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Grandpa's Cereal
Plain yogurt makes breakfast fast, healthy, and tasty.
Food styled by Lara Miklasevics
Breakfast is an important meal at our house, but slinging hash isn’t always easy: After all, before 7:45 each morning my husband and I have to rouse sleepyheads, pack lunches, locate wayward shoes, get dressed, and sign homework.
Over the years I’ve learned to plan ahead for breakfast, and plain organic yogurt is key. Although my three children snack on the individual containers of sweetened yogurts, I think it’s the plain yogurt that gets their day off on the right foot. High in calcium and protein, plain yogurt, when incorporated into other dishes, is a good choice for those who can’t gulp milk in the morning. And, because many brands boast six live active cultures, the plain yogurt offers an excellent boost to the digestive system.
How to choose between the nonfat, low fat, and whole milk options? Although the nonfat option has obvious slimming benefits, the whole milk option gives a richer flavor and consistency. Weighing in with eight grams of fat per cup, the whole milk yogurt has always been my first choice when making my family’s favorite muesli—Grandpa’s Cereal.
Originally concocted fourteen years ago by my father-in-law, this cold cereal has stood the test of time. My kids have grown up on it, and I love it because I can prepare it the night before and stash it in the fridge until the morning. Fresh berries are the favorite accompaniment, but toasted slivered almonds, sliced bananas, and grated apple work nicely too. When packed into a chubby Thermos, Grandpa’s Cereal makes a convenient, healthy, and inexpensive breakfast to go!
Grandpa’s Cereal
Serves 4
The cereal thickens considerably as it soaks overnight. Hence, plan to add extra milk in the morning in order to soften and loosen the muesli.
1 cup low-fat milk, plus additional in the morning if desired
1 cup whole milk plain yogurt, plus additional for the morning
2 tablespoons honey, or to taste
2 cups instant oatmeal, preferably McCann’s Irish oatmeal
fresh berries, sliced bananas or grated apple if desired
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, yogurt, and honey. Add the oatmeal and stir well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, stir the muesli well and add additional milk as desired to loosen and soften the muesli. Serve with fresh berries, sliced bananas or grated apple if desired. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
6 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
