Rainy Mondays must have made many a '40s housewife heave a mighty sigh. Did they give up and do the laundry the following day - hoping for sun? Did the power of the routine hold 'em to it as they scurried to find a way to hang all their wet laundry indoors?
Well, the laundry got done on this rainy morning in 2009 and I treated myself to a little something "
new" for breakfast. Prepared Cereal was on the menu this morning, and Grape-Nuts fit the bill nicely. Grape-Nuts and Grape-Nuts Flakes have been around since long before the 1940s. (A fresh, local pink grapefruit made the perfect fruit course.)I've been looking about for a whole wheat cereal from the '40s that I might be able to serve hot. Something that might be period appropriate when Cooked Whole-wheat Cereal pops up on the breakfast menu. Grape-Nuts is whole-wheat - well, at least partially. It's part barley, too. And I vaguely remember that they used to advertise a Grape Nuts Hot recipe on the back of the box. Do any of you remember the directions?
9 comments:
This recipe seems to be the average of those out there. Hope it helps!
HOT GRAPE NUTS CEREAL
1/4 c. Grape Nuts cereal
1/3 c. milk
1 tsp. honey or brown sugar
1 tsp. butter
Combine in saucepan, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Makes 1 serving.
I wish my "Inner Housekeeper" would come to life! So far, all I've heard is my "Inner Embroiderer" telling me to embroider pretty things on my aprons and dish towels - not the same thing as doing the laundry and ironing sheets at all!
You can also just nuke the cereal in the microwave. That's how my grandmother used to make it for me! With a dollop of honey on top. I think she set it for 30 seconds...
At 4:30 in the morning, all I'd have is an "inner sleeper"!! Good for your for following through with your task.
But I do have to add that I'm currently in the process of trying to locate my "inner housekeeper", she seems to be hiding somewhere. She has made the occasional appearance in the form of Betty Crocker, but she doesn't stick around very long ... she must be scared of such foreign territory!!
Felicity and Emer, thanks for the tips on eating Grape Nuts hot! I'm looking forward to a bowl this morning...
prairieknitter and Jackie, believe me - I've never encountered any kind of inner housekeeper before yesterday. It's too bad all our inner selves can't get together and have tea. (Psst - Make sure Inner Embroiderer brings over some of those pretty dish towels!) I'm very glad that Wash Day is the only time I have to get up quite that early.
Martinha, thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you'll stop by again.
ooh honey what a great 1940's woman...granny would say never put off til tomorrow what you can acomplish today...oooooh my ooooh my it rings true....the grape nuts...hot what comfort! hope you enjoy...i would sprinkle a lil' brown sugar for sure doll...cat
Cat, thanks for dropping by with some words of wisdom from Granny! It reminds me of my own grandmothers. Once upon a time - not that long ago - they were keeping house with so many less conveniences than I have. And with children to care for! Gardens, jobs, etc. It makes me realize just how easy I have it...
I just finished a book called "Grandmother's Wartime Kitchen" and there is actually a recipe in there for a "meat" patty made with lentils and Grape Nuts.
Grape Nuts certainly hold up pretty well when they're heated, so I can see why they incorporated them in that recipe for the meatless patty. The taste is a bit off, for me, though. I think I'll stick to Grape Nuts Cold - and in a bowl!
Shay, I've heard good things about that book. I should probably get a copy - it may come in especially handy if this recession gets much worse.
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