It’s June 3rd, and I have the heat on.

These rainy, misty days are my favorite days of summer.  They remind me of my childhood in New England with windy walks on beaches and pinewood fires in the center of drizzly campgrounds.  They were the days that gave us hope amidst the countless unbearably muggy days in between.

The chilly summer memories I hold most dear are the vacations we spent in Maine.   One early morning, while staying near friends, we ventured out to Blueberry Hill to pick blueberries.  On the way home, we found a red raspberry bush with the most delicious berries.  I still compare all raspberries to those I had on that vacation, and only rarely do I ever find one that rivals them in taste.

For many years, I thought that Robert McCloskey had based his book Blueberries for Sal on me, because my parents had taken a picture of me sitting amongst the blueberries on the same hill.  As a teenager, I discovered, much to my disappointment, that the book was published before I was born.

In the afternoons, we would run around with our friends’ Golden Retriever.  Her name was Sunshine, and till this day, if ever I hear the John Denver song “Sunshine on My Shoulder,” I think of those vacations in Maine and get a catch in my throat. (Yeah, I know, whatever.  I’m a sap.)

This Cream of Wheat with blueberries and maple syrup brought back my memories of Maine.

If you have never tried cream of wheat cooked in milk, then I would strongly suggest it.  It is like eating pudding for breakfast.  If you would like a vegan version of this recipe, that tastes like a creamy version of mangoes with sticky rice, substitute the milk for a cup of light coconut milk.  Follow the same cooking instructions, and garnish with turbinado sugar and mango.

All I did was follow the recipe on the box, but I’ll take you through it in my own words.

cream of wheat with blueberries

For each serving:

1 cup (240mL) milk
pinch salt
3 tablespoons instant cream of wheat or farina
1 teaspoon butter
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
blueberries

Heat up 1 cup of milk in a saucepan set over medium high heat.  Bring almost to a boil, then add in salt and cream of wheat.  Turn the heat to low, and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes (if your box says to cook yours for a different time, just follow what it says.  What do I know?).  Serve immediately and garnish with butter, maple syrup, and berries.

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12 Responses to “mornings in maine”

1. Laura says:

   3 June 2009 at 4:36 pm

   I have a box of cream of wheat in my pantry and a tupperware of leftover coconut milk from my smoothie yesterday. I am so excited for this.
2. heather says:

   3 June 2009 at 5:17 pm

   looks great! i have oats every morning and often have fresh blueberries and maple syrup. i could easily swap in some cream of wheat or grits, though!

   cheers,

   *heather*
3. Pamela says:

   3 June 2009 at 5:54 pm

   I was born minutes from that same hill and grew up reading that book on my mom’s lap. I am enjoying a cool June evening here in my house in Maine! Thank you for that post, how lovely. I think I’ll make this in the morning.
4. Brooke says:

   3 June 2009 at 8:54 pm

   Am so using my pantry can of coconut milk and fresh mangos to make myself a bowl of this tomorrow.

   I had to smile as I read your joy over these rainy days. I’ve been bemoaning them entirely, and hadn’t even considered enjoying them. Will have to reconsider.

   Blessings, my dear.
5. Connie (the write one) says:

   4 June 2009 at 11:07 am

   Lovely, lovely pictures.
6. emiglia says:

   4 June 2009 at 1:30 pm

   I’ve always loved that book!

   I make my cream of wheat with milk, but even more often, I make polenta with milk and maple syrup for breakfast. It’s so good with fresh berries… I’m partial to blackberries, but blueberries would be great too.
7. Adel says:

   7 June 2009 at 6:58 pm

   Aw, I really want some cream of wheat right now! Too bad it’s 9pm Can’t wait to get to the grocery store tomorrow!
8. Jen T says:

   9 June 2009 at 4:34 pm

   What a way to end the breakfast blah!!! Yummy! Thanks for sharing! We are getting close to blueberry picking season here! I am looking forward to that.
9. Abigail says:

   10 June 2009 at 3:55 am

   just discovered your (delicious) blog and i’ve already bookmarked a bunch of your recipes! but this one, oh how this one made me miss my home state of Maine so, so much more…
10. Malin says:

    10 June 2009 at 8:21 am

    That looks delicious! Even though I’m not sure what instant cream wheat is. Something like semolina? Can that be used instead?
    I would love to make this for breakfast as a change for my usual oatmeal porridge!

    by the way: your photos are beautiful!
11. Jude says:

    11 June 2009 at 4:38 pm

    I thought all people in Maine eat lobster rolls for breakfast? I know I would if I could
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