One of the most popular hot breakfast porridges in the Slavic culture is mannaya kasha (Манная Каша), which is known as cream of wheat in English. This creamy cereal is a favorite with children but is enjoyed by many adults too.
1 cup liquid (milk and water – I use 1/2 milk, 1/2 water)
1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons uncooked cream of wheat cereal or mannaya krupa
To Serve:
pat of butter
pinch of salt
sprinkling of sugar
Pour the milk and water into a saucepan or pot. Add the uncooked cream of wheat cereal or mannaya krupa, mixing to combine.
Turn on the heat to medium high heat and bring it to a boil, whisking frequently, so keep lumps from forming. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, just until the cereal thickens.
Add the butter, salt and sugar to taste and serve warm.
Adding 1 1/2 Tablespoons of cereal to 1 cup milk+water will result in a porridge that is thinner in consistency – the way it is shown in all the pictures. Keep in mind that it will look a lot thinner when you just turn off the stove and will thicken up even more as the porridge stands, cools off a bit and has a chance to expand a bit.
If you like a thicker porridge, add 2 Tablespoons of cereal per 1 cup of milk.