Cream of Rice

1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
4 cups water
1 tablespoon maple syrup

Place the rice and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to the lowest setting; cover the pan and cook for 1 1/2 hours or until the rice is very soft and the mixture looks like thick oatmeal when stirred.

Place the rice mixture, half at a time, in a blender and process on low speed until smooth. Stir in the maple syrup. Serve hot.

Makes 4 servings.

NOTE: You can easily double this recipe. Store un- blended cooked rice in the refrigerator. Reheat just enough for individual breakfast portions, then blend before serving.

Almond Cream of Rice
Grind 1/4 cup almonds in the blender in short bursts at high speed before adding the cooked rice.

Strawberry Cream of Rice
Blend in strawberries.

You can also vary the recipe by blending in currants, raisins, blueberries or sliced peaches.