I'm always looking for frugal recipes to help spread my family's grocery budget. I also like quick and easy breakfasts. These two things don't always go together. Purchased cereal is expensive and full of sugar and other yucky stuffnot exactly nutritious! So here are some recipes that my family is using to spread our grocery budget, yet still quick and easy for busy mornings.

Bread Cereal

3 cups diced whole grain bread (about 8 slices or 1/2 lb.)
4 cups milk
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup bran
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce heat and cook gently, mashing bread with a fork, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Serve with additional milk and raisins, chopped nuts or other cereal garnish. Makes 4 large servings.

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Cracked Rice Cereal

1 cup raw brown rice
4 cups milk
1/2 cup raisins

Grind rice to one half its size in the blender. Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, cover and simmer gently until rice is thick and tender, about 20 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

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Sweet Breakfast Couscous

3 cups skim milk
3 tbsp. peanut butter
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup couscous
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Bring milk, peanut butter and raisins to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and return to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 10 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

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Hot Raisin Bran

3 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup wheat germ
2/3 cup bran
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2 tbsp. raisins

Bring water to boil. Stir in remaining ingredients and cook gently 10 minutes. Serve with additional milk, plus honey or molasses to taste. Makes 4 servings.

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Peanut Butter Granola

2-3/4 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup raisins

Stir together oats, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds in a mixing bowl. Heat oil and honey in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir in peanut butter while mixture is still warm, blending well. Pour resulting mixture over dry ingredients; mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Spread on 11 x 16" cookie sheet with sides. Bake at 225 for 1 hour. Remove from oven, cool, and add raisins. Yields 5 cups.

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Wheat Flakes

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup peanut butter
about 3/4 cup water

Combine flours, wheat germ and salt. Beat peanut butter with water until smooth, then add to dry ingredients to make a soft dough. Add a tbsp. or two of water if necessary to make a dough that can be rolled. Roll out between two sheets of waxed paper as thin as possible. It is easier to divide the dough into 2 or 4 pieces to roll. Place rolled dough on oiled cookie sheets and bake in a 350 oven for 15-20 minutes, until lightly browned and crisp. If dough is not completely dry, turn the oven off and let dough remain until it is easily crushed. Break into small pieces by placing in a plastic bag and pounding or rolling with a rolling pin. Store in an airtight container. Makes 10 oz. cereal.

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Apple Grist

1/2 cup bran
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup milk
Cinnamon, raisins, nuts, unsweetened coconut, additional milk etc.

Combine bran, wheat germ, applesauce and milk. Let soften a few minutes and when liquid is absorbed, spoon into serving bowls. Garnish to taste with cinnamon, raisins, nuts, coconut and additional milk as desired. Makes 4 servings.