Barley Oatmeal With Apricots and Prunes

Cold rainy coastal mornings call for porridge breakfasts. With leftover barley soaking from the night before, I decided to diverge from the oatmeal norm. A few chopped dried apricots and prunes, a swirl of cream and sugar, and a splash of cinnamon later, and this dish was ready. Made for cold mornings in bed with a book, barley oatmeal with apricots and prunes will warm a cold stomach or a winter's day.

Barley Oatmeal with Apricots and Prunes
serves four

1 cup barley, boiled
1/3 cup cream
1/4 cup sugar
8 dried apricots, diced
7 dried prunes, diced
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Boil the barley for 10 minutes, or until soft. While the barley boils, dice the apricots and prunes. Drain the barley.
2. Return the barley to the pot. Stir in the cream and sugar.
3. Add the dried fruits and cinnamon. Stir and serve.