NEW YEAR, NEW MENU GRAINS: MILLET
While you will probably recognize millet as being one of the main ingredients in birdseed, this wonderful grain is anything but "for the birds." It is a delicious grain and consistency can vary depending upon cooking method; it can be creamy like mashed potatoes or fluffy like rice. Millet is a delicious grain that can accompany many types of food. Additionally, since millet does not contain gluten, it is a wonderful grain alternative for people who are gluten-sensitive.
Tips for Preparing and Cooking Like all grains, before cooking millet rinse it thoroughly under running water. After rinsing, add one part millet to two and a half parts boiling water or broth. After the liquid has returned to a boil, turn down the heat, cover and simmer for about 25 minutes. The texture of millet cooked this way will be fluffy like rice. If you want the millet to
have a more creamy consistency, stir it frequently adding a little water every now and then. To get a nuttier flavour to the cooked millet roast the grains first before boiling. To do this, place the grains in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir them frequently. When they have achieved a golden colour add them to the boiling cooking liquid.
How to Enjoy Cooked millet can be served as a breakfast porridge to which you can add your favourite nuts and fruits.
Ground millet can be added to bread and muffin recipes.
Toss cooked and chilled millet with your favourite chopped vegetables and either chicken or baked tofu cubes. Add dressing and there you have an easy to prepare, delicious meal.
Next time you are looking for an alternative to rice or potatoes, serve millet instead.
GRAINS: SPELT GRAINS: BARLEY
When the weather's cold, a big pot of soup simmering on the stove warms the heart as well as the hearth. Adding some whole grain barley to the pot will improve your health along with the flavour of whatever soup or stew you're cooking. In addition to its robust flavour, barley's claim to nutritional fame is based on it being a very good source of fibre and selenium, and a good source of phosphorus, copper and manganese.
Barley is a wonderfully versatile cereal grain with a rich nutlike flavour and an appealing chewy, pasta-like consistency.
Tips for Preparing and Cooking Like all grains, before cooking barley, rinse it thoroughly under running water. After rinsing, add one part barley to three and a half parts boiling water or broth. After the liquid has returned to a boil turn down the heat, cover and simmer. Pearled barley should be simmered for about one hour while hulled barley should be cooked for about 90 minutes.
How to Enjoy Mix barley flour with wheat flour to make breads and muffins that have a uniquely sweet and earthy taste.
Use cracked barley or barley flakes to make hot cereal. Toss chilled cooked hulled barley with chopped vegetables and dressing to make a tasty cold salad.
Add barley to your favourite stews and soups to give them extra heartiness and flavour.
Combine cooked barley and healthy sautéed mushrooms for a pilaf with an Eastern European twist.
Spelt is an ancient grain with a deep nutlike flavour that traces its heritage back long before many wheat hybrids. Many of its benefits come from the fact that it offers a broader spectrum of nutrients compared to many of its more inbred cousins in the wheat family. It can be used in many of the same ways as wheat including bread and pasta making. Spelt does not seem to cause sensitivities in many people who are intolerant of wheat.
Tips for Preparing and cooking Spelt As with all grains, before cooking spelt berries rinse them thoroughly under running water. After rinsing, soak spelt in water for eight hours or overnight. Drain, rinse and then add three parts water to each one part spelt berries. Bring to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for about one hour.
How to Enjoy A Few Quick Serving Ideas
Use spelt bread for your next hearty sandwich. Spelt's robust flavour really enhances old favourites like grilled cheese.
Serve cooked spelt berries as a side dish substitute for rice or potatoes.
Combine spelt pasta with olives, tomatoes and feta cheese for a quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired salad.
Add some spelt flour to your favourite bread, muffin or waffle recipe.
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