Friday 20 September 2013

Time to jump on the Grain Train?



Woah! Grains are the most fashionable food on the planet right now. Taylor Swift's been instagramming buckwheat pancakes, Jennifer Aniston's cooing over quinoa (pronounced keen-noir), Eva Mendes raves about aramanth - and for good reason. Supergrain recipes are full of fibre, antioxidants and protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer.

So here I'm introducing the 5 Supergrain Heroes here to solve your energy dips with some simple recipe tips.

AMARANTH
Turn it into ah-maize-ing popcorn without the corn....
Spread 1 tbsp amaranth over the base of a hot pan and cover. Keep moving the pan around and listen to the amaranth pop, stop before they're all popped or you may risk burning them.

QUINOA
A Toast to it......
Boil for 15 mins, then pop in a hot oven, toasting until its cccccrunchy. Did you know Kate Moss starts her day with toasted quinoa? (well if it's good enough for her)


BLACK RICE
Lighten up a pudding with black rice....
Make rice pudding with black not white rice plus swap  cow's milk for coconut milk and sweetener, honey or palm sugar. (Be warned: It's life changing good)

SPELT OR PEARL BARLEY
Do I have to spell it out to you? Stir up a rissotto with spelt....
Put your fancy rissotto rice aside and use spelt or pearl barley for an earthy-tasting rich dish.


MILLET
Don't mill about, Make millet into muesli...
Add millet or quinoa flakes to porridge made with oats, and stir in some sunflower or sesame seeds for added bite.


Now Introducing The Healthiest Breakfast Ever
Despite not being a grain (it's officially a seed) quinoa is the 'pioneer' of the supergrain movement. Don't think this versatile little high-fibre and protein-rich megastar is simply a side dish. Quinoa makes the perfect porridge. It make take a few extra minutes to prepare but make big batches and keep in the fridge to reheat. (or try cold....it becomes a lovely muesli style medley)



Quinoa POWER Porridge (I promise this will live up to its name)

(enough for 5 servings)

400ml (almond or skimmed) milk
180g quinoa
1 grated apple
2  tbsp flaked almonds
1 tsp cinnamon
runny honey to serve
greek yoghurt to serve

1. Bring the milk to the boil, add the quinoa and serve. Gently simmer for  15 mins with the lid on until absorbed and quinoa cooked.
2. Stir through the apple and flaked almonds, and serve the yoghurt, cinnamon and honey.
BOOM!

Introducing the Nourishing Speedy Salad for lunch or dinner
Like quinoa, amaranth is a great source of fibre and protein, plus it's full of magnesium and nutrients like magnesium and iron that many of us are deficient in.

Andean Grain and Salmon Salad


40 - 50g Andean mix (combo of amaranth and red, white and black quinoa found in health food shops or aisles of supermarkets)
1 - 2 tsp olive oil
100g salmon fillets (or smoked salmon)
60g sugar snap peas
1- 2 tsp lemon juice and some lemon zest
1/2 tsp sugar
a handful red grapes
handful of watercress
40 - 50 g feta cheese
handful of cut chives

1. Cook the grains and set aside
2. Brush salmon with oil and cook or sear (or use ready cooked smoked salmon)
3. Blanch peas in boiling water until tender.
4. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, zest and caster sugar together combining with other ingredients to toss together and serve immediately.

MMMMMmmm

Watch out more dessert recipes using supergrains to come

Live Healthy, Love Life x

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