Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to soak amaranth before cooking? ›

Soaking: If you have the time, consider soaking the amaranth overnight before cooking. "Soaking the grains makes their nutrients easier to digest and shortens the cooking time," says Ziata. Simply combine amaranth and water in a large bowl, completely submerging the grains.

Popped amaranth makes a delicious light and fluffy breakfast cereal. Mix it with milk, soymilk or yogurt. Combine it with oats and add fresh or dried fruits - just like regular cereals. You can prepare them as a savory snack as well.

Whichever porridge you choose, make it with low-fat milk or water to keep the calories down and minimise saturated fat, especially if you are trying to lower your cholesterol levels. Don't add salt, as an excess intake can raise your blood pressure over time, and avoid adding sugar, syrup or honey.

Amaranth is an ancient grain with a slightly sweet, nutty taste that works well in place of oatmeal. In addition to being gluten-free, amaranth is a good source of several key nutrients, including protein, fiber, iron, and manganese ( 1 ).

Angelone says amaranth should be rinsed before cooking in order to eliminate saponin, a naturally occurring phytochemical that gives the unwashed grain a bitter taste.

While quinoa has proteins as good as 8 grams per cup, amaranth has 9 grams per cup. Amaranth has double the protein than rice or wheat, Makhija added. Quinoa has 3 grams of iron per cup and amaranth has 5 grams of iron in the same quantity which makes it a richer food, she points out.

Avoid eating too much amaranth from agricultural fields. The leaves (like those of spinach, sorrel and many other greens) also contain oxalic acid, which can be poisonous to livestock or to humans with kidney issues of eaten in large amounts.

The nutrients in amaranth can offer significant health benefits as a part of a healthy diet. It's a source of vitamin C, which is vital to the body's healing process because it helps process iron, form blood vessels, repair muscle tissue, and maintain collagen.

The Verdict. In this scenario, eggs on toast is the breakfast winner due to their protein and complex carb double whammy - it's especially good if you're trying to keep yourself full till lunch. Don't ditch the porridge straight away though, add some greek yoghurt, nut butter and/or seeds for an added protein punch.

What is porridge called in America? ›

It is known as simply "porridge" or, more commonly in the United States and Canada, "oatmeal". In the US, oat and wheat porridge can both be called "hot cereal". Rolled oats are commonly used in England, oatmeal in Scotland and steel-cut oats in Ireland.

"The traditional porridge must be made with untreated oatmeal (not with oat flakes/rolled oats) and with only water and salt added. Any porridge made with oats other than oatmeal will be disqualified. Competitors, who prefer to 'soak' their oatmeal, may do so, but no prior cooking is allowed."

Not adding salt

Whether you're making savory or sweet oatmeal, you need to add a pinch of salt. Always. Do it at the beginning of cooking, and your porridge will taste nutty, toasty, and delicious—not boring and glue-like. (If you do it at the end, then your oatmeal will just taste weirdly salty.

To activate amaranth grain, soak your amaranth grain in water for at least 8 hours (and up to 24).

Step 2: Soak: When possible soak amaranth overnight to improve digestion and increase the absorption of nutrients. For every 1 cup grain add 1 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar (ACV) or lemon juice, cover and soak in filtered water overnight at room temperature.

With an earthy, nutty flavor, amaranth is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every snack in between. For a pilaf, bring 1 ½ cups water and ¼ teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add amaranth, reduce heat and simmer, cover until liquid is absorbed, which will be about 20 minutes.