Spelled: what is this cereal and how tasty is it to cook?

Cereals - a classic type of food, used by various nations. However, among them there are species that are underestimated or undeservedly forgotten.One of them is just half a grain.

Spelled is a product that is now known only to a narrow circle of people. Moreover, even many experienced cooks with experience have never taken such cereal in their hands. Biologists also attribute spelled to the genus Wheat. Its grains are covered with foil, and the spike breaks easily. Strictly speaking, spelled is not one plant, but several species at once:

• bicussetted wheat;
• single-grain with one or two spines;
• Urart wheat.

These are wild species. In agriculture, are used:

• single grain kernel;
• dvuziernyanka;
• spelled;
• Timofeev's wheat;
• Mach wheat.

The greatest value among the plants, called in everyday life spelled, has a duper. Films in any spelled are not violated during threshing. Spike painted in brick color. Dvuziernyanka - a plant with minimal moodiness, besides, it matures quickly. The grass resists fungal infections well.

For the first time the spelled began to grow even 7 thousand years ago. In any case, this is precisely the latest data from archaeological research. But the peak of success with this grass was reached in ancient Roman and ancient Greek civilizations. Then he began to be used even in religious rituals. In Eastern Europe, spelled began to be used from the 10th century.

The dwutter with its unpretentiousness to weather conditions experienced both severe winters and prolonged droughts. However, already in the Middle Ages, farmers were upset by the difficulty of cleaning the spike and the low fertility of the plant. Getting flour from wheat and rye was much easier. Therefore, in the XIX century, spelled rapidly replaced by softer and more convenient to handle grain crops.

But modern nutritionists believe that this was completely unjustified. They argue that the increase in the prevalence of many diseases is associated precisely with avoiding the use of spelled and other ancient plants.

The benefit of the ancient relative of wheat is connected with the fact that it is not very susceptible to the treatment with mineral fertilizers. Therefore, even large farms are unprofitable to use them. For the consumer, this moment is useful because the grains do not contain harmful components. Another plus: spelled products are exclusive and allow you to be proud of their status.

Spelled far ahead of cultured wheat in protein concentration. It accounts for 37%, which allows to guarantee long-term saturation. Wild wheat has saved the original genetic code. Yes, and in chemical composition, it meets environmental standards. Spelled tree is rich in folic acid (100 g of the product contain 14% of the daily standard).

Also, cereal grains include a noticeable amount of tocopherol and B vitamins. There are also minerals in them. The highest concentration (in relation to daily consumption):

• manganese;
• phosphorus;
• gland;
• magnesium;
• copper;
• Selena.

The presence of zinc and sodium, potassium and calcium is also worth noting. Aspirants to reduce body weight can safely use half a cup of cereal. Thanks to the vitamin B6 contained in it, the output of bad cholesterol is activated. This porridge can also be included in the diet of children and professional athletes. The lack of gluten helps you safely eat food from spelled even celiac disease.

Even in ground form, the sheath of the grain of the dwarf remains healthy. The one who systematically eats half a meal, less likely to suffer from problems with digestion. There is a stabilization of the emotional sphere. The nervous system works more efficiently, the metabolism and heart activity is normalized. Spelled reduces the risk of cancer processes, and the only potential danger of its use is personal intolerance.

To get an attractive result, it is advisable to buy half the grain in specialized stores that sell healthy food.It is recommended to check whether the packaging is sealed, if the cereal has not expired. But the fast food product is not worth taking. Much better than coarsely ground grits. High-quality product does not include the raw grains, in addition, it necessarily has a golden color.

The traditional method of storage involves the use of linen bags. Now much more often used hermetic containers, which are put in the refrigerator. Even this method allows to increase the shelf life of only up to 9 months. In this case, the humidity is limited to 80%, temperature - 20 degrees. You can not put cereal near food that smells strongly; especially bad neighbors - dried meat and seafood.

The attractiveness of spelled increases even because it is made without heat treatment. The main components are just in such proportion that meets the needs of the person. Regular consumption of spelled boosts immunity and optimizes blood circulation. It has a positive effect on the reproductive system and helps get rid of chronic fatigue. There is an increase in memory, increased ability to focus on something.

Spelled is recommended for those who suffer from:

• diabetes;
• systematic respiratory diseases;
• avitaminosis;
• overweight;
• nail problems;
• unnecessarily large physical and intellectual loads;
• impairment of hair.

The caloric value of 100 g of dry half-grain is 339 kcal, or 16.4% of the daily norm of an adult person engaged in intellectual work. After cooking, the nutritional value of spelled decreases to 127 kcal, or up to 6.1% of the standard daily rate. A teaspoon of cereal contains 3 kcal, in the dining room - 15, and in a glass - 254 kcal. Half-grain is acceptable in the menu during pregnancy, you can also give it to small children without hesitation.

Pure and grinded wheat flour can be used to produce:

• pasta;
• soups;
• side dishes;
• of bread.

Most consumers try to cook for breakfast cereal from spelled with milk. But there are some culinary experts who recommend cooking it in water. Of course, the lack of milk in the recipe lowers calorie content. At the same time, the taste of the dish is worse.

Standard proportions:

• about 200 g spelled;
• 700 g of pure water;
• table salt, butter and beet sugar (selected individually);
• olive oil (15 g).

This dosage is designed for 1 adult serving. The croup needs to be thoroughly picked and rinsed. To vary the consistency, add less or more water. Cooking time is approximately 5 minutes. But if the heating is very small, it increases to 40 minutes - while the dish is required to systematically stir.

It will be correct to serve cooked porridge immediately, as soon as it is ready. You can improve the taste of the dish by adding olive or butter to it. Approximately the same approach is also practiced when cooking half a cup of milk porridge. Then 400-500 g of milk should be consumed for 300 g of water.

The Armenian version differs from the two classic recipes; it is necessarily prepared with meat and mushrooms.

For 1 portion there are 4 mushrooms, 2 onions and 2 carrots, 300 g of chicken breast. Improve the taste of the finished dish helps advance roasting peeled and diced mushrooms and vegetables. Fry them strictly in olive oil. Ideally, use a slow cooker in baking mode. Reducing the duration of the processing of cereals helps soaking for 12 hours in cold water.

You can get sweet porridge from spelled. They are prepared by supplementing the dish with an increased amount of sugar. A more natural option involves the use of sliced ​​dried fruit, fresh fruit, raisins and nuts. Another way: before serving, add a small amount of honey.

Spelled not bad for cooking not only cereals, but also soups. Moreover, it is suitable for desserts and various salads. There are options for stuffed cabbage and pilaf, where this cereal successfully replaces rice. Spelled suitable for stuffing a variety of stewed vegetables. A good idea would be to share the old plant with other grains.

Small porridges can become a harmonious part of baby food. Just in this case, it is most appropriate to supplement them with sweet additives. But it is necessary to take into account all the subtleties and nuances, the likely increase in calories. The duration of cooking spelled porridge over medium heat is 30 minutes. Salt and sugar are added only at the very end of cooking, when they no longer affect the dish characteristics in an unpredictable way.

To cook a dish in a slow cooker is best in special mode. Some cooks advise to improve the porridge with vanilla sugar. The feed will be more pleasant if you lay out the boiled grits in the form of a hill, and put the berries and fruits crushed to a uniform state in a recess in its middle.

To get an excellent side dish for meat of various types, you can use regular porridge. Add spices and steamed vegetables to it. Sauce helps to complete the formation of the dish. The choice of sauce is individual each time. In any case, special attention is paid to the washing of the grains - for it they use both a sieve and just a large-capacity container.

Another option garnish involves the use of walnuts, mushrooms, carrots, onions, beef broth and butter. The addition of salt and pepper is done on your own. But you need to hurry with it in order to have time before frying is started in the slow cooker. Whatever dish is prepared from half the grain, soaking it in milk or plain water is necessary. This is a guarantee of obtaining a crumbly dish, the grains in which are not firmly glued together.

If there is no multicooker or a Russian stove, an oven or a pan for cooking milk helps to imitate the conditions in them. To guarantee a tasty side dish, you can use a double (with respect to cereal) water. When the dish is prepared for children, sometimes 5 parts of water are consumed for 1 part of spelled. In the process of cooking the grits are periodically stirred. Stop burning can be due to the addition of a small amount of hot water.

About what is spelled and how to cook it, see the next video.