How to cook delicious barley porridge with milk?
In Russia, for a long time one of the most significant dishes, which should always be present on the table, was porridge.A sufficient amount of cereals is used for their preparation. But at the same time, over the past few decades, much less attention has been paid to products of this type, which is completely unreasonable and sometimes harmful to the body.
Benefit and harm
No nutritionist, if he really values his own reputation, will not say that there is food, the use of which will be equally useful for all categories of people. Barley porridge is no exception. For its preparation, crushed barley is used, and depending on the size of the kernels, it is possible to speak of the appropriation of the variety.
The fundamental principle in this case is not amenable to the grinding process, due to which it becomes even more realistic to preserve the maximum amount of fiber. And also carried out cleaning from organic and mineral impurities. Barley cereals contain such well-known vitamins as A, PP, E, as well as B vitamins. As for microelements, the greatest concentration belongs to magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium.
Regular use of barley porridge is necessary for people who have problems in the functioning of the stomach and intestines, which is caused by a significant (about 6%) fiber content. Thanks to it, the process of cleansing the body of toxins, the normalization of the digestive process. But if surgery has recently taken place, before eating barley porridge for food, you should consult with your doctor.
The protein content in barley porridge is also significant, and in terms of its nutritional value, it is much better than a similar substance found in wheat cereal. A positive moment can also be considered as its ability to fully assimilate. By the degree of their nutritional value, barley porridge is quite useful, as it helps to satisfy hunger for a minimum period and at the same time does not face the need to get rid of extra kilos.
According to nutritionists, thanks to the ease of digestion, barley grain can be used for dietary and baby food (in its performance, it is much better than barley). Many housewives like the fact that its level of cost is much lower compared to other similar cereals, which is important in modern conditions.
There are also criteria, considering which it is possible to form an idea of all the most useful qualities:
- regular use of barley cereals helps to get rid of the tendency to allergic reactions;
- Barley is characterized by enveloping, diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, which makes it possible to use it effectively in the treatment of obesity, as well as diabetes;
- pleasant taste of cereals will help to use it in the required quantities;
- Barley porridge can be considered as a universal remedy necessary for the treatment of disorders in the endocrine and urogenital systems;
- The unique composition of the minerals that make up this cereal helps to cope with depression, as well as to overcome stress, which is extremely important in modern conditions;
- Barley grits contain enough amino acids, including the beginning of the process of active production of collagen, smoothing wrinkles, normalization of the skin, nails and hair.
Earlier, it was noted that barley porridge is characterized by certain negative characteristics that must be taken into account by certain categories of people. Initially, it is worth noting that excessive use of the product can trigger the development of individual intolerance with all the ensuing consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce it into the diet no more than several times a week. It is completely unacceptable to use it at the stage of exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
If you cook the barley porridge correctly, so that it is liquid and without additives, then it will have a minimum amount of calories.
Selection of ingredients
Since barley porridge is represented in stores in different varieties, it is necessary to pay attention to which of them can be rated as the most acceptable. It is necessary to proceed both from personal feelings after use, and from taste.
Barley porridge can be cooked with both milk and water. In any case, it is necessary to take their choice as responsibly as possible. When it comes to the use of water, it must necessarily undergo a filtration process (sometimes the corresponding run must be performed several times, since both the liquid itself and the pipes, due to which the process of its delivery to the living quarters takes place, leaves much to be desired). In no case is it recommended to use soda water.because the carbon dioxide emitted during the cooking process is unable to completely dissolve and in some cases gives the dish a rather specific flavor that can spoil the original taste.
In the case of milk, the situation is even more complicated. Contrary to popular belief about the benefits of fresh milk, it is best, if we are talking about cooking a dish, at which the addition of this product occurs at the final stage, and heat treatment is not expected, to succumb to its boiling process. Barley porridge is often regarded as an indispensable product in the diet. therefore it is not recommended to fill it with milk with a high percentage of fat, as it can damage and taste, and minimize all useful properties.
For the same reason, it is undesirable to add a lot of butter and spices to the yachts. It is necessary to sort out the grits themselves before cooking and rinse them several times under warm running water. This will allow not only to clean it from impurities, but also to reduce the cooking time without causing special harm to taste.
Step-by-step recipes
Consider options for cooking barley porridge with various kitchen appliances.
In the pan
To enjoy barley porridge cooked in milk, you do not need to spend a lot of time and effort, or to have some kind of overly advanced kitchen appliances. To do this, simply take the following components:
- half a cup of barley cereals (which is about 100 grams);
- a glass of milk;
- half a glass of filtered water;
- on a pinch of sugar and salt;
- dried fruits (it is necessary to use them based on their own preferences, but the most common options are raisins, some varieties of figs and prunes, and dried apricots).
At the initial stage of preparation, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare the cereal, which consists in washing it, until the flowing water becomes completely transparent. The duration of cooking cereal without causing any special harm to its taste can be reduced if it is soaked in water for at least 3 hours. Then cooking should not exceed 15 minutes.
Pour water into a prepared container and bring it to a boil. To preserve the taste of barley grits, the process of its preparation should be carried out in tanks with thick walls and bottom. The best option may be a cauldron made of cast iron. Once the process has begun to boil, you need to add cereal, as well as seasonings, depending on individual preferences.
It should not be overlooked that the sweeter the barley porridge cooked in milk is, the higher its caloric level is. Watch for this indicator is necessary not only for people seeking to lose weight, but also for all who follow a certain diet according to medical indicators.
After this mixture begins to thicken, you must gradually pour milk into it. It is desirable to heat it well or bring it to a boil, so that this component, when introduced into the main product, has room temperature. An alternative option may be dry milk, which in accordance with the instructions was previously diluted with water.
To avoid burning, it is recommended to stir the porridge constantly, the optimal period of its preparation is no more than 10 minutes, after which butter is added, and the product remains to grow. Make the cooking process is best on medium heat. In the meantime, the dried fruit must be cut into medium pieces and added to the final product.
In the slow cooker
Every year, an increasing number of people, instead of the long-customary methods of preparation, use alternatives. For example, can be used multicooker. The cost of resources in such a case is much less, but the product obtained at the output, has a pleasant taste and the maximum content of all nutrients. To implement one of the recipes you will need the following ingredients:
- ½ measuring cup barley porridge;
- salt and sugar (their amount depends on the taste of each individual person);
- 1 glass of milk and water;
- small amount of butter.
Initially, croup is poured into the bowl of a household appliance. The best way to use varieties of fine grinding, which will allow porridge to cook simultaneously and quickly, and to preserve all the necessary qualities, as well as to make it taste much more tender. After that sugar is added and, if there is such a desire, butter. In the opinion of many housewives, even without the use of such a component, the food will turn out to be quite tasty and nutritious.
To get a porridge of medium thickness, it is necessary to add milk and water in equal proportions. In order to obtain opposite variants, it is necessary to vary their content. After that, in order to avoid mechanical damage to the surface of the bowl, it is necessary to mix all the components using a special wooden spoon.
For the cooking process is best to choose the mode "Milk porridge." In this case, the duration of preparation takes no more than half an hour. To get an even more delicious and healthy dish, you can add sliced or grated fruits, as well as nuts.
In the microwave
Microwaves for a long period have ceased to be considered simply as a device for heating food. In certain cases, it must be used to make barley porridge with milk. The implementation of this recipe requires the use of the following ingredients:
- about a glass of (standard) barley porridge;
- 1.5 cups of purified water and nonfat milk;
- butter;
- spices (at least salt and sugar based on individual taste preferences);
- fruits or vegetables (their use is not mandatory, but allows for a minimum period of time to give the product a more pleasant taste, and much more useful).
For a safe cooking process, it is necessary to use the deepest glass container into which the grain is poured, everything is filled with water, and salt is added. The capacity to put in the microwave on average for about 10 minutes. Under optimal cooking conditions, this time should be enough to produce a suitable product.
After this, the addition of milk and butter occurs, and the cereal is further placed for no more than 3 minutes for the final preparation. If you have such a desire, you can add apples and pumpkin to the porridge, or a mixture of fresh and dried fruits based on your own preferences. Sugar can be replaced by honey. If we are talking about diet, you can refuse it altogether.
Thus, the use of barley cereals makes it possible to save the family budget, regularly receive a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, and also pleasantly surprise households and friends with their culinary capabilities. The main thing is to competently approach the selection and subsequent implementation of the recipes.
How to cook barley porridge on milk in a slow cooker, see the next video.