How To Cook Amaranth

Amaranth is known to be a highly nutritious plant that has existed for many centuries. Amaranth was a staple in the early days of pre-Columbian Aztecs. A majority of people also believed that the Amaranth plant had powers and this meant that the plant was always present in any religious occasion, which is one of the reasons that the plant almost went extinct. The seed of amaranth was grinded and mixed with honey as well as human blood for it to be taken during the ceremonies. The amaranth used to be shaped as into idols before being taken and this led to the association to human sacrifices to be banned.

For example Spain has banned the growth or consumption of amaranth although some people continued to cultivate them in the Andes as well as the Mexico regions. Amaranth can be found in the everyday guide of several countries such as Peru where it is used to brew beer. The flowers of the amaranth plant can also be used to treat fever as well as toothaches. Amaranth is also a great food that you can use to color maize and quinoa. Amaranth can also be used for face painting. There are several ways of cooking amaranth. This plant was used differently in various countries and one of these is Spain where the ban of the plant did stop some people in cultivating them and this was mainly in the Andes and in Mexico. Amaranth is found in the everyday guide of several countries including Peru where its seeds are used for brewing beer. The amaranths flowers are also used to treat several diseases and ailments such as toothaches and fever. Amaranth can also be used to color other foods such as quinoa and maize. It can also be used for face painting. You can use one of the various methods available of preparing amaranth.

Here we are going to follow the basic steps of preparing amaranth. In order to be familiar with some of these ways of how to cook amaranth you will need to have several things and this will include a saucepan, 1 ? cups of water for every ? cup of amaranth and salt to taste. After gathering these things you should start by combining the water and the amaranth in the small saucepan and bring them to boil. You should then add a pinch of salt to taste and then reduce the heat followed by simmering for about 25 minutes. You should then cover the saucepan and cook in low heat.

After absorbing the water you should turn off the heat and let it cool before serving. You can add more salt after if there is need to do so. You can also choose to mix it with other tiny grains which may include teff or quinoa. These tiny grains are supposed to be cooked separately and you should follow the given instructions that are always on their packs. For those who will go with quinoa they should make sure that these grains are thoroughly rinsed before they are pot on the pot to cook.

The amaranth plant can be found in several food stores and they are mostly cooked as replacements for other dishes that may include pasta, rice, couscous and also quinoa. This plant is smaller that quinoa but contains twice as much calcium as the cows milk and also has three times more fiber than wheat. Amaranth is high in proteins and also much easier to digest than animal proteins. It also contains healthy fatty acids which require them to be stored in tightly sealed containers. Amaranth can be stir fried, roasted, sprouted, used to make porridge, used as flour as well as to make popcorn stacks.

By: Louise Kalyn

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This article touched the basics of the topic. I have 2 more resources related to the above. They are how to cook amaranth and at my blog at Everyday Guide. Do consider reading them.