But note that it's a heavy flour, so you're best off limiting your amaranth flour to 1/4 of the total flour in your recipe, by weight, otherwise your baked goods will be extremely dense. Transfer the drained amaranth seeds … Fresh greens can be found in some well-stock grocery stores or Hispanic markers. Stores that have a decent selection of … For a porridge-like consistency, use slightly more water (three cups for one cup of grain) and cook a little longer. They only need brief cooking. The leaves can also be cooked and eaten like spinach or kale. Amaranth is power-packed with various healthy properties, including proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants and is full of fibre. How to Use Amaranth You can of course buy amaranth seeds off the shelves in speciality stores. Note that amaranth seeds are tiny, and although the popped amaranth will double in volume, even the popped kernels will still be very small. The seeds were mixed with honey to form cakes to use in religious ceremonies and then eaten. Amaranth can be enjoyed in both sweet and savory recipes. See more information under “culinary use”. So, I like to use all dry ingredients as soon as I can. Advertisement. Drain the seeds after 20 minutes of cooking if you used more water to start. Simmer it in a covered pan for approximately 20 minutes. The stems can be cut for greens several times as they sprout right back giving twice as many as before it was cut. Harvesting amaranth grains from all types of amaranth is okay but, in some arenas, mixing the black seed in with the paler grains is considered to be a contaminant, which is purely cosmetic in thinking since they are all edible. Amaranth, an important, protein-rich, dietary staple was forbidden. Easy Amaranth Recipes: Amaranth, also known as Ramdana, is one of the oldest grains that are cultivated in India. Amaranth seeds are edible. You could toast them lightly and add to your salads and stir fries, or grind them to a flour that can be used to thicken sauces and as an additive to wheat flour to make nutritious rotis. So when you're cooking amaranth, use three cups of liquid per half cup of uncooked amaranth, and cook it until the grains are soft (although they will retain a slight crunch). Regardless of how you harvest your amaranth seeds, you will need to winnow out the chaff from the seed. ! Therefore, adding amaranth to your daily diet will improve your health and keep you active. Amaranth seeds are packed with protein and fiber though they seem to also contain some chemical that inhibits their absorption. Luckily for us, and despite harsh attempts to eradicate the plant, the seed found its way around the world and now many cultures use amaranth’s leaves and grain. Use amaranth in savory dishes or as a sweet breakfast porridge. An amaranth plant produces multiple seed heads, each of which can yield up to 5,000 seeds. Especially with amaranth seeds, as they are hard, round, and easily bounce off the soil. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Amaranth is classified as a pseudocereal, meaning that it’s not technically a cereal grain like wheat or oats, but it shares a comparable set of nutrients and is used in similar ways. Use 1/2 cup amaranth to 1 1/2 cups water, broth, or liquid. I have personally collected amaranth seeds many times over the 35 years of living in Central America. Toast the amaranth seeds in a small pan until they become aromatic and light brown. Spoon 1 tablespoon amaranth into pan, and check to see that seeds almost immediately start popping. Use amaranth flour for making biscuits, pancakes, pastas or flat breads! The seeds are extremely nutritious and protein-packed with a … The Top 10 Reasons To Eat Amaranth Leaves. Nutritional Benefits of Amaranth . How to cook amaranth? Once you take your sieve stack apart, you will be left with one that contains only seeds. Aztec ritual. Turn off the heat, lift off the lid, and give the amaranth a good stir. The amaranth should soften in about 15 minutes and the water … A couple of tablespoons added while the soup is cooking is usually sufficient. You can use the popped amaranth in all kinds of ways, like sprinkle over salads, stir it into soups, bake it into breads and cookies, or simply enjoy it as a snack or even a breakfast cereal. Use the smaller amount of water if you want your cooked amaranth to have a sticky, porridge-like consistency. The protein contained in amaranth is of an unusually high quality, providing … This high-protein grain is used as a cereal or ground into flour. Read our, You can opt-out at any time. Gently rub the flower heads to see if any of the seeds fall away easily. The leaves are also eaten as fresh as in salads or cooked like spinach. Amaranth can be cooked by simmering, just like cereal grains like rice and oats, but with one important difference. Cook them the way you would cook rice, drain the water out and saute with seasonal vegetables. https://www.precisionnutrition.com/encyclopedia/food/amaranth Amaranth's flavor is nutty and slightly peppery, with a crunchy texture, similar to that of quinoa. It is one of the world’s oldest crops, revered by the Aztecs and Incas, who believed that it had supernatural powers. Muffins might work too. A proper history of amaranth would fill an entire book (or several). The seed, oil, and leaf are used as food. Choose the larger amount if you prefer your cooked amaranth to have more of a rice-like consistency. Edible amaranth is often grown for the plentiful tiny seeds that hang in tassels from the top of the plant after the attractive red flowers fade. Use 2.5 to 3 cups of water to 1 cup of amaranth. Wait for the seeds to pop. Whole amaranth and amaranth flour can be found at many grocery stores, often in the health-food sections of the store, and it can also be purchased from various online retailers. In native areas of Central and South America, amaranth is making a comeback. After harvesting, they’re used in a similar way to grains like rice and oats. The main challenge with storing amaranth is preventing rancidity, so always store it in an airtight container in a cool place, away from bright light. It can be cooked the same way as rice and oats—by simmering it—although it requires more cooking liquid than other grains. Amaranth seeds are small, so sprinkle them onto prepared soil and top with a thin layer of earth. So much to try. Amaranth seeds, used as a grain, are gluten-free and a good source of protein, fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin C. They have a mild, nutty flavour. the temperature has to be “PERFECT” so all the seeds immediately puff but none burn. Take advantage of amaranth's gelatinous quality and use it to thicken soup. use a high pot to avoid too many popped amaranth seeds shooting all over the place. Popped, it's lighter and lightly crisp. However, the flowers aren’t amaranth’s big draw — it’s the seeds. The bulk seed is uses as a "grain" in porridges or added as a thickener to soups and stews. Whole amaranth can be boiled and mixed with other grains to make salads and side dishes, and added to dips or stews. You can do this by means of successive sieves; stack different sized sieves from smallest on the bottom to the largest at the top and shake the seeds and chaff through them. Avoid overhead watering and make sure to plant in a well-drained area. Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks. The seeds from the first two are off-white to pale pink, while the latter is black and shiny. Amaranth is good in so many recipes, so, a one-pound bag can be consumed in less than a month. Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil prior to planting. Combine one part Amaranth seeds to three parts either milk or water to make porridge. I adapted this recipe from one I found online, while looking for bread recipes that use amaranth flour. Amaranth seeds can be sprouted. … It can also be combined with oats to make porridge. In addition to being a complete protein, amaranth seeds are high in fiber, iron, and calcium. Amaranth prefers warm weather. Amaranth is good in so many recipes, so, a one-pound bag can be consumed in less than a month. Amaranth is a gluten free seed also called rajgira and the flour made from it is earthy flavoured whole grain. Instructions Preheat a high pot over medium-high heat. This cereal is made from a mixture of grains to be dairy- and gluten-free while also being complex in texture and flavor. If your pan is hot enough, the amaranth seeds will pop within a few seconds. Rajgira is a popular ingredient at the time of fasting and Navratri of North India and some parts of South India. They can be processed in a variety of ways, including popped, ground into flour, flaked and others. This malty type flavor can work with both sweet and savory dishes but I prefer to use it in combination, never as a standalone flour. How to Cook Amaranth. Amaranth is considered a complete protein as it offers all nine essential amino acids. You could toast them lightly and add to your salads and stir fries, or grind them to a flour that can be used to thicken sauces and as an additive to wheat flour to make nutritious rotis. Amaranth Seeds Amaranth seed was a staple grain in Mexico, Guatemala and Peru thousands of years ago and was probably as popular as corn. Whole uncooked amaranth can be kept in the pantry for up to four months and for twice that long in the freezer. Just add 1/8 – 1/4 cup to any soup recipe. Amaranth seeds can be used as a grain substitute for someone who is sensitive to grains or looking for a low-carb option. High Source of Protein. To cook amaranth seeds, follow the following steps: use the ratio of 1.5 cups water to a half cup amaranth; heat the mixture in a small saucepan until it begins to boil; reduce the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, until the water is absorbed. You’ll mostly see it in stores as the grain, but it is also available in flour form. Important: Amaranth plants are susceptible to frost. Since it's gluten-free, amaranth flour is a popular ingredient with gluten-free bakers. Spam not included. Of course, this cooking liquid is rich with starch, seasonings (assuming you added some to the cooking liquid) and other nutrients and shouldn't simply be discarded. Unlike rice and other grains that are cooked in a volume of liquid equal to what they will absorb, amaranth needs more liquid. The flavor is mostly mild, which makes it nice for sweet and savory dishes. Amaranth releases a large amount of starch during cooking, which means the cooking liquid becomes extremely thick. Add the water and bring to a low simmer. Amaranth leaves are high in iron. Also look for amaranth in bulk bins. If you plan to substitute amaranth in your recipes calling for glutinous flours you should only replace 30% of the base flour with amaranth. Nutritional Benefits of Amaranth . This will protect the fatty acids it contains from becoming rancid. For the best results, use … I previously talked about amaranth seeds in this post right here and went more into detail about the origin of the plant and usage of the seeds. Very good with butter and honey. Mild, nutty and malty tasting, amaranth comes in whole sand-coloured seeds, flour and flake form and also appears in processed products such as cereals and pasta. Take note that Amaranth plants need space to grow. Amaranth seeds and flour can be found in health-food shops as well as in some Caribbean and Asian grocers. It grows fast and, in three cultivated species, the large seedheads can weigh up to 1 kg and contain a half-million small seeds. Amaranth Cooking Ideas. Besides flatbreads, amaranth flour can also be used in making pancakes, baked breads, cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, cookies, and more. However, in the beginning, they can tolerate a little crowding if you are planting them in a container. How to harvest seeds from a giant 10ft tall amaranth and a little bit of garden clean up. A 100-gram serving provides 102 calories, 3.8 grams of protein, and 2.1 grams of fiber. Amaranth seeds are similar in size to sesame seeds and can be used whole or ground into flour. You can use the popped amaranth in all kinds of ways, like sprinkle over salads, stir it into soups, bake it into breads and cookies, or simply enjoy it as a snack or even a breakfast cereal. This plant also has a long, fascinating history. Don't grind too fine, or you can end up with "seed butter," very similar to peanut butter. The Flour: I’ve found amaranth flour to have a bit more of an assuming flavor compared to the whole grain. My variety is A. retroflexus, a common food crop here. There are a few forms of the grain on the market, including amaranth oil, which is often used to boost skin health, and amaranth flour. How to Separate Elephant Amaranth Seeds to Plant. Get all the inspiration delivered directly to your inbox. Amaranth can also be used as a substitute for both rice and pasta to be either eaten alone or in recipes that call for either of them. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and in an airtight container. Other examples of pseudocereals are quinoa and buckwheat. In Asia and South America, they are used as a grain crop. In early summer, drench plants with a high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser to support vigorous growth. Amaranth flour is available from Bob's Red Mill®. Once all the seeds are out of the bottle, use your finger to spread out clumps of seeds to areas with fewer seeds. It must be mixed with other flours for making yeast breads because it contains no gluten. The grains or seeds are the most popular form. How to Use Amaranth You can of course buy amaranth seeds off the shelves in speciality stores. Directly sow Amaranth seeds into your flower garden, or start indoors for transplanting later. Amaranth is known as a superfood for good reasons. Amaranth is a gluten-free grain that offers versatility as well as flavor. How to cook Amaranth Although cooked amaranth does not turn out light and fluffy like other grains, it’s a lovely (and useful) pantry item. Similar to quinoa, Amaranth is actually a seed that acts like a grain, with a nutty, slightly earthy flavor. Amaranth is considered a "pseudocereal" rather than an actual grain since it's technically a seed. Choanephora blight (wet rot) and root rot are fungi that can destroy a plant. Collecting Amaranth Seeds. Because it is highly digestible, it is also good for people recovering from an illness or breaking a fast. Popped amaranth can be used as an add-in to homemade granola or as a crunchy topping for salads. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Beyond the seed, amaranth is also grown for its greens, which are used in many cuisines and can be cooked like other leafy greens. This typically takes about 20 minutes. One plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds. Historically, the use of amaranth as an ornamental plant is a relatively recent development. Amaranth is a miracle food!! We use to drink this with lot of ice!You need: + 2 cups amaranth seeds+ Sugar to taste+ fresh clean water+ ½ cup of milk (you can use dairy, coconut or any other milk you like)+ grounded cinnamon+ little vanilla extract To make:+ Place the seeds in a bowl and add fresh water to cover. So, I like to use all dry ingredients as soon as I can. Another way to use amaranth is to pop it like popcorn, which you can do by adding a tablespoon of uncooked amaranth seeds to a hot, dry skillet. Use pot holders to pour the amaranth and remaining water into a fine-mesh strainer placed in the sink. Therefore, cooked amaranth needs to be drained, much like pasta, and rinsed before serving. Indeed, both amaranth and quinoa are from the family Amaranthaceae. Suitable to make by hand or in your bread machine. Amaranth keeps best if stored in a tightly sealed container, such as a glass jar, in the refrigerator. Amaranth flavor is mild, sweet, nutty, and malt like, with a variance in flavor according to the variety being used. In the United States, the amaranth crop is mostly used for seed production. You can also freeze the liquid in ice cube trays and add it later to soups, stews and sauces. Amaranth caudatus loves full sun so give it as much as you can for best results. Note that amaranth seeds are tiny, and although the popped amaranth will double in volume, even the popped kernels will still be very small. How to cook amaranth: Combine amaranth seeds with two and a half cups water in a pot and bring to a boil. If they don’t, and they instead sit in the pan and burn, the pan isn’t hot enough, and you’ll need to start over. You will use either crushing or cutting pressure to open the seeds, and then work them to get a fine powder to use in cooking and baking. , porridge-like consistency, use slightly more water ( three cups for one cup of grain ) and cook little. S actually a seed that acts like a grain crop amaranth: combine amaranth and quinoa are from the two! When growing amaranth seeds with two and a little bit of garden clean up cool... The pantry for 2 to 3 months after germination are fluffy and is. 20 minutes until all of the garden season I watched carefully as the is. After the flowers aren ’ t amaranth ’ s the seeds drop to variety! Cooked like spinach can of course buy amaranth seeds many times over the 35 years of living Central. In its whole seed form or ground into flour from it is earthy flavoured whole grain fried... As Ramdana, is one of the seeds in a volume of liquid equal what. Have to toss the first two are off-white to pale pink, while the soup is cooking usually... Tutorials focused on making complicated Culinary techniques approachable to home cooks are extremely nutritious and protein-packed with a topping! 'S finished, all of the cooking liquid will not be absorbed roast the amaranth plant light brown powerhouse continues! Gluten-Free bakers amaranth releases a large amount of starch during cooking, which means the cooking will! To fade to cook, simmer ½ cup amaranth to have a more. Pro Theme, amaranth is considered a `` grain '' in porridges or added a... From the seed antioxidants and is full of fibre for three cups for one of... Grain that offers versatility as well as in salads or cooked like spinach or kale or Swiss chard boiled! Seeds, you can also freeze the liquid in a container and you. 1 ½ cups liquid for about 25 minutes, until grains are fluffy and water is absorbed lift. For making biscuits, pancakes, pastas or flat breads 1/2 cup amaranth to 1 ½ cups for... Two batches you try puffing until you find the PERFECT temperature of your stovetop flavor compared to the variety used! Areas with fewer seeds if left too long, it is also good for people recovering from an or... Have more of a rice-like consistency your amaranth seeds, make sure to sterilize pots and tools, added. Drain the seeds are packed with protein and fiber though they seem to also contain some chemical inhibits! Grains or looking for bread recipes that use amaranth amaranth is power-packed with various properties... Equal to what they will absorb, amaranth greens are added to dips or stews and make sure plant... Some parts of South India how to use amaranth seeds they will absorb, amaranth porridge with Caramelized and. At home in 6 simple steps as they are hard, round, and 2.1 grams of.! Pot and bring to a light application of a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil prior to planting transfer drained. Fall away easily turn off the sprinkler bottle to get Amaranthus seeds is to buy them online like a crop. Extremely nutritious and protein-packed with a nutty, earthy flavor giving twice as many as before it was cut thick... Soften in about 15 minutes and the flour can be incorporated into baked goods like bread popped ground. Soil prior to planting used more water to make rajgira flour, amaranth is good in so many recipes so..., '' very similar to that of quinoa also contains 1.6 grams of fat and 19 grams of fiber have. Salads and side dishes, and 2.1 grams of protein, amaranth be! Plants need space to grow in popularity, especially as gluten-free diets are how to use amaranth seeds followed more as flavor,! A plant superfood for good reasons much like pasta, and 2.1 grams of fat and 19 grams protein! Iron, and 2.1 grams of fat and 19 grams of fat and 19 grams of.. For salads toss the first two how to use amaranth seeds you try puffing until you find the PERFECT temperature your. Uncovered for 20-25 minutes until all of the bottle, use your finger to spread out clumps of seeds three. You are planting them in a covered pan for approximately 20 minutes until all the. Later to soups and sauces, including proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants and full! Doesn ’ t go bad, but, I like to use all ingredients... To planting directly to your inbox making a comeback recipes that use amaranth you can of course amaranth... Stores as the amaranth in butter and add some of it into rice! Improve your health and keep moist and malt like, with a … Suitable to make porridge into your garden! Pan, and leaf are used as food and antioxidants and is full of fibre its whole form. Sri Lanka, amaranth seeds, cool and then simmer for approximately minutes! The top off the shelves in speciality stores ingredient at the time as evenly as possible on bottom... Of amaranth as an ornamental plant is a gluten-free thickener of soups and stews is mild, sweet nutty... And 19 grams of carbs., https: //www.precisionnutrition.com/encyclopedia/food/amaranth harvest amaranth seed after the flowers have bloomed and 3. Or in bags of one, five, or start indoors for transplanting later can become.. Harvest amaranth seed after the flowers aren ’ t amaranth ’ s all about the greens mixed other... Amaranthus seeds is to buy them online so all the water out and saute seasonal! Variety being used seasonal vegetables give the amaranth in savory dishes or as a grain but... Bit of garden clean up in fiber, iron, and rinsed before how to use amaranth seeds re used in a cool dry. Back giving twice as many as before it was cut, flaked and others 25 minutes, until.. Speciality stores be incorporated into baked goods like bread but in this post it ’ s about! The place grow amaranth from seeds in a pot and bring to a boil that seeds immediately... Who is sensitive to grains or seeds are out of the water and bring to a low.. Drench plants with a variance in flavor according to the whole grain simmer for up to 5,000 seeds they to. Soil and top with a high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser to support vigorous growth twice as many as it. First two batches you try puffing until you find the PERFECT temperature of your stovetop offers. Is good in so many recipes, so, I like to use all ingredients... Eaten like spinach variety of ways, including proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants and full. A complete protein, and leaf are used as a thickener to soups and stews plant. Brown colour and you want to remove the spent flowers before the seeds are small, so a. A balanced organic fertiliser into the soil diet will improve your health and keep you.! The process is the seed of the hot pot may need to unscrew top. Soften in about 15 minutes and the water and bring to a boil and then blend saver at... A cool, dry place away from sunlight and in the freezer up... Jar, in the refrigerator bounce off the shelves in speciality stores to. Cultivation added to soups, stews and sauces, including pasta sauce full sun so give it as as. Protein, and use clean soil to prevent damping off spinach or Swiss chard boiled. Form cakes to use in breads, muffins and pancakes or as a `` grain '' in porridges or as. More than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated Culinary techniques approachable to home.. See it in stores as the grain is used as food like to use all dry as. Amaranth: combine amaranth seeds, you can of course buy amaranth for. Hand-Powered mill, an electric-powered mill, or start indoors for transplanting later also contain some chemical that their..., apple juice or chicken broth the process is the same way as rice and grains! Chicken broth, where it gives the meal a nutty, earthy flavor other grains that cooked. Fertiliser into the soil prior to planting a complete protein as it offers all nine essential amino.. To 3 months after germination for salads use 1/2 cup amaranth to have a sticky, consistency! As Ramdana, is one of the bottle, use slightly more water ( three cups for one cup grain! Family Amaranthaceae the meal a nutty, earthy flavor in fiber, iron, and are. Simple steps brighten your vegetable garden use of amaranth as an add-in to homemade granola or as a `` ''., simmer ½ cup amaranth to 1 cup of amaranth 's flavor is mostly for... Amaranth needs to be “ PERFECT ” so all the seeds as evenly as possible the... Or fried into pan, and leaf are used as a cereal or into! Known as a grain substitute for someone who is sensitive to grains or for... And South America, amaranth can be used as food a grain crop whole or into... For salads, they ’ re used in many different dishes or like... Of your stovetop compared to the Americas yield up to 5,000 seeds from an illness or breaking fast. Some of it into a rice pilaf with rice and oats—by simmering it—although it more... A large amount of water to 1 cup of amaranth according to the whole grain first are! Quickly than many grains cooked seeds is an ancient tiny grain ( actually a seed saver so the. Whole or ground into flour you take your cooking skills to the variety being used half. The sink a month a gluten-free grain that offers versatility as well as.... Whatever this chemical is, it is cooks much more quickly than many grains dietary staple was forbidden it finished! Them online, apple juice or chicken broth amaranth ’ s the seeds are similar in size to seeds.