It is very easy to get confused between wheat and buckwheat cereal. The latter is not a type of wheat as its name suggests. Considered to be a healthy food, this cereal is loaded with a number of vital nutrients.
Buckwheat belongs to the dicot family of Polygonaceae. Mostly, people tend to get confused between buckwheat and wheat, thinking that it may be a variety of wheat. But the fact is that the former is actually a seed of a plant named 'fagopyrum esculentum' and is related to rhubarb plants.
Although, it is said to have originated in China, this cereal is also used in other parts of the world. There are many uses of buckwheat as its flour is used for preparing low calorie pancake recipes. It is also used for making breads, muffins, cakes, etc. There are also many delicious and mouth-watering recipes that can be cooked by using this cereal, which can be used for preparing a healthy breakfast.
Cereal Nutrition
Buckwheat is highly nutritious and is a source of many essential nutrients, that are required by the body. This cereal is a gluten-free food that is rich in proteins, amino acids and antioxidants, that help the body to fight against free radicals and promote good health.
It also has high amounts of vitamin E that help in preventing cell damage. Other nutrients present in this cereal are calcium, iron, soluble dietary fibers, potassium, zinc, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
These nutrients help in lowering the levels of blood sugar and hence, fight against diabetes. This grain is also beneficial for the cardiovascular system and lowers the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Eating buckwheat helps fighting against heart diseases and prevents the occurrence of gallstones since, it contains phytonutrients like lignans. This phytonutrient also protects the body from various types of cancers. Hence, it is not only nutritious, but also gives a distinct flavor to the dishes.
Recipes Using Buckwheat
Raw Buckwheat Recipe
Ingredients
Buckwheat, 2 cups
Apple, (coarsely diced) 2
Shredded Coconut, ¼ cup
Apple or Pear Juice, 1½ cups
Dates, 10 to 12
Directions Soak the buckwheat groats and dates in water and leave it overnight. Drain 1 cup of the liquid into a small bowl and blend the buckwheat and dates with the rest of the liquid, in a food processor. Mix the fruit juice and diced apples. Blend it till the ingredients combine well. Transfer the contents to a plate and top it with grated coconut, nutmeg, and cinnamon powder.
Buckwheat Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
Cooked Buckwheat, 2½ cups
Fresh Broccoli, (chopped) 2 cups
Onion, (chopped) 1
Cream of Chicken Soup, 1 can
Shredded Cheese, 2 cups
Butter or Margarine, 8 tbsp.
Evaporated Milk, ½ cup
Directions In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter or margarine. Add the chopped onion and broccoli. Sauté till the onion turns light brown and the broccoli becomes crisp and tender. Stir in the soup, evaporated milk, cooked buckwheat, and shredded cheese. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Cover the saucepan and allow the mixture to simmer for about 30 minutes.
Chicken Buckwheat Casserole
Ingredients
Cooked Boneless Chicken, (chopped into medium pieces) 3 cups
Cooked Buckwheat, 2 cups
Large Onion, (chopped) 1
Beef Broth, 1 can
Garlic Cloves, (minced) 3
Butter or Margarine, 2 to 3 tbsp.
Directions In a large saucepan, sauté the onions and garlic in melted butter till they turn golden brown. Now add the cereal and stir till it is browned. Transfer the chicken pieces and beef broth to the saucepan and stir till they combine well.
Transfer these contents to a casserole dish and bake it in a preheated oven at 350º F for about 50 minutes or until the ingredients becomes tender. You can also prepare this recipe, by using millet, rice, cracked wheat, and milo.
Buckwheat Corn Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
Buckwheat Flour, 2 cups
Cornmeal, 1 cup
Milk, 2½ cups
Brown Sugar, 2 to 3 tbsp.
Butter, (melted) ¼ cup
Eggs, 2
Baking Powder, 2½ tsp.
Salt, ¼ tsp.
Directions Take a large bowl and combine the buckwheat flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix the melted butter and milk with it. Stir this egg mixture with flour and make a thin batter. Fill this batter into well greased muffin tins and bake these muffins in a preheated oven at 400º F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Buckwheat cereal is also an excellent winter food, since, it improves the circulation of blood and keeps the body warm. This cereal can be found in health food stores in the form of groats. So for a healthy start in the morning, you can choose to prepare any of these recipes for breakfast.