Why buckwheat as become my new favorite thing
Do you love oatmeal but it hurts your stomach? Do you just want to try something new to add variety to your diet or breakfast? Cream of buckwheat is the perfect substitute for your morning oatmeal. It originated from Eastern European countries that would soak and simmer buckwheat into porridge, or kasha. This has recently become one of my favorite breakfasts when I'm looking for something cozy and fueling.
What Is Buckwheat?
Despite its name, buckwheat is actually gluten-free and doesn’t contain wheat. Buckwheat technically isn’t a grain, but a seed. It is most commonly used as flour, but can also be found in noodles, as groats (hulled seeds) and more.
Benefits of Buckwheat:
Rich in antioxidants: Buckwheat contains many antioxidants, such as quercetin.
Blood sugar management: Due to the high levels of fiber in buckwheat, it has a balancing and potentially lowering effect on blood sugar levels.
Cardiovascular disease: Buckwheat is rich in magnesium and fiber which are great for the heart. Buckwheat may also help balance cholesterol.
Gut health: Buckwheat is high in fiber, specifically insoluble fiber, which is beneficial for gut health. That being said, what works for one person won't work for everyone -- our bodies are different. Try out buckwheat and see how it feels in your body. There are plenty of healthy foods, there’s no need to eat something that doesn’t feel good for you.
Vitamins and Minerals
Minerals in Buckwheat: Buckwheat is rich in copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus. It contains other minerals as well such as iron and zinc.
Vitamins in Buckwheat: Buckwheat contains niacin, folate, vitamin B-6, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin K.
My Cream of Buckwheat Bowl
I typically add some vanilla while it’s cooking. My go-to toppings are berries, banana, chocolate chips, nuts/nut butter, honey, and a dash of cinnamon. If I feeling like I need some protein, I’ll add yogurt.
Follow the instructions on the back of the bag. Once you have done what the instructions say, play around with the water-buckwheat ratio. I used Pocono’s Cream of Buckwheat Hot Cereal and microwave it.
Other Cream of Buckwheat Bowl Topping Ideas:
Fall Bowl: Heat chopped apples (on the stove top or in the microwave) with honey and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, etc. Cook the cream of buckwheat. Add the apples on top of the cream of buckwheat once cooked. Garnish with pecans.
Pumpkin pie: Mix in maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, a tiny bit of pumpkin before cooking so the pumpkin isn’t cold (pumpkin goes a long way). Mix some almond butter in.
Carrot cake: Add shredded carrots (best shredded by yourself because they will cook easier) before cooking so they soft. Add some maple syrup, vanilla and spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg- use sparingly). Cook then garnish with chopped pecans.
Peanut butter and jelly: Just like it sounds
Plain Jane: Plain with some simple salt and milk.
Chocolate raspberry: Mix in some chocolate chips/chocolate nut butter with crushed raspberries. Add a pinch of salt if you like salty-sweet.
Strawberry short cake: Heat with chopped strawberries and vanilla with your cream of oats. Top with more strawberries and milk.
Other Cream of Buckwheat Bowl Topping Ideas:
Cream of buckwheat is just the beginning. Buckwheat is a delicious, versatile food that you can add to your diet. As buckwheat is becoming more mainstream, it's easier to find recipes with buckwheat. Try a cream of buckwheat bowl or find other recipes you think you would like.
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