Amaranth - ancient cereal for a healthy heart and strong immune system |
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Amaranth (Lat. Amaranthus spp.) is an ancient cereal that is widespread in Asia and America.
This nutrient pseudocereal has been cultivated for over 8000 years.
In Croatia, amaranth is still a relatively new food item, but it is becoming more popular due to its superior nutritional properties.
Amaranth’s appearance is similar to millet.
There are about 60 different species of amaranth. Some species have edible leaves when they are young, so they can be eaten as a vegetable.
The very name amaranth means immortal.
In America, for thousands of years, it has been one of the main food items and represented an essential part of Native American ceremonies.
Twenty years ago this ancient cereal has experienced a rebirth after the U.S. National Academy of Sciences recommended it as part of the daily diet of Americans.
And the reason for this is its unique nutritional composition.
Content and healing properties of amaranth
Amaranth is an excellent source of protein, it contains twice as much usable calcium than milk, three times more fibers than wheat, and its leaves are an excellent source of iron.
It is rich in minerals such as potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and especially manganese, and vitamins A, B6, C and K, folic acid and riboflavin.
It contains valuable amino acids, including lysine, which is active against herpes viruses. It contains no gluten, making it suitable for people sensitive to gluten.
It has been shown that regular consumption of amaranth reduces bad cholesterol, hypertension and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Amaranth is, due to its excellent nutritive properties, great food item for all age groups, from the cradle to old age. It makes infants and children resistant to infections during their development.
Due to the abundance of calcium and iron, it is recommended for women because it strengthens bones and prevents anemia.
If you are planning to become pregnant, be sure to incorporate it into your diet because of the abundance of folic acid which promotes reproductive health, protects against miscarriage and lowers the risk of infant brain damage and neural tube defects up to 75 percent.
Regular consumption of amaranth rejuvenates the body because it protects tissues from molecular disorders that cause aging.
Healing properties of Amaranth
- normalizes high blood pressure and cholesterol
- helps with anemia and malnutrition
- strengthens the skeletal system
- improves digestion
- protects the health of the fetus
- boosts immunity
- rejuvenates the body
Amaranth in cuisine
Amaranth is unique in that it can retain most of the nutrients during cooking because they are located in the core of this cereal, not in the envelope as is the case with most cereals.
Amaranth or its flour can be used in a mixture with wheat flour for making bread and cakes.
It combines excellently with other grains, vegetables and pulse, and you can prepare it as a porridge or pilaf.
Amaranth grains can be baked on the hot pan like popcorns, you can also add it to the breakfast cereals, soups, salads and desserts.
Amaranth can be cooked in water in a ratio of one to three.
First, fry it in butter or oil, add water and salt, cover the pot and let it cook with a lid on for about twenty minutes on a low heat.
Energy bars with amaranth
Ingredients
- 400 g amaranth
- 10 tablespoons of honey
- 6 tablespoons of butter
- 6 tablespoons of raw sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons of dried goji berries
- ½ cup of chopped dried apricots
- 2 tablespoons of dried figs
Preparation
Prepare amaranth like popcorn: fry it in a very hot pan and shake it for about twenty seconds. As soon as it stops crackling, remove it from the heat. You must be quick, in order to not burn it.
Dissolve honey and butter and cook until it caramelizes, about seven minutes.
Mix in the remaining ingredients and pour the mixture into the pan with baking paper.
Leave the mixture to cool for one day. Cut into cubes.
Protein balls with hemp seeds and amaranth
Ingredients
- half a cup of raw sunflower seeds
- ½ cup of walnuts
- half a cup of almonds
- a pinch of salt
- half a banana
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 soaked dates
- half cup of of hemp seeds
- one cup of expanded amaranth
Optional
- ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of cardamom
- pepper crumbs
Chop all the fruits and seeds, except amaranth, banana and dates.
Mix honey, bananas, dates, and salt in a blender into a paste. Make a mixture of paste and chopped fruits and seeds.
Form the mixture into little balls and roll them into amaranth.
You can eat them right away or store the in the refrigerator for later. You can dehydrate them for about eight hours, which will also extend the shelf life.
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