The name 'buckwheat' or 'beech wheat' comes from its triangular seeds, which resemble the much larger seeds of the beech nut from the beech tree, and the fact that it is used like wheat.
I always thought buckwheat is nothing but wheat, but when I saw this in the grocery store, I wanted to learn more about it and since it's packed with fiber and protein, wanted to use as a main ingredient in my recipes. So here I go another recipe invention here. Very simple and easy to make...Since this is my first recipe, I didn't want to complicate much but make simple recipe and feel the real taste of the grain. This grain is no wonder very flavorful by itself.
Medicinal Uses:
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Buckwheat contains a glucoside named rutin, a medicinal chemical that strengthens capillary walls, reducing hemorrhaging in people with high blood pressure and increasing microcirculation in people with chronic venous insufficiency. Dried buckwheat leaves for tea were manufactured in Europe under the brand name "Fagorutin."
Buckwheat contains D-chiro-inositol, a component of the secondary messenger pathway for insulin signal transduction found to be deficient in Type II diabetes and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is being studied for use in treating Type II diabetes. Research on D-chiro-inositol and PCOS has shown promising results.
A buckwheat protein has been found to bind cholesterol tightly. It is being studied for reducing plasma cholesterol in people withhyperlipidemia.
Ingredients:
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1 cup Buckwheat
2 cups Water
2 Carrots peeled and grated
1/4 inch ginger thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 cup Cilantro chopped
Method:
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1. Wash the buckwheat in water twice and add two cups of water and bring to a boil in a heavy bottom sauce pan.
2. Simmer the flame to medium, add salt and pepper, cover 3/4 th cover and cook until the wheat is cooked for about 10 to 15 mins.
3. You can add more water or reduce the water as you need, off the flame and add grated carrot, ginger, and cilantro and stir well.
4. The prepared porridge is hot enough to cook the vegetables add and will help to release the aroma of the fresh herb (cilantro).
5. Cover and let it stand for 5 mins.
6. Serve it hot like a soup, but it's more like a porridge. To make it more flavorful you can add some butter over the top just before serving.
