buckwheat + puffed amaranth cereal
August 2, 2011 I have a new breakfast obsession. Surprised?
I’m hooked after 1 bowl.
Have you made the popped amaranth yet?? If not, you must! You can find amaranth in the bulk aisle of your natural food store [hopefully!] or in a Bob’s Red Mill package. If you can’t find it there, check online. The same goes for the 2nd main ingredient, raw buckwheat groats. Not kasha, or toasted buckwheat, just plain old raw groats. They’ll look a bit tan/yellowy/green in color.
I got the idea for adding soaked buckwheat to the puffed amaranth, after seeing Angela soak + blend buckwheat, to make breakfast porridge.
However, for this, I wanted to keep the buckwheat whole. After soaking it, there is still a nice crunchy chew, that was begging to be added to a bowl of cereal.
Un-soaked groats are extremely crunchy and strangely, edible! There aren’t many grains you can chew through raw [without at least sprouting]. However, some people can be sensitive to uncooked and/or un-soaked grains. The soaking + rinsing process helps aid in easier digestion.
Soak your groats overnight + rinse them thoroughly the next morning. It’s easiest if you use a fine mesh strainer. <--- top 5 favorite kitchen tools!
Both puffed amaranth + raw buckwheat are extremely mild in flavor. They have a slight earthiness to them, but are not sweet at all. Sweetener is definitely not needed, if you add some delicious fruit toppings, but 1/2-1T maple syrup is always welcome.
Puffed Amaranth + Buckwheat Cereal
- 3T raw amaranth
- 1/3c soaked + rinsed raw buckwheat groats
Toppings
- small banana
- cherries
- 1T almond butter
- cinnamon
- 1/2-1T maple syrup
- 1c unsweetened almond milk
- Pop amaranth per instructions.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then add 1/3 very well rinsed + soaked buckwheat groats to the bowl.
- Add toppings.
*Soak raw buckwheat groats in a bowl, with water, covering the groats by a few inches. Leave in the fridge overnight. In the morning, drain the water and empty groats into a strainer. Wash the groats thoroughly, as a slimy coating will be produced from the soaking. You your hand to mix the groats around, while rinsing, to ensure they are slime-free. 1-2min
Breakfast is served!
This bowl was incredibly delicious. The buckwheat groats added amazing texture to every bite. It was hard not to go back for seconds.
Nutritional information for:
- 3T raw amaranth
- 1/3c raw buckwheat groats
Nutritional information for:
- all ingredients, including all toppings in my bowl
*I forgot to add in the 1/2T maple syrup, which adds ~7g sugar + 25 calories.
I use caloriecount.com to enter in the nutritional information of the recipes I make. It’s not frequent that I enter in the information. Typically, it’s when I know a recipe is extremely healthy and turns out incredibly delicious. I like to see just how delicious, I can make healthy. All recipes and food items have a grade rating, A, A-, B+, etc. and this recipe received an A! Probably an A- with the maple syrup though. ;)
Latest obsession. Divulged.
…
Speaking of delicious, tonight’s dinner made up for last night’s sub-par grilled meal.
Mama Pea’s Yukon Gold White Bean Basil Burgers! I’ve made these twice already, and this time made a double batch. Veggie burgers are just so convenient. You can eat them cold out of the fridge, thrown on a salad, wrapped in lettuce, or heated up on a bun.
Heck, this “dough” is even good raw. I couldn’t stop eating it before I turned them into patties.
I made a few changes for ingredients I had on hand.
- chickpeas, instead of white beans [slow cooked my beans today – delicious + cheap!]
- red potatoes, instead of yukon gold taters
- halved the basil
- added 1/2T chopped fresh rosemary [1T if doubling the recipe]
- added 1t chopped fresh thyme [2t if double the recipe]
- 1.5T oat flour, instead of 2T whole wheat flour [3T if doubling the recipe]
- 1T unsweetened almond milk – needed moisture because chickpeas are drier than white beans [2-3T if doubling]
Both the original + this version were completely delicious. Making recipes adjustments, for what you have on hand, is easier than you think! And if you have lovely fresh herbs growing in your backyard, by all means throw some in!
Too bad I’m out of pickles.
Can’t say the same for ketchup though!
Off to bed, before I dig into the rest of the “dough” from these burgers.
Ashley
Reader Comments (58)
buckwheat= love.
those burgers look great! hmmm burger dough...thats definitely a first!! somebody better tell the cookie dough theres a new one in the house!
I just made your sweet potato black bean burgers tonight, and they were by far the best bean burgers I've ever made/had! My whole family loved them!
I need to keep trying with puffed amaranth--just can't get the hang of popping it without burning it.
I made your sweet potato black bean burgs and loved them! I am definitely making Mama Pea's white bean burgs soon! I will NEVER buy a packaged veggie burger again. Too expensive! I can make 10 burgers for less than 1/2 the price of 4 frozen, weird ingredient patties!
I LOVE the new cereal idea! I finally got amaranth to pop! It tastes wonderful as cereal. Now, I do have a question: I popped a whole bunch to keep in a container so I can have it at hand and make quick breakfasts. So, what would 3 T. unpopped equal to? I am trying to figure out the nutritional info if I just scoop 1 c. popped into my bowl.
I will have to try the buckwheat soon! I have a whole bunch in my pantry. Ooo, which reminds me. I MUST make a buckwheat bake. It's been too long! Love your recipes, Ashley!
ps: (I promise i am almost done!) I am going gluten free to see if it helps with my intestinal discomfort, and your site is the perfect place to look for great healthy GF recipes. I am also sort of kinda vegetarian, though dairy causes me trouble, and I will eat fish from time to time. Keep your creative juices flowing and keep posting awesome ideas/recipes!
I admire your motivation to spend time on making such great cereals. I am afraid I fall into the group of simply just picking up a box of the latest Kashi. I think I need to try puffed amaranth.
That bowl of buckwheat and puffed amaranth looks incredible. I really need to try puffed amaranth as soon as I'm back home!
And I've been DYING to make those Mama Pea burgers! Glad to know your substitutions worked - I agree it's always easier when you can just sub in what you have on hand :)
Yum! I love hearty breakfasts. I'm definitely not a dainty eater when it comes to the first meal of the day. Your popped amaranth looks delicious!
I have not tried either of these grains but dang this does looks addicting! I can tell why your hooked :)
Thanks for another great buckwheat recipe! can't wait to try it :)
I love the cereal idea! Puffed amaranth is one of my very favorite breakfasts, and I can't wait to try it with the buckwheat added in. As soon as I finished reading your post I put some buckwheat in the fridge to soak.
That reminds me, I made a buckwheat bake for my husband yesterday, and he loved it! I've been trying to get him to eat healthier, but he doesn't typically like "healthy" foods.
And here I sit with a bowl of cheerios :) Your cereal bowl looks much more delicious and healthy!
Finally got the puffed amaranth to work after lots of tries (and burnt amaranth!). As you have stated before, it is all in the technique and the heat of the pan. I think you should definitely do a video post about this to really show how it is done. Thanks for more great recipe ideas!
I've tried soaking and then dehydrating buckwheat, but this looks soooo much easier! And I've always wanted to try amaranth, so this is my chance at both! And I'd get a delicious breakfast in the process... win-win for sure ;)
And those burgers look amazing too! I mean basil IN burgers? Count me in ;)
Have a wonderful rest of the week!!
<3 <3
Your breakfasts always look so good! I just caved and bought another bag of $6.99 buckwheat groats for your breakfast bakes. I don't know why buckwheat is so expensive for the quantity around here...
Leave it to you to come up with another delicious breakfast recipe!! :) I just got the Peas and Thank You cookbook and can't wait to try some recipes!!
Have a great day!
Oh you always have the best looking food, Ashley!
I am leaving Colorado today and know why you guys live here...it's so pretty! But I am San Diego bound for the beach which is my true happy place :)
You've got me hooked on puffed amaranth! It's so nutty and crunchy. I added it to vegan rice crispy squares and other energy bars and love the unique taste it adds. Thanks for the introduction to a "new food."
Just eating the soaked buckwheat sounds so much more appetizing than the porridge did! I'm definitely going to try that soon. And those burgers are sooo good - I'm making more this weekend for a family dinner.
Oooh, that's a great idea!
Hope you had fun!! CA sounds great right about now!
Did you have to reduce the flour because it was a different kind? I'm trying to figure out the art of flour substitutions! Looks yummy.
YAY for the book!
That's really strange! Have you looked online to see if you can find it cheaper...even with shipping you might be able to!
This breakfast was definitely easy!!! Although sometimes I do wish I had a dehydrator. ;)
I'm hoping to soon!
hehehe ;) Cheerios are delicious!
That's great news Kerry!!! I'm so glad he liked it and hope you enjoy the buckwheat/amaranth mix!
HAhaha, love that! I'm not a dainty eater either. :)
Let me know if you give it a go! :) Just made my second bowl this morning.
Hehe :) It's really easy to make once you get the hang of it and is done quicker than a bowl of oatmeal on the stove!
I know what you mean...although I do still buy Sunshine burgers for once in awhile convenience and they are just so good! Great ingredient list too. I should figure out how to make them at home. :) I'm so glad you finally got amaranth to pop. Yay! I'm not really sure about the measurement. I usually just type in 1/4c raw amaranth for the nutrition facts and haven't measured how much it actually makes. Next time you make it, pop 1/4c and measure it out. I think 1/4c is around 1.5c but I'm not sure. Good luck with the gluten adventure!
Ahhh, that makes me so excited. :) :) Turn your heat up higher + keep that pan shaking!! Make sure the pan is HOT before adding amaranth in. It should start popping almost instantly!
Hahaha...it was like half mashed potatoes with half mashed beans mixed in + spices. SO GOOD
I just ordered some buckwheat groats, and I have some amaranth just waiting to be popped! Definitely need to give this a shot.
The picture of the bowl of cereal with the milk pouring in is so absolutely beautiful! And I love your creativity!
Thanks so much Emmie!
Sounds perfect!
Those burgers look so vibrant! I'll have to give them a try!
I FINALLY mastered the art of puffing amaranth. I've since done millet, and quinoa and LOVE it. I find though when I have just the puffed cereal I'm hungry an hour after. Soaking buckwheat and adding it to the mix may help. Totally giving this a try. Thanks Ashley! You're practically the breakfast genius.
Yo burgers look awesome. Yo mama's proud, yo.
(don't ask...I have no idea what is going on upstairs)
I'm always super excited- just as much as you are- when you come up with new and creative breakfast ideas :-)
This one looks AWESOME and the nutritional stats, too. Wow, look at that calcium, fiber and iron! Can't wait to try this one out as I love all the ingredients.
By slow cooking your beans, does it mean you're using a crockpot? Do tell! I hate rehydrating beans and boiling them... it takes too long, and it scares me when I forget that I was working on them.
I want that cereal in my face right now. I am so excited to track down those ingredients (whole foods?) and go for it. Also, whenever I make veggie burgers, I inevitably end up with teeny tiny burgers because I snack and pick at the raw "dough" too. :-)
WOW!!! I had the buckwheat/amaranth mix for breakfast this morning, and it was amazing! I love the textures together. I added cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, mixed in a little maple syrup and vanilla with the milk, and topped it with sliced banana, raisins, and cocoa-coconut almond butter. I'll definitely be adding this to my regular breakfast rotation! Thank you for sharing this idea with us!
Thanks! And, I love that you reply to comments even though you get TONS of them each day. Not replying is one BIG pet peeve of mine that I have with some bloggers. I understand how busy people can get, but it's easy to lose readership when you don't make a connection through communicating. Kudos to you!
I have an excaliber that I want to sell. I hardly used it (in my raw vegan days) and it's in great condition. Interested? :)
I just had to wipe the drool from the corners of my mouth after seeing your cereal. I have no doubt that I will be hooked after trying it the first time :D
Both puffed amaranth and buckwheat... Heaven! I love finding out that recipes are super healthy when they're equally tasty. Nice work Ash!
Hahaha, I know what you mean!
Aw, you're welcome! I'm glad you enjoy the replies. Are you getting them to your email or do you have to check back? I have an email response activated, but I'm not sure it's working...
So glad you enjoyed it!! Mmm your flavor combo sounds great, especially the almond butter! You're so welcome!