Monday, April 06, 2009

The grain report

No, this isn't an early look at USDA information, so don't think you can make a Louis Winthorpe III-esque play on the commodities market. Rather, it's my collection of notes following an adventuresome round of buying mysterious grains at the neo-hippie grocery store (MOM, if locals are wondering). Below are my unedited notes on preparation and, crucially, my assessment of the O-pinion.

[Disclaimer: Kerry came across these notes and declared them blogworthy. I never would have thought them so, but she's been right about things before, so here they are.]

Barley flakes
Water 3:1
Boil 20 min (lid off, occasional stir - cooked to a sticky, soft mass in ~16 min)
(O didn't like)

Buckwheat groats
Water 2:1
Simmer 15-20 min
(15 min, lid on and water totally absorbed
Big groats. Strong, earthy flavor
O liked plain and w/ milk)

Bulgur wheat
Water 2:1
Simmer 15-20 min
Stand 10 min
(Put BW in while heating water. Simmer lid on +15 min. Stand. Nice pebbly grain. Not quite as chewy as groats. Tastes more like dinner than breakfast.
O ate it)

Pearled barley
Water 2.5-3:1
Boil. Simmer 35-40 min
(3:1. Lid on. Cooked but water remained after 35 min. Shd have taken grains out of pot; water congealed and made barley a little slimey)
Smooth, tender grains. Little flavor. O OK)

Amaranth
Water 2:1
Boil. Simmer 20-25 min
(2:1. Boiled with amaranth in water. 25 min with lid on. V sticky grains, tiny crunchy in a viscous goo
O likes)

4 comments:

emk said...

Kerry's right-- these data points are very helpful for those of into trying new foodstuffs! Thanks for sharing!

Kerry said...

Yes, some are definitely better than others. Things that make a 'viscous goo' or are slimy are less likely to be eaten. If someone else watches your kiddo during the day (say, a nanny) you may need to explain which mysterious grain is for breakfast and what is lunch food.

Wm said...

At work today, there was a powerpoint encouraging employees to eat oatmeal for its health effects and good value. As a result I am having oatmeal with sausage, feta cheese crumbles and bbq sauce.

David and Rita said...

wow! what great notes on bizarro grains. i've fumbled my way through bulghur and am glad to know i don't have to experiment with all the others.

david

ps my word verification word looks an awful lot like gethsemane. maybe it's a holy week thang.