How to cook whole spelled in water. Spelled recipes: very healthy and very tasty! Spelled soup with vegetables

How is spelled porridge prepared? The recipe for this dish will be presented in the materials of this article. You will also learn about what the mentioned cereal is.

What is spelt? Recipes for making porridge from this cereal are known to few housewives. Moreover, not all chefs know about its existence.

According to experienced chefs, spelt, or spelled wheat, is a group of species of the genus Wheat with filmy grains, as well as brittle ears.

The mentioned plant includes such wild species as einkorn wheat, single-awned einkorn, double-awned einkorn and Urart wheat. There are also cultivated types: einkorn, spelled, makha wheat and Timofeev's wheat. Of the listed species that are directly related to emmer, emmer is the most commonly cultivated.

Spelled is distinguished by grains with non-threshing films. This crop is also characterized by brittle ears, brick-red color, unpretentiousness and early ripening. It should also be said that it is extremely resistant to various fungal diseases.

Spelled porridge: step-by-step recipe

There are many options on how to make such a tasty and nutritious dish. Most people cook spelled porridge using milk. However, some cooks prefer to make it using ordinary drinking water. Of course, in this case the dish turns out to be less calorie and tasty. But for dietary nutrition it is best suited.

So how is spelled porridge prepared? The recipe, implemented on water, requires the use of:

• spelled - about one glass;
• beet sugar - use to taste (you need about one large spoon);
• olive oil - about one dessert spoon per adult serving.

Cooking process

Diet spelled porridge, the recipe for which we are considering, is prepared quite simply. First, the grains are carefully sorted and washed several times in cool water. Next, it is placed in a deep pan in which it is planned to cook the dish. After filling the spelled with one and a half glasses of water, place it on low heat. After the liquid boils, the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Cook the porridge for about five minutes. Then you again need to pour in drinking water in the amount of two glasses. If you want a less thick dish, you can use a little more liquid.

At the same time, sugar and salt are added to the spelled (to your taste). After mixing the ingredients, cover them with a lid. In this form, the dish is cooked on the lowest heat for about forty minutes. At the same time, periodically stir the porridge with a spoon so that it does not stick to the bottom of the dish.

20 minutes after the start of cooking, the spelled should swell noticeably. At the end of the heat treatment, the cereal will completely absorb water and become soft and coarse. In this case, the porridge itself will turn out to be either viscous or crumbly (depending on the amount of water added).

Once the dish is cooked, it is tightly closed with a lid, removed from the stove and wrapped in a thick blanket. In this form, the porridge is allowed to rest for ¼ hour.

How to serve porridge for lunch?

Now you know how spelled porridge is prepared. The recipe for this delicious dish was presented above. It is served only hot. After placing the porridge on a plate, season it with olive oil (you can add butter if desired).

It should immediately be noted that spelled porridge with milk is prepared in the same way. In this case, use 1.5 glasses of water and 2-2.5 glasses of milk.

Spelled porridge: Armenian recipe

In Armenia, the dish in question is usually prepared using mushrooms and meat. We will describe exactly how this culinary process is carried out right now.

So what needs to be prepared to make a very tasty Armenian spelled porridge? The recipe, implemented in a slow cooker, requires the use of:

• spelled - about one glass;
• regular drinking water - 3.5 glasses;
• table salt - add to your taste;
• olive oil - optional;
• fresh champignons - 4 pcs.;
• butter - as desired;
• onions, carrots - 2 pcs.;
• poultry breast - 300 grams.

Component Processing

How is spelled processed? Recipes (porridge made from this cereal is very tasty) always require thorough washing of the product using a sieve. As soon as the water flowing from the spelled becomes clear, shake it vigorously and begin processing other ingredients.

Fresh champignons and chicken breast are thoroughly washed and then chopped into cubes. Fresh vegetables are also peeled and chopped in the same way.

Frying process

To make Armenian spelled porridge tasty, meat, mushrooms and vegetables should be pre-fried. To do this, place them in a multicooker bowl, add olive oil and turn on the baking mode. Stirring the ingredients periodically, fry them for fifteen minutes. After this, the products are salted to taste and filled with water.

Closing the multicooker with a lid, set the stewing program. In this mode, the ingredients are cooked for another 10 minutes. Next, the previously processed spelled is laid out on top of them. Without stirring the components, cover them again with a lid and continue to simmer for a whole hour. During this time, the cereal will absorb all the broth and swell well. As for the remaining ingredients, they will be completely cooked.

After the multicooker signals the end of the program, add a small amount of butter to the porridge. Next, mix it thoroughly so that the chicken breasts are evenly distributed throughout the spelled. After closing the lid of the kitchen device, the dish is kept heated for another five to seven minutes.

How to serve?

Like regular spelled porridge with water or milk, the Armenian dish should be served for lunch only hot. It is laid out on plates and placed immediately. If you wish, you can sprinkle this porridge with fresh chopped herbs.

Let's sum it up

There are many recipes based on grains such as spelled. In our country, porridge from this product is not prepared very often. Many housewives believe that in order to completely soften the cereal in question they will need a lot of free time. And indeed, spelled, unlike buckwheat or rice, takes quite a long time to cook. To significantly shorten this process, many cooks recommend soaking the product in cold water in advance and keeping it in this way for about half a day. During this time, the spelled will absorb some of the liquid and become softer and looser.

What do we know about spelled? Philologists and bookworms will immediately remember the lines from Pushkin’s fairy tale about the cunning Balda about “boiled spelt.” Gourmets and experimenters admit that they have come across inconspicuous cereals with an ancient Russian name on store shelves with fashionable ones. And nutritionists will joyfully exclaim: “What are you doing, friends? This is the food pride of Russia - in Europe, spelled dishes are considered a real delicacy!”

And while fashionable import substitution praises buckwheat as the main national product, it’s time for us to take a closer look at spelled. If Alexander Sergeich himself wrote about it, the cereal is clearly not simple...

Spelled, Spelled or Einkorn?

Spelled has been called as many names as spelled, and emmer, and emmer... But all these intriguing names are simply late varieties of spelled wheat, which first grew in the Mediterranean almost 7-8 thousand years ago.

Spelled was mentioned in the Old Testament, in Homer's Odyssey, and in the works of the historian Herodotus. And after several centuries, spelled fields smoothly migrated to the territory of Rus', and since then spelled has forever remained a “Russian” grain for the whole world. Why, even in the USA they learned about spelled thanks to the fertile soil of the Yaroslavl province - from there the seeds of our native cereal were brought to America.

Spelled peak in Rus' came in the 18th century - in those days, cereals were fried, steamed, porridge was cooked, put in soups, and baked flatbreads. Our peasants especially liked the harsh and independent character of spelled - the grain did not accept any fertilizers or any processing. Only natural conditions! Collecting such wild grains was problematic; hard grains were difficult to grind into flour, but no pest would take spelt. But over time, when the price and availability of bread became more important than its usefulness, they practically stopped growing spelled.

Return of the King

Black caviar of cereals is the name given to spelled wheat for its unusual brown hue and extremely healthy composition. Spelled - what is it? The photos will show an ordinary-looking cereal, very similar to whole oats, only more elegant and a spectacular brick-red color.

In the modern world, they started talking about the half-forgotten spelt - no, they practically screamed! – a few years ago, when the fashion for everything natural quickly returned. Red wheat turned out to be almost ideal in this matter, because the main condition for its cultivation is exceptional naturalness. No GMOs for you, no fertilizers - on “dirty” soil, cereals will simply refuse to grow. No radiation and heavy metals - the hard wheat shell will not let them through, no pests - the beetle and harmful turtle (yes, yes, this happens!), insects will not gnaw through these grains.

Will this beautiful spelt pass the hypoallergenic test? Does it contain gluten or not? This is wheat, albeit red. But compared to ordinary soft wheat, there is practically no dangerous gluten in spelled, but there are much more healthy plant proteins. Therefore, for both gluten allergies and intolerances, spelled porridge and spelled flour bread will be an excellent solution.

Health is a good gift

Each cereal is unique in its own way - any nutritionist will tell you about this, and scientific research will prove it, and the certificate on the package of porridge will notify you. Oatmeal, couscous, millet, quinoa, brown rice are all the basis of a healthy diet. But even against such a bright grain background, spelled is not lost - its beneficial properties only expand over the years.

• Spelled is a real record holder for the content of vitamin PP - nicotinic acid. It helps and prevents fatty plaques from clogging our blood vessels.
• Magnesium, potassium and phosphorus are the main mineral trinity of red wheat. Magnesium and phosphorus strengthen bones and nerves, potassium protects the heart and relieves swelling.
• Slow carbohydrates and vegetable proteins make spelled porridge one of the most nutritious, and this with a minimum calorie content of 127 kcal. Spelled salads and casseroles will instantly relieve you of hunger and allow you to do without unnecessary snacks.
• It is no coincidence that Pushkin's Balda begged his employer for boiled spelled as a main dish. Cereals improve immunity, help you think faster, and give you strength and endurance. Truly, health is a good gift, as the classic said in another work.
• Spelled is also a universal culinary product; its delicate nutty taste goes well with any ingredients. Do you want Mediterranean exoticism? Add Italian herbs and simmer the risotto. Preparing a vegetarian lunch? Casserole with or - as easy as shelling pears! And if you love your native cuisine, you can cook ancient Russian spelled porridge - with milk, butter and berries and fruits.

Spelled for weight loss

Tired of diet oatmeal? There is a great alternative - spelled! The benefits and harms of red wheat for weight loss have been discussed by healthy eating enthusiasts for a long time. And it has been unequivocally proven that spelled does not harm the figure.

The main weight-loss advantage of spelled wheat is its low calorie content. Cereals saturate the body with proteins and vitamins, make the intestines work, and even out metabolic processes. As a result, the kilograms evaporate slowly but surely.

One caveat - spelled cereal for weight loss must be cooked in a special way. Only on water, add less oil to the porridge, and better than vegetable oil. And as a bonus, just add nuts, dried fruits and apples and pears to your breakfast plate - in the morning your body will only thank you for it.

Cooking spelled correctly

We lied a little with the title - it’s almost impossible to cook spelled incorrectly. There are several basic recipes for spelled porridge, the main ones being the dietary version with water and the Old Russian version. And based on them, you can create your own signature recipes, adding all those delicacies that you are used to putting in oatmeal, baked goods, and even omelettes.

Porridge for weight loss

How to cook spelled depends entirely on the type of cereal you found in the store - regular or steamed.

First, wash the spelled – regardless of the variety. Pour it into boiling water (proportion 1:2), add salt and wait for the water to boil along with the red wheat. And then we cook it like regular porridge: steamed for 15-20 minutes, regular porridge for 35-40.

Old Russian porridge

We stock up on the necessary products - a glass of spelt, a glass of milk, yogurt and cold water. First, soak the spelled in yogurt and water. The proportions may be different - some recommend half a glass of water per glass of yogurt, others claim that you need 2 times more water. Our advice to you is to try both options and decide which porridge tastes better.

Soak the porridge for 5 hours, then rinse it to remove all traces of curdled milk, and cook it in a mixture of milk and water (proportions with cereal, as in the dietary recipe). Cooking time – 20-30 minutes, or until the milk and water are absorbed. Then add butter, salt and simmer under the lid (or you can wrap it in a towel) for about an hour.

Spelled recipes for lunch and dinner

If you have spelled lurking in your kitchen cabinet, you can look for recipes for more than just breakfast. Lunch, afternoon snack, light dinner - red wheat is good everywhere.

Corsican spelled soup

You will need: 1.5 liters of broth - chicken or vegetable, one glass each of spelt and small red beans, an onion, and 2-3 sprigs, 100 grams of hard cheese (for piquancy, can be replaced with goat cheese), salt, spices, 2 spoons.

1. To get hot French soup for lunch, we start culinary activities in the morning. Soak the beans for 6-8 hours, spelled for 4. The beans are boiled in two waters, so we prepare them in advance - fill them with cold water, and when it boils, cook for an hour over low heat. Then put it in a colander and let it rest for now.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, fry the onion until golden brown, add the garlic. After 30 seconds, pour in the broth, when it boils, add the spelled. After 15 minutes, throw in the beans and wait another half hour.
3. Meanwhile, put the kettle on, grate the cheese and chop the mint (set aside 8 leaves for decoration). When the soup is ready, add cheese and mint, add half a glass of boiling water - and you can pour it into plates. Each one contains 2 mint leaves for beauty.

Spelled salad with tomatoes

You will need: a glass of spelled (preferably steamed), a head of red onion, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 4 tomatoes, one cucumber, a handful (lettuce, etc.), salt and pepper and olive oil.

Pour vinegar over the chopped onions and leave to marinate. At this time, cook the spelled in water and let it cool. We cut vegetables and herbs, mix with onions, butter and spelled. Ready!

Imagine, in one of the bakeries in Wales, in Britain, whole grain spelled bread is sold 4 times more expensive than usual! And we were incredibly lucky - almost every large supermarket sells both flour and spelled at a reasonable price - how to cook, the imagination of the housewife and culinary forums will tell you. Not just buckwheat...

It often happens that the new is the well-forgotten old. At the beginning of the 21st century, humanity turned its attention to spelt (emmer or spelled), one of the first cereals in history, the ancestor of modern wheat, whose history goes back more than 10 thousand years. This wonderful cereal turned out to be almost forgotten, unable to withstand competition with wheat, which is more productive and easier to process. However, when it comes to health benefits, spelt is far superior to all modern wheat varieties.

The benefits of spelled

The main advantage of spelled over wheat and other cereals is its high protein content and the presence of 18 amino acids. This means that spelled can become an almost complete replacement for animal products. Another remarkable feature of spelled is its high fiber content, which means that spelled quickly and for a long time saturates, energizes, normalizes intestinal function and promotes better absorption of nutrients from food, which in turn means strengthening the immune system, normalizing hormonal levels and increasing resistance to stress.

As for vitamins and microelements, spelled contains vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B6, B12), E and PP. Spelled contains much more magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, copper and manganese than modern wheat varieties. At the same time, spelled is surprisingly low in calories - only 127 calories per 100 g of raw cereal - so you can safely eat it with any diet.

Spelled dishes should certainly be included in the diet of people suffering from high cholesterol and blood sugar, since due to its unique composition, spelled stimulates the removal of excess cholesterol from the body and normalizes sugar levels. As a result, the strength and elasticity of blood vessels increases, heart function improves, the risk of diabetes decreases, fat deposits are reduced, toxins and waste are eliminated. Spelled stimulates the growth of muscles and other tissues, strengthens bone tissue, so it is necessary for children, the elderly, pregnant and lactating women, under severe physical and mental stress.

It should be noted that all of the above applies only to whole grain spelled, which has retained its dense shell. On sale there is also a more convenient instant spelled spelled, practically devoid of useful properties.

Spelled does not cook quickly, but does not require much attention. The ideal conditions for spelled porridge are a Russian oven, where heating occurs from all sides and the heat lasts for a long time. Similar conditions can be obtained in a slow cooker, in the oven, or in a special saucepan with a double bottom - a milk cooker.

Before cooking, the cereal must be rinsed several times with running water and soaked in plenty of water for 1-2 hours. You can soak it overnight, but it's not necessary. You can cook spelled in water or in a mixture of water and milk. First, the spelled is cooked in water, and when the water is completely absorbed, you need to add warm milk and continue cooking over low heat or in the oven.

To cook crumbly spelled as a side dish or for salad, you need to take 2 times the volume of water. For fluffy porridge, 3-4 times more liquid is required; baby food may require 5 parts water to one part cereal. It is recommended to season the finished spelled porridge with a piece of butter, stir and leave in the oven or in a saucepan for 20-30 minutes so that it steams and becomes even tastier and more tender.

Porridge with spelled and vegetables

Ingredients:
1 onion,
1 clove of garlic,
1 carrot,
1 glass spelled,
1 pinch of salt,
1 tbsp. vegetable oil,
30 g butter.

Preparation:
Wash and soak the spelled an hour before cooking. In a thick-walled saucepan or wok, fry finely chopped onion and garlic, add thinly sliced ​​carrots and simmer until soft. Add spelled, salt, stir and pour in 2 cups of water. Bring the porridge to a boil and cook over low heat for 30-40 minutes. Put butter in the porridge, cover the pan with a warm towel and leave to brew for another 20-30 minutes.

Salad with spelled and vegetables

Ingredients:
1 glass spelled,
1 red onion,
3 tbsp. wine or balsamic vinegar,
3-4 tomatoes,
1-2 cucumbers,
2-3 sprigs of basil,
1 bunch of arugula,
olive oil, salt, pepper to taste.

Preparation:
Pour the washed spelt with 3 glasses of water, add salt and cook over low heat for 40-45 minutes, cool under the lid. Cut the onion into thin rings, pour in vinegar and leave for 30-40 minutes. When the spelled has cooled, stir it with a fork, place it in a bowl, add the onion squeezed out of the vinegar, randomly chopped vegetables and herbs. Stir gently, drizzle with oil and serve.

Arisa (spelled meat porridge)

Ingredients:
200 g spelled,
300 g lean meat,
100 g butter,
Salt, spices to taste.

Preparation:
Soak the spelled in cold water for 1 hour. Meanwhile, cut the meat into cubes, add 2 liters of water, bring to a boil and cook for 1 hour. Drain the water from the spelled, add to the meat, add salt, add spices and cook for another 1.5-2 hours over low heat, stirring occasionally and checking the amount of water. If the porridge starts to burn, add a little hot water. Put half the butter into the prepared porridge and leave the porridge covered for 10-15 minutes. Divide the porridge into bowls and season with the remaining oil.

Cream soup with spelled

Ingredients:
1 glass spelled,
0.5 cups white beans,
1 liter of meat broth or water,
1 onion,
1 leek stalk,
0.5 cups cream,
Salt, pepper, bay leaf, nutmeg, ginger to taste.

Preparation:
Soak spelled and beans in plenty of water for several hours. Drain the water, put the spelled and beans in a saucepan, add broth or water, salt, add spices, bring to a boil and cook for about an hour until the cereal and beans are soft. Separately, sauté finely chopped onions, leeks and carrots, add them to the soup and puree it with a blender. Pour in the heated cream and beat again until smooth. Serve the soup with garlic croutons.

Spelled was a popular grain crop in ancient times. Excellent soups and side dishes were prepared from it, which turned out to be very filling and tasty. Spelled - what it is, how to prepare it correctly and what properties it has, let's take a closer look.

Today it is called a wild relative of wheat. Outwardly it looks like a reddish-red spike. It has a spicy taste, with a sweetish-nutty note. It also has other names - spelled, eminkorn or kamut.

Scientists have found that this crop does not tolerate chemically contaminated soils, so it is grown exclusively on environmentally friendly lands. It is also not capable of accumulating carcinogens, mineral fertilizers for cereals and other plants, and other substances, which makes it even more attractive as a healthy dish.

Composition and calorie content

Due to the lack of ability to cross with other crops, spelled was able to retain its composition in its original form. That is why it is much healthier than modern varieties of wheat.

Spelled composition:

• vegetable protein in amounts up to 37%;
• vitamins of groups B, PP and E;
• 18 types of amino acids;
• many microelements such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, copper, calcium and others.

It is worth noting that the substances are contained not only in the grains, but also in its shell.

Spelled: benefits and harm to the body

The cereal plant is often prescribed for various diseases, as one of the components of a healthy menu.

But there are also some contraindications, so the benefits and harms of spelled for the body must be known before consuming it.

Benefits of Emerald:

• a source of large amounts of energy when exhausted by physical activity;
• normalization of intestinal function;
• prophylactic against oncology;
• normalization of blood pressure and psychological state;
• decrease in glucose;
• beneficial effects on skin condition, vision, memory, concentration, and ability to conceive.

Harm to the body is only possible if a person is intolerant to the product. The very rejection of the product lies in the presence of gluten in the grains, which is found in all cereals of the wheat genus. Failure to take the substance is expressed in digestive disorders - bloating, diarrhea.

If you take spelled dishes despite intolerance, you may develop celiac disease, for which there is no effective cure yet. The only way to protect yourself from exacerbation of the disease is not to consume products made from wheat cereals.

Benefits for weight loss

The opinion of nutritionists on this topic is unanimous - it is precisely because of the rejection of such foods rich in beneficial microelements that modern people have so many different diseases. The calorie content of the cereal is 127 kcal; with a high protein content, it is very useful during sports and is well suited for dietary nutrition.

How to cook cereal?

The grain is used in various dishes - soups, sauces, side dishes in its pure form and with stewed vegetables. It even makes good flour, but it is rarely used in baking - the products turn out to be harsh and dry out quickly. But the simplest and most popular option for preparing it is simple porridge cooked in water or milk.

We offer for consideration several simple and tasty recipes for dishes made from einkorn.

Important! When choosing, it is recommended not to purchase instant porridge. They most often contain flavor enhancers and various synthetic additives. Also, due to partial heat treatment, they have already lost some of the nutrients.

Old Russian spelled porridge

The most common spelled porridge is prepared in water. If you like sweet porridges, you can add a little more sugar, enrich them with pieces of dried fruit, fresh fruit, raisins or nuts, and add a little honey before serving. Or, on the contrary, add stewed vegetables, spices, pour over the sauce - you will get a hearty and tasty side dish for meat dishes.

• spelled - 2 cups;
• water - 4 cups;
• cube of butter;
• salt and sugar - 1 tsp each.

How to cook spelled:

1. Rinse the grains well through a sieve or in a deep container, draining the dirty water.
2. Boil water, add salt and sugar, add spelled and cook until tender, stirring.
3. When almost all the water is absorbed, add oil. Wait until it melts and stir the porridge. Turn off when there is no water left in the container.

Cereal soup recipe

• turkey - 500 gr;
• spelled - 50 g;
• carrots, green bell peppers and onions - 1 unit each;
• salt - ½ tbsp. l. (adjust according to taste preferences);
• pepper mixture - a pinch;
• garlic - 1 clove;
• tomatoes - 3 fruits;
• cauliflower - 100 g;
• drain butter - 30 g;
• greens optional;
• water - 1.3-1.5 l.

First, prepare the broth: rinse the turkey and put it in water. From the moment of boiling, cook for a third of an hour, not forgetting to collect the foam, otherwise the broth will turn out cloudy. Let the meat cool, then separate it into portions and put it back into the broth.

Next, prepare the vegetables: chop the onion and garlic and simmer in hot oil in a saucepan. In the meantime, cut the carrots into quarters, the peppers into cubes, simply separate the cabbage into inflorescences, peel the tomatoes and divide them into cubes. Gradually, as you prepare the vegetables, add them to the saucepan to sauté, stirring occasionally.

Let the vegetables simmer for a few more minutes together, adding salt and seasoning, meanwhile washing the spelled. Add the cereal to the vegetables, cook for another five minutes, and add to the broth with the meat. Bring the soup to a boil, cook for about five minutes, add chopped herbs, and after a couple of minutes turn off the heat. Leave covered for a third of an hour.

Cooking in a slow cooker with meat

• pork tenderloin without veins and films - 1 kg;
• einkorn - 500 g;
• walnut kernels - a glass;
• champignons - 500 gr;
• carrots and onions - 1 unit each;
• drain butter - a couple of spoons;
• salt - table. level spoon (adjust to taste);
• water - 1.5 l;
• pepper - tea l.;
• Bay leaf.

Rinse the meat, cut into small slices. Peel and chop the onions, mushrooms and carrots, chop the nuts. Place oil in a multi-cooker bowl, heat for a couple of minutes in the “Fry” program, add vegetables, mushrooms and nuts. Fry for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, boil water.

Use a wooden or silicone spoon to collect in a separate bowl, pour hot water and place the meat in it, add salt and bay leaves. Cook for 40 minutes in “Soup” mode, cover with a lid.

The next step is to rinse the spelt and place the finished meat in the broth. Along with the cereal, send the sauteed meat prepared earlier. Pepper, turn on the “Stew” mode for half an hour and cover again.

Spelled pasta for garnish

Spelled pasta is no less tasty than classic wheat pasta. Pasta makes an excellent side dish, tasty and healthy.

• spelled pasta - 175 g;
• water - 2 l;
• salt - third table. l.;
• drain butter - 30 gr.

Boil water, put pasta in it, add salt. Wait until the water boils again and set aside for 10 minutes. Then drain in a colander, transfer to the main dish and season with oil.

The side dish is ready. You can add fried mushrooms, chicken or pork dishes, pour over nut sauce, and sprinkle with fresh herbs.

8

Diets and healthy eating 07.04.2018

Doctors never cease to remind us of the importance of including cereals in the diet. Cereals such as buckwheat, barley, and oatmeal improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and saturate the body with essential nutrients and vitamins. All these cereals are well known to us since childhood, but have you heard of spelled?

Many people are familiar with spelled from a children's fairy tale by A.S. Pushkin “The Tale of the Priest and His Worker Balda.” Balda says: “I will serve you nicely, diligently and very regularly. A year for three clicks on your forehead. Give me some boiled spelt.”

And it’s not for nothing that the great poet sang about this mess in his fairy tale. More than two thousand years ago, spelled was the ancestor of today's wheat, which is why it often appears in children's fairy tales and poems. Let's find out together what the uniqueness, benefits and harms of spelled are for the human body.

What is spelled

This truly unique product was first mentioned in scientific works in the first half of the 20th century. You can also find other names for this cereal crop: spelled, emmer, and emmer. So, what is this spelled grain?

For a long time it was believed that spelled was a separate variety of wheat, but this is not true. In the botanical reference book “Cultural Flora of the USSR,” spelled was already described as a separate species of Triticum dicoccon, which suggests that it is the ancestor from which various types of wheat were bred. Let's see what spelled looks like in the photo.

Its grains are in many ways similar to wheat, but larger in size and the shell is protected by hard scales. Thanks to this botanical structure, spelled was protected from harsh climatic conditions, wild weeds, drought, and pests.

A little history

In ancient Babylon and Egypt, spelled was eaten daily. In Rus', the popularity of this cereal dates back to the 18th century. Spelled grains contain a large amount of protein and fiber, so this product was given special importance. It was believed that those who ate spelled porridge would be strong and healthy in Mother Rus'.

Despite the ease of growing spelled, there was one significant drawback: the plant produced a small amount of grains, which were also poorly processed (cleaned, threshed). Therefore, when new varieties of wheat were developed, spelt faded into the background.

Interest in this cereal crop has recently increased as the popularity of the wellness industry has grown. Many nutritionists agree that spelled is a striking example of a plant that has retained its properties in its original form.

Today, in the distant regions of Bashkiria and Dagestan, breeders continue to try to revive this cereal crop. In Russia, spelled can be found on supermarket shelves under the trade name “kamut”. This product is imported from the USA.

In Italy and India, spelled received the interesting name “black caviar of cereals,” which only emphasizes the importance of this cereal.

What is the main difference between spelled and wheat?

Cultivated wheat contains its most useful substances in the seed coat, in the so-called bran; white flour, purified from everything, has practically no beneficial properties for the body; in spelled, valuable substances are distributed evenly and are difficult to find even in crushed cereals, a priori freed from germ membranes. detachable protective film and other things.

The protective film prevents pesticides and radioactive elements from penetrating the grain. There are much more vitamins and microelements in spelled than in wheat.

Chemical composition and calorie content

The growing interest in spelled is based on its chemical composition. For 100 g of cereal there is:

• proteins – 15 g;
• fats – 2.4 g;
• carbohydrates – 70 g.

Nutritionists recommend including this high-protein product in your diet if you want to lose weight and maintain physical fitness. This is due to its low calorie content: 100 g of dry spelled contains 338 kcal. and if cooked – 127 kcal per 100 grams.

The table presents data on the calorie content of cooked spelled for the main units of measurement of its weight at home:

The benefits of spelled for our body

As already noted, spelled is often compared to ordinary wheat, but it contains several times more macro- and microelements, vitamins: iron, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), (vitamin B9), manganese, copper . It should be noted that it contains almost the entire set of B vitamins, which are our vision, memory, and immunity.

Spelled is rich in protein! Not a single porridge can “boast” of this! In addition, gluten protein contains all 18 essential amino acids necessary for human health and which cannot be obtained from animal foods.

The nutrients in the grains of this cereal crop are selected by nature in a balanced form and, when entering the body, they quickly dissolve and are absorbed.

Nutritionists recommend eating spelled dishes, since its nutrients are evenly distributed not only throughout the shell, but throughout the entire grain. This means that the benefits of spelled are preserved even with the finest grinding.

Speaking about the importance of spelled for human health, I would like to start with the fact that in recent years the number of patients (especially among preschool children) suffering from asthma and allergies has increased significantly. What is unique about spelled? It is this cereal that contains a small amount of gluten, which often causes the development of these autoimmune diseases.

Spelled gluten does not cause digestive disorders and is allowed for patients with celiac disease.

Beneficial properties for the human body

Regular consumption of spelled helps to normalize the functioning of many internal organ systems:

• reducing the risk of infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• antitumor effect due to the removal of toxins and carcinogens from the body;
• improvement of intestinal motility, secretion of intestinal glands, digestion due to the high fiber content in grains;
• prevention of anemia;
• strengthening the skeletal system;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• improving the functioning of the endocrine system;
• reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases: stroke, heart attack, ischemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension;
• blood sugar control;
• increased libido in men;
• improvement of vision and condition of skin, hair, nails;
• reduction of cholesterol in the blood.

Considering the beneficial properties of spelled cereal, the range of its use is quite wide, but it is not limited to health purposes. This product has become the basis of dietary nutrition, and various cosmetology services are performed on its basis.

Cereals help to reduce weight gently and without harm to the body. Nutritionists explain this effect by the fact that this organic product is well absorbed by the body and does not cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Spelled porridge is rich in complex carbohydrates, so it is digested slowly and gives you a feeling of fullness for a long time, which means that after such a tomorrow there will be no desire to eat something high-calorie and “forbidden”.

It is no coincidence that spelled is called black caviar, because it is very nutritious. A small portion of cooked spelled dishes will saturate the body and prevent the feeling of hunger from appearing quickly.

This organic product contains a large amount of B vitamins, the action of which is aimed at the rapid absorption of fats, which is important when losing weight. In addition, spelled dishes improve peristalsis and the overall functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and this helps in the fight against obesity.

Basic rules of use

1. Porridge should be cooked in water or vegetable milk to reduce calorie content.
2. It is allowed to add nuts, honey, dried fruits instead of sugar.
3. Meals should be divided: 5-6 meals per day.
4. It is advisable to eat spelled dishes before lunch, since metabolic processes slow down in the evening.
5. Half an hour before meals you should drink 150-200 ml of water.
6. The remaining meals should include lean fish and meats, and plenty of fresh vegetables.

If you follow a diet based on this cereal, you can lose up to 5 kg per week.

Let's watch a video about the benefits and possible harm of spelled for the human body.

Storage features and where to buy

Finding spelled in supermarkets is quite problematic, since this product is still rare. In some stores that sell their own baked goods, you can find fluffy baked goods based on this cereal crop. You may also come across other names for this product: kamut, emmer, spelled, and emmer. But they are all the same cereal.

You can purchase spelled in specialized stores or order online. Most often it is sold in 4 types: cereal, flour, for sprouting, ready-made sprouts. Remember that the preservation of the beneficial properties of the product is affected by storage conditions.

When purchasing, pay attention to the integrity of the packaging. There should be no impurities. It is better to buy spelled in cardboard or paper packaging. This is how the cereal “breathes” and retains its beneficial properties.

Store spelled in the refrigerator in an airtight glass or ceramic jar. It is not advisable to keep spelled packaging in a cabinet with other strong-smelling products, as it absorbs foreign odors. The maximum shelf life is six months. You can store it in the refrigerator.

Possible harm and contraindications

Can spelled harm our body? Spelled is not recommended for consumption by people with individual intolerance to its constituent components. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome should avoid consuming this product. These are the only contraindications that need to be taken into account. If you are not sure about the neutral reaction of the body to spelt, start consuming it in small portions, monitoring your well-being.

Simple spelled recipes

Nutritionists remind that the consumption rate for spelled per day is 100 g. Porridges, casseroles, soups, pasta are prepared from these grains, served as a side dish for fish and meat dishes, and used as breading. Let's look at popular spelled recipes.

Spelled porridge according to the classic recipe

You will need the following ingredients:

• 400 g cereal;
• one liter of water;
• butter;
• salt and sugar.

First, rinse the cereal thoroughly until the water runs clear. Pour water into a saucepan and place on the stove. As soon as the water boils, you can add the washed spelt.

Cook the porridge for about 30 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Finally, add butter, salt or sugar to taste. Prepared spelled porridge according to this recipe is perfect for a diet breakfast or as a side dish.

Sweet spelled porridge in a slow cooker

Nowadays, every housewife has a multicooker in her kitchen, which has become a real indispensable assistant. If you don’t have time to constantly monitor the cooking process, then this unit will help you out.

In order to cook spelled porridge in a slow cooker you will need:

• 500 g cereal;
• 500 ml milk;
• fresh berries, fruits, dried fruits.

Pour 500 ml of milk into the multicooker bowl and turn on the “Cook” mode for 10 minutes. Pour the cereal into warm milk and set the “Porridge” mode for 30 minutes. Add berries and dried fruits to the finished dish. If you want to serve spelled porridge for children in an unusual way, try blending raspberries, bananas, and persimmons in a blender. Place the porridge on a plate and make a well in the center, into which then add the fruit puree. The treat is ready!

Spelled pasta

I recommend visiting health food stores more often. This is where you can find spelled pasta, which is made from ground cereal with the addition of water and table salt. As you can see, the composition is completely natural, and such a product will bring a lot of benefits. The calorie content of such pasta varies depending on the ingredients used and can be 340-370 kcal per 100 g.

Boil spelled pasta in the same way as regular wheat pasta, but pay attention to the label. Some manufacturers have different cooking times. Add a piece of butter to the finished dish, sprinkle with dill and serve.

For a heartier dish, serve it with a thick vegetable sauce. For 400g spelled pasta you will need:

• champignon mushrooms 200 g;
• bell pepper 100 g;
• one medium-sized onion;
• one carrot;
• a tablespoon of tomato paste;
• green onions.

Boil the pasta until done and make the sauce. To do this, cut the vegetables into small slices. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and add mushrooms. When the liquid has evaporated (about 10 minutes), add the remaining vegetables.

Reduce heat and continue simmering until done. Add a tablespoon of tomato paste, 100 ml of water and simmer the vegetable mixture for another 10 minutes. Serve the spelled pasta with the thick vegetable sauce and green onions.

Armenian spelled salad

If you want to surprise your guests, then be sure to try the salad recipe from the host of the culinary show “Eating at Home” Yulia Vysotskaya.

You will need:

• 100 g spelled;
• 100 g lentils;
• 100 g green beans;
• 50 g feta or Adyghe cheese;
• 1 tomato;
• a tablespoon of lemon juice;
• greens: mint, cilantro, basil, parsley;
• salt, ground pepper;
• olive oil.

Cook lentils until tender according to label instructions. Pour 100 ml of boiling water over the spelled and leave for 40 minutes. Place green beans in boiling water for a few minutes and then rinse with ice water.

Add lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped herbs and green beans to the container with the prepared lentils. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste, add spelled and mix thoroughly. Cut the cheese into cubes and sprinkle it on the salad.

Cut the tomato into thin slices and place it along the edges of the plate, and the finished salad in the center. All that remains is to drizzle everything with olive oil and serve. Be sure to watch the video about what kind of spelled grain it is and how it is Three dishes with old Russian spelled.

Application in cosmetology

With regular consumption of spelled dishes, the complexion is evened out, hair is restored, and nails are strengthened. Cosmetologists know firsthand the benefits of spelled and use it successfully.

Flour from this cereal is added to face and hair masks, and scrubs and body wraps are made from it.

Adherents of traditional medicine willingly share tips on how to use spelt for cosmetic purposes at home.

Scrub

Grind three tablespoons of spelled grains in a blender or coffee grinder and mix with the same amount of ground coffee. If your skin is very sensitive and prone to rosacea, use coffee grounds. Add a spoonful of honey to the resulting mixture and mix thoroughly. Apply the scrub in circular motions, carefully working through problem areas. To combat cellulite, add 2-3 drops of essential oil (orange, lemon, cypress, lavender, thyme).

Lifting mask

Mix a tablespoon of spelled flour with one egg and ½ tablespoon of sour cream. Apply the mask to a previously cleansed face three times a week. According to reviews, skin tone improves after one month.

Spelled is recommended by gastroenterologists and nutritionists around the world for health improvement as a completely natural and safe product. Be sure to try the ancestor of wheat and make sure that it is not only healthy, but also tasty.

This is such an interesting article we have today! I am glad that old Russian products are regaining their former popularity. This once again proves the fact that more and more people are striving for a healthy lifestyle. Spelled has been valued for many centuries for its valuable composition and beneficial properties.

Dear readers, are you familiar with this cereal? Maybe you know interesting recipes based on spelled? Be sure to share your experience and be healthy!

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