How To Cook Amaranth For A Healthy Breakfast
Image Credit: Amaranth breakfast bowl

Amaranth is a nutrient-dense small seed that has become a favorite food for many people.  It makes excellent meals and is a great substitute for oatmeal. Breakfast made with amaranth grain is a healthy way to start the day. This ancient grain is a superfood because it is high in protein, fiber, magnesium, iron, and other nutrients. It's also naturally gluten-free, making it ideal for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The amaranth plant yields seeds. Amaranthus retroflexus is the most widespread and widely utilized of the 70 species of amaranth found around the world. Amaranth can be found growing wild, and in certain locations it is considered a weed. Others hunt for amaranth leaves and seeds, or grow it as a crop. The leaves, seeds, and roots of amaranth are all edible. Amaranth is classified as a pseudo-grain because the grains we use for cooking are actually the plant's seeds. 

Amaranth is neutral flavored, maybe a little nutty, similar to quinoa or oats. The flavour of amaranth is earthy and somewhat nutty, and the texture is similar to quinoa. Consider amaranth to be similar to other hearty grains like quinoa, which really doesn’t have a strong flavor when cooking it. Cooked amaranth is a wonderful method to add wellness to your meals because it is high in antioxidants and nutrients. There are 9.3 g of protein in just 1 cup (248 g) of cooked amaranth. When cooking amaranth, add a pinch of salt to bring out the natural flavour. You can sweeten it with honey, brown sugar, or other sweeteners, much like other breakfast grains, if cooking a recipe like dalia.  

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Soaking amaranth is also required in several recipes. Soaking amaranth softens and breaks up the outer layer containing phytic acid, making digestion easier. Phytic acid may play a minor function in iron and zinc absorption in some people. Phytic acid, on the other hand, contains antioxidant characteristics that are good for your health. Soak amaranth if you have digestive problems or difficulty with mineral absorption. If you don't have time to soak overnight, soak for at least 30 minutes. 

Prepare to spend some time if you want to learn how to cook amaranth for breakfast. A pot of amaranth takes approximately 25–35 minutes to cook. If you're not a morning person or if you're in a hurry, prepare amaranth ahead of time. It will keep for several days in the refrigerator if covered. Simply reheat with a splash of water. In only a few minutes, you'll have cooked amaranth. But don't be misled by the cooking time. It's mostly hands-off once the amaranth and water are brought to a boil. You only have to stir every now and then, leaving you free to do other things. You can alter the ingredients as per your liking to add to the cooked amaranth and enjoy a healthy breakfast.  

Cooked amaranth porridge, or fruit amaranth bowls are some healthy options among others.