Chia ? and yay!

[sidrah]

So, I was watching this video about sprouting quinoa and then some other videos. I had some red quinoa, so I tried it. And, it worked!! I thought it would be hard, but it wasn't. So, when I was out today, I got some lentils and garbanzo beans. Man, if it makes that much, I know what I will be making with salads and really letting my money stretch far.

Other news:

-I found starfruit for $1.50 each

-I found a whole lot of chia seeds in 3 different stores...of course, i had never even glanced at them before. I hope I bought the right ones. These were really cheap. Are there many kinds? THese looked like poppy seeds. I hear so much about them, I thought I would try them. Then, I got to thinking, chia seed, like CHIA PET?! :eek:

-I got frozen goji berries. Not dried, the ony way I have ever seen them prior

-Mangoes were 50 cents each. Corn was 12 cents each. Tomatos and cucumbers and peppers were cheap, everything was a great price

[KathleenL]

I have been meaning to try sprouted quinoa. I love cooked quinoa pre-raw so really can't wait. It sounds like it a process...soaking, then letting it dry for 5 hrs? Does it taste the same as cooked?

I love my chia seeds. I put them in everything I can and they also really keep you filled up.

And I also love raw corn!! I just posted a recipe on my blog using it. Chopped up veggies and raw corn with a simple dressing is my new favorite summer dish.

[DebB]

Quioa sprouts so quickly! I soak it overnight and in the morning when I drain off the water, they've already got tails - ha!

Yep - chia as in chia pet! I've got white and black. I haven't tried the white yet. I love making tapioca-like pudding. I haven't made it in a long time, I think it's time to make some again.

I've never tried star fruit - what does it taste like to you? *Ü*

[sidrah]

Star fruit is good, taste all tropical-y, like in the mango, papaya, but not as mushy family. It is hard to find for a good price. The last one I saw was smaller, getting spts on it, and $6 for one. These were nice, green/yellow, firm and $1.50.


I was reading about chia seeds and the notes all said it has to be mixed with water and eventually forms a gellatinous substance if left to sit. Then, I read people eat them by the spoon, so I was confused. But they seems to have properties that are great and they are cheap, so that is good.

THis is the post I came across and followed and it worked very well:

I have now abandoned the method I have been using for 2 years in favour of the following method for sprouting quinoa.

Sprouting Quinoa Grains - Method 2


Rinse the required amount of quinoa in a sieve.
Immerse in water for 8 hours
Rinse once more
Place the soaked quinoa in a bowl in the fridge for about 12 hours

The grains will have sprouted with long thin tails. The grains can be combined with salad ingredients just as other types of sprouts. They can also be thrown into a stir fry dish with courgettes, mushrooms and other vegetables of your choice.
The tails are bigger and longer than those I have had in my sprouting unit and they seem to taste better. To top it all this is half the time it use to take using the other method.

[DebB]

Hmm - I'm going to have to try one sidrah. Today I bought a piece of sugar cane to try. I've never had that before either.. *Ü*

[StarFire]

Then, I got to thinking, chia seed, like CHIA PET?! :eek:




http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/laugh.gif YES!! jes like chia pet!! We never knew the health benefits were so amazing!!

Chia seeds are said to have:

*2 times the protein of any other seed or grain,

*5 times the calcium of milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones,

*2 times the amount of potassium as bananas,

*3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries

*3 times more iron than spinach

*copious amounts of omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential fatty acids

They are a complete source of protein, providing all the essential amino acids in an easily digestible form. They are also a fabulous source of soluble fibre. Like flax, chia is highly hydrophilic: the seeds absorb water and create a mucilaginous gel. They can hold 9-12 times their weight in water and they absorb it very rapidly - in under 10 minutes.

One advantage of chia is that because it has such a high antioxidant content, the seeds stay stable for much longer, whereas flax, for example, may turn rancid. Chia seeds can easily be stored dry for 4-5 years without deterioration in flavour, odour or nutritional value. You can substitute chia in any recipe that calls for flax.

The taste of chia is very mild and pleasant. That means you can easily combine it with other foods without changing the taste dramatically. People add chia to their sauces, bread batters, puddings, smoothies and more. The flavour is retained, plus a lot more nutrition is added.

[Miss Marie]

That's WONDERFUL news!! :D
Thank you StarFire!
I strongly dislike the taste of flax most of the time - which makes it hard to stay raw when I want something dry and crunchy and all there is, is FLAX crackers.

In substituting chia for flax - do you use the same amounts?

Ex: 1 cup ground flax = 1 cup chia?

Do people ever grind chia into powder before use?

[StarFire]

I've never actually substituted chia before.
I got these facts from Chef Steph who is the Executive Chef for Excalibur (the dehydrators)...

I would do a trial run -- make a small batch of something... do an equal exchange in measurement 1 cup for 1 cup... and see how they turn out. and make sure to let us know!! I would imagine it is probably an equal measure because if it wasn't I think Chef would've said something.

as far as grinding the chia? .. gosh they are sooo small.. will they just whizz by the blades dancing around them or actually grind up? I dunno..

(gosh I'm a lot of help aren't I :D!)

[Miss Marie]

Looks like I have some experimenting to do! :D

[StarFire]

I'm so excited to hear how things turn out! And the taste... I'm wondering if the taste won't actually be better on things because Chia doens't affect or change the taste of anything... it takes on the taste of whatever it's being mixed with!
ooooo ... :D please let us know how it turns out!!

I would experiment with you except I'm living 'off grid' right now so I can't use my dehydrator for a while! bummerz....

and post pics too!! :D (please!) sorry - don't mean to be so demanding!! aahahahhaaa!!

[Miss Marie]

I'll definitely post my results(with pics) -
But I'm on day 25 of a 30 day green juice fast - so it'll be a little bit before I start with the chia experimentation. :)