Grandma's secret method of wrapping a pot in a quilt when cooking buckwheat groats

Modern cuisine is leaning towards healthier and organic products more than ever before. One such treasure is buckwheat groats. Despite its unique nutritional value, buckwheat often remains overlooked in favor of popular grains. Let's discover why we should embrace buckwheat groats and explore their culinary potential!

Buckwheat groats are valued for their taste, nutritional properties, and versatility. You can serve them in sweet or savory dishes, as a side dish for lunch, dinner, or even dessert.

Buckwheat groats - a healthy and tasty option

There are two types of buckwheat groats: unroasted and roasted, both manufactured from hulled buckwheat seeds. This grain is a powerhouse of nutrition. 3.5 ounces of raw groats contain 346 kcal, 11.7 g of protein, 2.7 g of fat, 75 g of carbohydrates, and 10.3 g of fiber. What's more, buckwheat groats are gluten-free, making them ideal for those following a gluten-free diet.

Buckwheat groats boast numerous health benefits. They're a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some of the nutrients found in buckwheat groats:

• Protein, essential for muscle building and regeneration,
• Fiber, beneficial for maintaining a healthy digestive system,
• B vitamins, crucial for the normal function of the nervous system,
• Magnesium, necessary for muscle and nervous system health,
• Iron, vital for proper blood production.

To correctly cook your buckwheat, you'll need two cups of water, a pinch of salt, and a bit of butter for each cup of raw buckwheat. It's preferable to cook the buckwheat in a heavy-bottomed pot, covered, over low heat. Avoid rinsing the groats before cooking, as they absorb water. Instead, add your dry groats to boiling, salted water with the butter and let them cook for about 15–20 minutes. Afterward, simply drain the excess water and your buckwheat groats are ready to serve.

To ensure your cooked groats are even fluffier and tastier, try my grandmother's little secret. After the groats have boiled, remove the pot from the heat and carefully wrap it in a blanket or quilt for around 20 minutes. This simple yet effective trick ensures perfectly cooked groats, without any excess water. Plus, it saves both energy and time, as the groats continue to cook on their own.

Remember, whether you're cooking your buckwheat groats in plain water or using grandma's trick, it is always healthier to buy bulk groats rather than ones packaged in plastic. Loose grains don't release harmful substances during cooking, which makes our food both delicious and beneficial for our health. For these reasons, it's worth reintroducing buckwheat groats into our meals - it's not just about the flavor, but also about looking after our wellbeing.