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Kasha
(or porridge) is one of the most common meals of
East European and Russian cuisines. So, what is
kasha? Opposite to misconception
that kasha is made only from buckwheat (buckwheat
kasha) - kasha historically is
a meal prepared using any grain (buckwheat,
oats, wheat, millet, barley, rice, etc) as a
main ingredient.
Also, when talking about kasha, it is difficult
not to mention whole grain foods story which
becomes more and more popular around a
world. Kasha, if prepared using whole
grains, can be a great addition to a long
range of delicious whole grain foods and
excellent way to enjoy health benefits of whole
grains.
Kasha as Russian
food has a very long
history. In
Russia for hundreds of years it was
considered the most common, second in importance
to only bread, meal. Even now kasha is one of
the basic elements of Russian food. It
can be sweet or savory,
served at breakfast, as a side dish or even as a
meal in itself. Kasha can be plain or cooked with
other ingredients.
It is difficult to imagine any simpler and easier
cooked meal that in the same time has so
many varieties and flavors.
Usually, kasha is
very easy to cook. Dozens of easy kasha recipes exist, including
quick recipes for kids,
vegetarian,
vegan recipes, whole
grain foods and recipes, and even raw food diet
recipes. All in all, kasha is great for children and
adults - many
grains used to cook kasha contain dietary fiber,
the wide range of
vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It can
be a part of any healthy diet. Kasha
prepared from whole
grains is especially nutritionally reach .
Also, kasha is probably the easiest meal where
you can experiment by creating your own recipes.
Cooking kasha is never boring - you can try hundreds of new flavors and varieties
of kasha by
changing cooking techniques and by adding
different ingredients. Just follow these simple
kasha coking tips we have on this website.
You can prepare low-fat and low-calorie
meals, as well as delicious vegetarian and
vegan meals. With hundreds ingredients
to choose from, your family, including your
kids, will never get bored even eating kasha
every day.
And of cause, don't forget
about another popular Russian food: Russian
borsch (borscht) or shchi
for starter.
You can even make cooking kasha
to be a part of family fun by inviting your
children to participate in choosing and mixing kasha
ingredients.
Start by by reading "Where
to Start" section
of this website to learn about kasha cooking
techniques and ingredients. Then select one of many kasha cooking
recipes we have here, including
vegetarian,
vegan and
traditional
Russian
recipes. Try it and we are sure that
you will want to
come back for more. Please, bookmark
our website or, even
better, subscribe to
"Kasha and Whole Grain
Foods" newsletter and
get free updates with new recipes, cooking
tips, articles about whole grain foods and
recipes, vegan and vegetarian diet, and
promotions from our advertisers.
Whole Grains Fact:
In whole grains the bran is the hard outer shell that provides a rich source of fiber, trace minerals, phytochemicals and B vitamins.
This is why food prepared according whole grain recipes is longer to cook.
See
more about whole grain facts and recipes.
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