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Choosing
Right Kasha Cookware
Why this
is important. In general, any kasha can be cooked in regular
saucepans. Just remember, that if a recipe
requires cooking in an oven then your saucepan
must be oven-safe. However, while cooking processed grains,
a combination of water
and high temperature surface of the cookware may
result in kasha sticking to the bottom of a
cookware and get burnt. This is
why if recipe requires cooking kasha in boiling
water, it also usually requires constant stirring
to prevent sticking. Many other factors increase
possibility of kasha getting burnt during contact with high
heated surface of a cookware. For example, many recipes
require at some point to reduce a heat and keep cooking
for up to 2 hours until kasha is ready. In the
same time, especially while cooking crumbly
kasha, it is strongly recommended not to
stir kasha during cooking to keep grains shape
and prevent them from sticking to each
other. Not to mention that some recipes
require choosing exact amount of water so
all water is absorbed exactly by the time when
kasha is ready. Such factors as accuracy of the heat
source, altitude, age and quality of grains also play significant role in cooking.
Choosing
right cookware for preparing kasha makes big
difference. Ideally the cookware you want to use
to cook kasha should be made of material which
provides even heating. Good example of
such cookware could be enameled cast iron
cooking vessel made of cast iron covered with a
porcelain surface. It provides good heat
distribution combined with a non-reactive,
non-stick surface. Cast iron can also
withstand very high temperatures. You may
consider using french ovens, dutch ovens, or
roasters. It will benefit even more if the
cookware you are planning to use has smooth
bottom which is thicker than the walls. Always
check if the cookware can be used on the cook
top and in the oven.
One more
comment. During cooking, grains absorb water. Kasha
thickens and increases in volume. As the result
prepared product may take more
volume than all original ingredients combined.
Take this into consideration when selecting the
cookware.
There are
several useful tips
on how to cook
kasha
Next
Whole
Grains Fact: The Food Guide Pyramid advises
us to eat “six to 11 servings of grain foods a
day, with several of these being whole
grain". Americans have been advised to eat
more whole grain foods by at least 17 government, scientific, and non-profit organizations. Using whole grain recipes is one way to accomplish this goal.
See
more about whole grain facts and recipes.
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