The amaranth grain is a whole grain that bears a slight resemblance to rice grains. The amaranth grain has been known by man for approximately eight thousand years and is known as one of the primary staples of the Aztecs. Besides its history, amaranth grain is very valuable especially today’s health conscious world. This grain is gluten free and packed with protein, calcium, magnesium, iron and energy. It is the perfect substitute for rice and is also just as tasty if not more so than rice. However, because amaranth grain is not a popular food item many people tend to shy away from it. There is no need to do that because it is easily prepared and in many creative ways. The most popular way of preparing amaranth is to do it like rice. It is slightly less gummy, but has a sweeter taste, and tastes more like nuts than rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup amaranth grain (these are available in health food stores and some speciality supermarkets)
• 1 ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Required Tools
• 1 bowl
• 1 cooking pot

Instructions

Boiling

1. Wash the amaranth grains in a bowl with tap water twice.
2. Throw away the tap water used to wash the grains and pour the grains into the cooking pot.
3. Cover the amaranth grains with 1 ½ cups of water and add salt, make sure that the water completely covers the grains. If it only barely does, add a little bit more.
4. Cover the pot and place it on the cook top over a medium flame for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Check the grains after the first 12 minutes to make sure that the water is not dried out (if the water dries out, add more but make sure to test the texture of the grain before doing so. Testing the texture will help to determine how much water the grains need)
6. When the grains are almost the texture you want, turn off the flame and leave them on the stove over the same burner. They will continue to steam for a little while and the texture will be perfect.
7. Serve hot with any type of tasty meat dish. This meal serves four small portions.

Tips

• Add some butter or extra virgin olive oil to add a little bit more flavor to the amaranth grains.
• Do not add more than the specified amount of water at first. If that amount of water dries out, then add a bit more and let the grains soften a bit more.
• Do not cook the amaranth grains too long. They have a tendency to start getting gummy if too much water is added.
• Amaranth grains have a sweet and nutty flavor.
• Because amaranth grains can become very gummy when cooked with too much water, they make the perfect breakfast meal. Add 2 ½ to 3 cups of water and let the amaranth boil until it thickens and the grains are softened. Add milk and sugar to make a very tasty porridge. This dish is best served hot, and with meaty dishes.