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Friday, September 12, 2008

Food Storage Friday - Wheat Berries

I know we talked about wheat berries on Wednesday, and they are extremely easy to make, but everything seems more doable when you see a picture, right? I think so. Especially when it comes to foods we aren't familiar with.

Here's all you need to do to make wheat berries:

1 cup wheat kernels
4 cups water
1/2 tsp salt

Rinse wheat kernels. Combine ingredients and boil for 1 - 1.5 hours. Be sure to keep checking on them to make sure your water doesn't boil out. Some people soak them overnight first but that is not necessary.

Now, here's a list of things you can do with wheat berries:
  • eat them freshly hot and cooked (great breakfast food). Many people add honey to sweeten it up, or you can add a little brown sugar and milk. Be as creative as you want! I know people also like to add dried fruit (like raisins or craisins). I've even heard of people adding a little bit of peanut butter for added protein and flavor.
  • if you've tried wheat berries and you (or your kids) don't love them, try mixing them in with oatmeal to disguise the flavor. That way, you can still get the nutrition benefits.

  • you can add wheat berries to soups and stew for extra nutrition and heartiness

  • wheat berries are great in bread! Just add them to your dough for added nutrition

  • add them cold to salads

  • try using wheat berries in a recipe that calls for rice

Are you familiar with wheat berries? How do you eat them?

Photo courtesy of www.eatingwell.com

10 comments:

Daniel Longmore said...

What about storing. Do they keep for days or weeks. Put them in a sealed bowl in the fridge (or what)?

Hannah said...

wheat berries can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. You can also put them in a freezer bag and freeze them indefinitely.

Anonymous said...

Ok now I'm totally confused. It sez how to make wheat berries, but then for the ingredients it sez 1 cup of wheat berries, am I missing something. Do you buy wheat berries and then this is how to cook them. Pls help.

Deb

Hannah said...

sorry, I probably should have just put "wheat kernels". I'll change that so it's more clear. This refers to the wheat as it comes from the store, in the bags. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

i ate wheat berries for the first time a few weeks ago. i was broke and didn't have lunch for work, so every night i'd put them in my thermos with boiling water. by morning they would be ready. i mixed them with a little raw sugar or honey, and sometimes with the free flavored creamers for coffee. french vanilla and caramel were my favorites.

Mirien said...

I like wheat berries in tuna or chicken salad on a sandwich. It adds a great texture and flavor, in addition to the extra fiber and protein.

Anonymous said...

You can put wheat berries in any casserole. I've had them in tuna casserole and it was yummy, and I have also put them in other casseroles. They can also be used to stretch ground beef in things like tacos or sloppy joes. It is important to incorporate whole wheat flour and/or wheat berries into your diet so your body is used to it and it doesn't make you sick when you suddenly have to live off food storage.

Anonymous said...

I left cooked wheat berries on the counter overnight. Can I still eat them or will they make me sick?

miss_E said...

i thought these wheat berries kept for ever in a dry, cool place, but i see here you are asking for them to be refrigerated.. can you clarify? thanks!!

Nikki said...

I've put wheat berries in my tacos to stretch the hamburger meat.