Instructions to Cook Wheat Berries

If you are wondering what wheat berries are? I am not surprised, in fact not many are familiar with what it is called, however, wheat berries are an integral part of our daily diet, of course without the kernel. Since, wheat berries are simply the whole wheat kernels which are unprocessed!

They are loaded with immense nutritional value and perfect to eat any time of the year. They have a long list of health benefits and aid weight loss. In fact a recent survey mentioned that a number of people have substituted rice with the preparation of wheat berries to combat the problem of obesity and reap all the nutritional benefits associated with it.

This story throws light on instructions to cook wheat berries, followed by some ideas to team it up with other foods, that will only enhance its nutritional value and make it scrumptious!

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups wheat berries
• 1 tablespoon salt

Method
Mix water, salt and wheat berries in a large saucepan. Place it on the stove and bring it boil, then place a lid over the saucepan and reduce the flame.

Let it cook for another 45 minutes, stir in case necessary and finally put off the flame once it is done. It ought to be tender and fluffy. Now, drain off the excess water, if any. Your wheat berries are ready to eat!

Kick start your mornings with a healthy option like wheat berries mix. It is simple to make and would hardly take any time. Instead of cooking wheat berries in water, cook them in a fruit juice of your choice. Add sugar and milk to the cooked wheat berries.

Now, the fruit juice will add the sweet element to the preparation, so be careful while adding sugar. If you like dried fruits, go ahead and garnish the mixture with dried cranberries, raisins, almonds or walnuts. You can also add your daily cereal or oats added, if you are habituated to consuming it daily.

Popped wheat berries are the healthiest and yummiest snacks ever. Wheat berries are small in size hence, they are likely to crack instead of pop, but when tossed with some sea salt or cheese, they are delicious to nibble on.

All you have to do is place the wheat kernels in a hot pan and cover it lightly. Make sure you don't cover the hot pan completely. Put off the flame after 15 minutes of simmering. Your popped wheat berries are ready to consume! They taste more or less like popcorn.

Wheat berries taste amazing in a salad preparation. Place the cooked wheat berries in a large mixing bowl. Add some sliced onions, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, salt to taste, pepper and some olive oil.

You can also add some mayonnaise sauce or mustard sauce if you like. Allow the salad to sit for at least some 25 minutes, for it to absorb the sauce. Wheat berries salad provides you with all the nutritional benefits and more with dietary fibers.

Cook wheat berries in chicken or vegetable stock instead of water. The proportion ought to be 1:2, that is, if you want to cook 1 bowl of wheat berries, then add two bowls of chicken/vegetable broth to it. But, this time you have to cook it longer, until you get that soup like texture.

Now, wheat berries tend to absorb the stock and thicken the soup, therefore according to the consistency you prefer add or delete an extra bowl of chicken/vegetable stock. Add freshly ground pepper and salt to enhance its taste.

And enjoy it hot by a chilly winter evening with some grilled chicken to accompany it as a side dish!

Wheat berries are readily available in markets and in fact they can be stored or rather refrigerated for up to 4-5 months. These frozen packets work perfectly for the fast-paced life we all live. You have to scoop out the required quantity, cook it and add the variations in just a moment. Enjoy!