I’m a big fan of whole grains and beans. They're full of vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates and protein. They're a great source of fiber – a nutrient that most of us don't get nearly enough of. They're low-fat, salt-free, vegetarian and parve. They're versatile and they're delicious.
But most people stay away from them. They take too long to cook. They need to be pre-soaked. How many of us have time for that?
Thanks to the Israeli company Sugat, it's now easier than ever to eat grains and beans. Their "10-minute Collection" includes six mixes that take just 10 minutes to cook. They include grains like barley, spelt, rice, kasha and kamut as well as red, yellow and brown lentils and split peas.
How can whole grains and legumes cook in just 10 minutes? Sugat has done a little pre-cooking for us. All you do is bring some water to a boil. Add the mix and cook for 10 minutes. (I tried the Five-Grain Blend and found that it cooked to my liking in just 7 minutes.) Drain the grains and serve.
The possibilities are endless: Patties, pies, salads, soup, side dish or main course. I added vegetables an egg and cheese and used it to stuff red peppers. The next day I heated the leftovers with milk and cinnamon and enjoyed it as a breakfast cereal. The (English) website has lots of yummy sounding recipes for inspiration.
Look for these mixes in (Israeli) grocery stores near the packaged rice, grains and beans.
Hi Chana,
ReplyDeleteThis looks really helpful. It's nice to see a healthy convenience food. With a large family, though,, I doubt I'll pay whatever price they are asking for the convenience. I use a pressure cooker to cut the time of cooking beans and grains.
Their website gives outdated information about "complete proteins." That was debunked years ago.
Thanks for your input Hannah.
ReplyDeleteMy next blogs gives easy instructions for cooking grains for those of us without a pressure cooker.
For some people, convenient mixes like these can mean the difference between microwaving a frozen pizza and putting together a simple bean/grain soup. Same amount of time and probably less expensive.
You're right, the complete protein idea is no longer relevant. Unfortunately, you can't trust most web sites for accurate nutrition information. But they do have some interesting recipes on their site.
Hi Chana
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blogs. I live in the South and I buy many Sugat's products but have never seen this product. Which chain sells it? Miriam
Hi Miriam. I found these mixes at my neighborhood Supersol in Beer Sheva. Sugat is a major brand, so I would expect to find them in most big grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteGood news - Sugat is planning to export their products to the US. Look for them soon!
ReplyDelete