How to cook buckwheat correctly so that it is tasty and crumbly

Cereals are an important part of our diet. The nutritional value of boiled buckwheat, as well as the content of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and amino acids, makes it practically the “queen” of cereals. Buckwheat porridge most often becomes the basis of the menu for those who want to lose excess weight, because it contains approximately 3 grams of protein, about 90 kcal and 0.9 grams of fat per 100 grams. It is easily digestible and gives a long-lasting feeling of satiety. In addition, it goes well with both vegetables and meat or fish, so it is perfect for the daily diet of the whole family.

Which buckwheat should I buy? What to do before cooking?

The first question that arises when looking at a supermarket shelf is how to choose buckwheat that is not only tasty, but also clean. It is best to give preference to cereals in transparent packaging (at least partially) in order to assess the integrity of the core and the presence/absence of impurities. Shake the pack and carefully examine its contents. Good buckwheat should be free of black specks, insects and other debris. If you buy cereal by weight, you can additionally evaluate it by smell – fresh buckwheat should not smell musty.

After the purchase, the second question arises – how to prepare buckwheat. If you come across grain that is not the highest or at least the first grade, first sort it out by pouring it onto a towel, for example. And no matter how clean the buckwheat is, it is still best to rinse it before cooking. Pour it into a deep bowl and fill it with clean water. Debris, if any, will immediately float to the surface. Remove it carefully. Then change the water several times until it becomes clear.

How to cook buckwheat: proportions and utensils

When the grains are washed, you need to decide which pan is best to cook buckwheat in (we’ll talk about using kitchen appliances a little later). If you have a heavy saucepan with a thick bottom on hand, take it. Buckwheat porridge loves to simmer over low heat, so this type of dish is best suited.

The proportions of water for cooking on the stove are classic – 1 part cereal and 2 parts liquid. But if you use a pressure cooker, the proportions may be slightly different.

How to cook buckwheat on the stove

When everything is ready, you can proceed directly to the cooking process.

1. Pour the washed cereal into the pan and add water.
2. Place on the fire and bring to a boil.
3. Add salt, reduce heat and cover with a lid.
4. Cook buckwheat for 15 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and leave for another 10-15 minutes.

Do I need to remove the cover? If you are confident in the quality of your pan, then no, you don’t need to. How to stir porridge during cooking. Since it is correct to cook crumbly buckwheat over low heat, under the lid it will slowly simmer and reach perfect readiness. It is better to stir the porridge at the end, just before serving.

Some housewives are also interested in why they cover the finished porridge with a towel. This further ensures that the temperature remains high and is especially important if your pan is thin and will cool quickly after removing from the heat.

How to cook buckwheat in a frying pan

An alternative to a saucepan can be a regular frying pan. If you want to prepare lunch or dinner without any hassle, this option will come in handy. Fry vegetables or chicken in a frying pan, for example, then add washed cereal, pour in hot water, add salt and spices, and bring to a boil. Then cover with a lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid has completely evaporated. You will get very tasty Asian-style buckwheat if you add ginger, garlic and soy sauce.

How to cook buckwheat in the oven

To prepare the most crumbly porridge, you can put it in the oven. Use glass, ceramic or earthenware (buckwheat in pots is incredibly tasty). You can cook either pure cereal in this way or with the addition of vegetables, mushrooms or meat, for example. Pour hot water over the cereal, place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees and simmer for about 40 minutes until cooked.

How to cook buckwheat in the microwave

If you want to find an alternative to the classic option of cooking buckwheat on the stove, then take a look at this easy way to cook buckwheat porridge in the microwave. Rinse the cereal, sort if necessary and place in a microwave-safe dish.

Add salt, pour in water (proportion 1 to 2). Cover with a special plastic lid and place in the oven. Set the maximum power for 2-3 minutes (time depends on the volume of water). After the water boils, reduce the power to about 600-650 W and cook the cereal for about 8-10 minutes.

After the cereal has absorbed all the water, leave it in the microwave for another 10 minutes to let it sit.

If you want to cook not just porridge, but a full-fledged dish, the usual options with meat or chicken are hardly appropriate here (there is a possibility that the meat simply will not have time to fully cook). Since you can cook buckwheat with stew for about 10-15 minutes, use it as an alternative to fresh meat.

Buckwheat porridge in a slow cooker

This is perhaps the ideal kitchen gadget for making porridge. Buckwheat simmers in a slow cooker under a closed lid, does not burn and turns out surprisingly crumbly. The cooking process is very simple:

1. Place the washed cereal in a bowl.
2. Add salt and pour in water.
3. Install the “Buckwheat” or “Cereals” program.
4. After the end of the program, leave the porridge on the heat for 10 minutes.

If you are preparing porridge with meat or vegetables, fry them first and then add the cereal.

And in a recipe for soup with buckwheat, for example, you don’t have to fry the vegetables, but add them immediately along with the washed grains, add water, add spices and cook for about 20-25 minutes until done in the “Soup” or “Stew” mode.

Will a pressure cooker speed up cooking? Definitely yes! The porridge cooks under pressure for only 5-7 minutes, and is ready to serve after 15 minutes from the start of the process. And in this regard, the proportions of the liquid will be slightly different. For 1 part of cereal you will need 1.5 parts of water.

Steamer recipe

Fans of healthy eating, who often use a steamer to cook meat or vegetables, can cook porridge there as a side dish. First, rinse the cereal under running water. To make it crumbly, it is better to dry it first, so put it in a frying pan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly. At the end you can add a small piece of butter. Transfer the cereal to a bowl, add water and salt. Place in a double boiler and cook for half an hour until done.

How to cook buckwheat without cooking

There is another way to simply cook porridge. Buckwheat steamed in water will be no worse, although the process will take longer. This option is suitable for those who do not have time to stand at the stove, but still have a few hours left before lunch or dinner. So, the process is simple:

1. Rinse the cereal under running water.
2. Place in a frying pan and dry over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Place in a saucepan or other convenient container with a lid.
4. Pour in boiling water (based on 1 cup of cereal and 2 cups of water).
5. Add salt and butter if desired.
6. Stir quickly, cover with a lid and wrap in a towel. Leave for 1.5-2 hours.

A few more nuances

Separately, it is worth dwelling on how to cook buckwheat in a bag. This packaging is convenient for batch cooking; in addition, there is no need to calculate the proportions of water. The cereals in such special packages are already washed. But if desired, you can rinse it under running water. Next, place the bag in boiling salted water and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, according to the instructions on the package.

Many are also concerned about the question of how to cook green buckwheat. This is a grain that is familiar to us, but it did not lend itself to heat treatment. That is why it is most useful to cook it without cooking – just pour boiling water over it and let it sit. But if you still adhere to traditional methods, then cook as usual – 15 minutes after boiling.

Plant-based dairy products have now gained particular popularity. Therefore, let’s dwell on how to cook buckwheat with almond and coconut milk. First you need to cook the cereal (on the stove or using kitchen gadgets) in water with added salt to taste. Then you can pour in the milk and boil for another 5 minutes.

The second option for cooking porridge with milk is to not cook it at all. Ready buckwheat can be poured with hot milk and served immediately.

Young mothers who are just introducing complementary foods to their baby are always concerned with the question of how to cook buckwheat for their baby. Porridge in its usual form is really not suitable for very young children. And there are two options:

• grind the cereal in a coffee grinder or blender and cook;
• cook the porridge, and then grind it using a blender.

In any case, the finished baby porridge must be additionally diluted with boiling water or milk so that it is liquid.

How to cook buckwheat with meat

To save time in the kitchen, you can immediately prepare a full lunch or dinner. One of the most popular options, perhaps, is merchant-style buckwheat. Prepare 400 grams of meat and mushrooms, a glass of cereal, onions and carrots, as well as your favorite spices and vegetable oil. In a frying pan, fry the meat cut into pieces for about 15 minutes. Then add chopped onions, carrots and mushrooms. Continue frying for 5-10 minutes, stirring. Add salt and spices to taste, add washed cereal and pour in 2 cups of boiling water. When the water boils, cover the pan with a lid and simmer the dish for 20 minutes until fully cooked.

Note 4 original recipes:

Buckwheat popcorn

Buckwheat with kefir for breakfast

Greciotto

Buckwheat beef stroganoff