Feburary 2016 Emergency Preparedness - Basic Recipes using Wheat

So I’ve stored all this wheat, but what can I do with it besides make bread.  Here are some easy recipes.

Cooked Whole Wheat Kernels

1 cup whole wheat                  3 cups water (hot for thermos method)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Rinse wheat and add to boiling salted water.  Reduce heat and simmer 50 – 60 minutes.  Makes 2 cups.

This can now be served with sugar and milk as cereal, added to other cooked grains, salads, soups, casseroles, and bread dough.

Presoaked method:  Place the above three ingredients in a pan and soak overnight.  Do not drain.  Bring to a boil and simmer 30 minutes.

Thermos Method:  Preheat a thermos by filling it with hot water and letting it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes.  This will keep the thermos from cooling down too quickly.

Place the above three ingredients in the warm thermos attach the lid and let sit for 3 to 4 hours.  This can also be done overnight if the inside temperature does NOT go below 140°.  Bacterial growth can occur when the temperature of the wheat goes below 140°.

Cracked Wheat Cereal

1 1/3 cups cracked wheat        4 cups water

3/4 teaspoon salt

Bring water and salt to a boil.  Slowly add cracked wheat while stirring.  Reduce heat and simmer 20 to 30 minutes.  Makes 3 cups.

Cooking Method 2:  Place the above three ingredients in a heavy saucepan.  Bring to a full boil; cover; turn off heat and let sit for 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed.

Cracked wheat can be toasted for a nutty flavor.  Place cracked wheat into a dry skillet and cook over medium heat; stirring often until wheat is lightly browned.  Cracked wheat can be toasted before storing also.

Crispy-Fried Cracked Wheat Cereal

Press hot, cooked, cracked wheat cereal into a loaf pan and cool.  When cold, unmold and slice into 1/4” or wider slices.  Slices need to be wide enough to hold together.  Fry slices in hot oil, turning to brown both sides.  Serve with pancake syrup.

Pre-Sweetened Cereal Nuggets

Prepare Cooked Whole Wheat Kernels.  When wheat has cooled, stir in ¾ cup sugar and ½ cup dry milk.  Put through a hand or electric food/meat grinder (something that will break the wet wheat kernels).  Spread mixture onto a cookie sheet and bake at 300° until dry.  Stir occasionally

Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour              1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar                                       4 – 6 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons dry milk                        1 1/2 cups water

Combine flour, sugar, dry milk and salt.  Add water and oil.  Stir until all flour is moistened.  Add more water as needed to keep batter thin enough to ensure it cooks all the way through.  Cook on greased hot griddle until browned and edges are firmed.  Turn to brown other side.  Serve hot with sprinkled sugar or pancake syrup.  Thin pancakes can be sugared and rolled up.

Remember the counsel that is given, "STORE UP ALL YOUR GRAIN," and take care of it! Prize it above gold and silver, above rich clothing and fine apparel, and above everything else except the bread of life

Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses (JD), vol. 5:17 p. 17.  Also see http://journalofdiscourses.com/5/4.

ABOUT WHEAT

1cup dry wheat = about 2 cups cooked

1 cup whole wheat = about 1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup cracked wheat = about 2 2/3 cups cooked

Gradually add whole wheat to your diet.  Adding high-fiber whole grains to your diet can cause temporary gastrointestinal distress (bloating, gas, diarrhea, etc.) if you add too much too quickly.

Rinse whole wheat kernels before sprouting or cooking if desired.  Do not wash before grinding or milling.

Gradually add whole wheat to your bread, cookies, cakes, etc. by replacing 1 cup of white flour with 1 cup of wheat flour minus 1 tablespoon.  Or 1/2 cup white flour with 1/2 cup wheat flour minus 1 1/2 teaspoons. Or 1/3 cup white flour with 1/3 cup wheat flour minus 1 teaspoon.  A small amount of additional liquid may be needed when using whole wheat flour.

What if you don’t have a wheat grinder?

Small amounts of wheat, about 3/4 cup at a time, can be cracked in a blender.  Blenders are not made for grinding large amounts of wheat and will not grind enough flour for bread without dulling the blades and overheating the motor.

Small amounts of wheat can be placed in a tall can and pounded with a heavy clean metal object.  Watch out for blisters on your hands doing this.

Soaked wheat that is dry but softened can be pounded with a mallet.

For grinding wheat into flour a wheat grinder will be needed.  While getting started with adding wheat to your diet find a friend with a wheat grinder and ask them to grind you small amounts to get you started.

Wheat grinder come in many types from stone to metal ground, course to extra fine ground flour and different noise levels when in use.  Find the one that best fits your likes, needs, and price range.