We are already approaching the last week of the first month in the new year. There are so many recipes, that I have been wanting to share with you, with some of them already shot and sitting inside the Divine Taste folder in my hard disk. And why I haven't been able to share them last year is because I have been busy giving exams.
Since I get a lot of nutrition related queries, I decided to do my post graduate diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics and I'm happy to announce that I'm now armed to give nutritional advise. Apart from modern nutrition and dietetics, I also studied Ayurvedic diet and nutrition known as Ayurved Ahar Vigyan. This in depth study gave me a lot of insights and served to quench my curiosity towards all things food and nutrition. Professionally, getting my degree has been the single biggest achievement of 2017.
It is simply amazing how this space of mine has led me to grow as a person and added so many dimensions to my personality. It was my love for food which led me to explore my dormant passion for photography and now both these aspects of my life have added a third dimension- nutrition, based on the age old science of Ayurveda in tune with modern nutrition.
Although it cringes my heart that this post has been long over due and is only happening now, I'm happy to start 2018 with a recipe featuring one of my new favourite ingredients. Although emmer wheat is new to me, in reality it is an ancient grain having been cultivated for thousands of years. Emmer, along with Einkorn and Spelt is one of the three varieties of heirloom grains which are also known as "farro" in Italy. Emmer wheat is known as Khapli wheat and Samba wheat in India.
Emmer (botanical name Triticum dicoccum) is rich in fiber, protein, magnesium and other vitamins. When combined with dals/legumes Emmer wheat is a complete source of protein making it excellent for vegetarians.
I have been told that Emmer wheat flour is better than regular wheat flour due to it's stickiness and it gives breads, puris and rotis great taste and texture and can replace refined white flour or maida. I'm yet to experiment with emmer wheat flour though.
Emmer wheat has a low glycemic index and is great for diabetics too. And because it has low gluten content in comparison to regular wheat, it is easier to digest as well. Emmer is also richer in micronutrients like minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. That said, Emmer does belong to the family of wheat and although some people who are not tolerant towards modern strains of wheat are able to digest ancient wheat grains, it is best to avoid Emmer wheat if you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease.
I love using Emmer wheat semolina to make upma, porridge and payasam. This upma made with Emmer wheat is simple to make and tastes delicious. You can make it with or without vegetables. If you are making it with vegetables, try using seasonal produce which will not only taste good but also have more nutritional elements.
And before signing off, I would like to tell you that I have a lot of exciting things planned for this space in the near future. If there is any recipe, idea or anything else that you would like me to share or see it incorporated on this site which is going to be revamped soon, do let me know in the comments section below.
Emmer Wheat Upma
Ingredients:
3 tbsp oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
2 green chillies, chopped
a sprig of fresh curry leaves
½ tsp asofetida
1 carrot, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
75 gm (½ cup) green peas
60 ml (¼ cup) water
750 ml (3 cups) water
280gms (11/2 cups) emmer wheat semolina
2 tsp of salt
1 tsp of sugar
juice of one lime
1 tbsp ghee (optional)
50 gm (½ cup) freshly grated coconut
Method:
In a pan or wok, heat the oil and once the oil is hot but not smoking, put in the mustard seeds. After the seeds start crackling add the green chilies and stir fry for a minute. Then put in the fresh curry leaves and after the curry leaves turn crisp (about 30 seconds) add the yellow asofetida, the chopped carrot, potato and green peas. Pour in ¼ cup water, turn down the heat, cover the wok or pan and allow it to cook.
In another saucepan, pour in the 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
After the vegetables are cooked and the water is completely absorbed, add the emmer wheat semolina and roast it well for 4 to 5 minutes.
After the semolina is nicely roasted put in the salt, sugar and the boiling water.
Add juice of 1 lime, ghee if using and the freshly grated coconut.
Lower the heat, cover and cook until all the water is absorbed and the semolina grains are nice and fluffy.
Serves 4
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Hello Anushruti,
Congratulations on your nutrition degree! I have been an ardent follower of your blog and you tube series since their inception and admire the importance you give to simple sattvik and wholesome foods.
I have a basic question- Is Emmer wheat different from the small size of cracked wheat(size #1 as seen in the Indian grocery stores in US)?
I make upma from them and they look exactly similar to it in size and shape. Hence the query.
Warm Regards,
Swapna
Congratulations dear Anushruti for getting your post graduation degree in Ayurvrveda vignaan. Wish you the best and may manu more souls be benefitted through your blog by your wonderful nutritious recipes as me.:)
Congratulations on your degree!
From where can we buy emmer wheat ?
Hello Anushruti. Thank you so much for your dedication and love towards divine taste and it's viewers. Is it possible for the halwai' s secretly kept recipe Soan papdi. Thank you very much.
Hi Anu,
I am a silent reader. i tried many of your recipes, latest is dry chutney powder, all i can say it is yum and addictive.
Please post Udupi Sambar recipe
Swapna: Thank you so much! Yes Emmer wheat is different from the regular wheat available at stores. You will have to look for it in health food stores I guess.
Asmita: Thanks, but I got my post graduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics (not Ayurved Ahar Vigyan)
joQ: Thanks
Harvinder: I bought it online from Big Basket.
Rameshwari: Soan Papdi is a skill requiring several hands for many layers to form. However, it can be done at home. I'm yet to experiment with this though. Once I do, I will put up the recipe. Thanks for your kind words.
Vasantha: Sure, I will post Udupi sambar soon.
Congrats on your Post Grad degree. It's so nice you decided to pursue your post grad in nutrition, esp. Ayurveda; it totally complements your blog.
I'm a long time follower of your blog; probably several years now. Love the Sattvic aspect and the lovely story you weave around your posts. I do have a request for you. My husband's family has diabetic and so he's now borderline. Obesity is another issue. If you can post any tips/recipes to cater to them, I'd greatly appreciate it.
I haven't heard of this Emmer wheat; will have to look and see. I found in amazon in US; so will buy and try it out. Thanks for this healthy recipe.
Lastly, I am truly grateful for bloggers like you who attempt to make a positive impact on your readers lives and their families. Thanks for everything.
Annadaata Sukhibhava
Meena.
Congratulations on your nutrition and dietectics diploma. I read and follow your vegetarian recipes. I have a quick question what is the name of Einkorn wheat flour in India? Do you know any bread (not roti) recipes with einka flour. It is also an ancient wheat. The botanical name is: Triticum Monococcum.
Samba godhumai rava is a staple in grocery stores in Chennai(and TN state, I presume). This is the first time I am hearing the name Emmer wheat. Thanks for enlightening is readers about its unbelievable health benefits. After reading your post, I switched to home made wheat flour by buying samba wheat and getting it ground into flour in the flour mill. Thanks again for the info.
I have a suggestion to contribute. Could you consider introducing the following new tags for your posts? Low carb dishes, High protein dishes? I ask because those who are dieting or on special diets may find it helpful.
Healthy and tasty recipe.
Thank you so much for such an amazing recipe. I tried it last evening and I must tell you my family really enjoyed the meal!
Specially my 3 year old daughter Ananya.
Good to know that Shikha! Happy cooking!
Thanks so much for your Ayurvedic insights! I am interested in doing a course on Ayurvedic diet/practices, do you have any recommendations?
Also, do you know where we can get heirloom wheat grain/flour in India?
There are some institutes in Kerala offering good courses. I order heirloom wheat grain from big basket. Its called samba wheat. If you google khapli wheat flour you will find some sellers for the flour as well.
Sure. But I look at food as a complete spectrum. 🙂
Great! That would be very healthy!
Not sure about Einkorn but emmer wheat can be got in the name of samba or khapli.
Thanks for your enlivening words Meena. Will surely try and cater to diabetic recipes.
This is very really unique helpful information. keep it up. Thank you so much!