April 30, 2008

Wheat Berry Dinner Rolls

I made these rolls try to another way of using wheat. Sprouted wheat is unbelievably nutritious, and it's easy to do.
1 2/3 c water
2 T powdered milk
1 C sprouted wheat berries
1 ½ T yeast
1 T brown sugar
1 T oil
1 T salt (I used ¾ T salt since this seemed like a lot to me)
5 cups whole wheat flour
Put wheat berries, milk and water in blender. Blend briefly on med speed. Pour over yeast and sugar in a large bowl. After the yeast has bubbled up add the oil, salt and flour. Cover and let rise 10 minutes. Knead dough again briefly and shape. Let rise until doubled. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. on greased pans sprinkled with cornmeal*. Makes 24 rolls.To make as freeze and serve rolls, after double bake at 275 for 30 minutes. Cool on pan 15 minutes then remove from pans and let cool completely. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze. To brown rolls heat oven to 450 and bake thawed rolls 20 minutes.
*Note I use silpats on my pans instead of greasing them
Also, just a word to others who are as inexperienced as I am. You only need to sprout about 1/3 cup of wheat to get enough for this recipe. I sprouted a whole cup of wheat and ended up with
enough to quadruple the recipe!
Here are directions for sprouting wheat
Soak at a ratio of 4:1 (4 cups of water to 1 cup of wheat) for about 12 hours.
Rinse and drain. You can then transfer them to a sprouter or use a mason jar with cheese cloth over the opening.
Rinse every 12 hours for 2 days, or until the little sprout tails are as long as the grains of wheat, then use in your favorite recipe or refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

If your wheat doesn't sprout it may be because of the way it was stored. Wheat that has been treated will not sprout. This includes wheat that has been stored with oxygen packets. I would recommend getting some fresh wheat and trying again. If you like it I would try and store half of your wheat without oxygen. I have had success sprouting wheat that was at least 30 years old. If you can't get your wheat to sprout you could make wheat berries by boiling your wheat, I usually just put mine in the crock pot overnight with the same ratios as you used for soaking. Any extra water can be drained off, and if cooking in the crock pot you can skip the soaking step.
If any of this doesn't make sense please let me know and I will try to clear up any confusion

April 29, 2008

All About Wheat


Why Store Wheat?
Wheat is one of the most versatile and nutritious foods you can store and it also stores the longest –Making it a perfect staple for your long term food storage. However, if you do no experience with wheat, and have no intentions on learning, then it would be a waste of your money to buy wheat. If you want to learn, good news! It’s easy to get started using wheat! Wheat can be eaten whole, ground into flour, popped, and sprouted. If you are storing wheat, make sure you have wheat grinder. A good hand wheat grinder will cost around $60. An electric wheat grinder ranges from $159 to $300+.

How Much to Store?
For a one year supply, it is suggested that you store 300 lbs of grains per adult. It is also suggested that 150 lbs of this should be wheat. You can include other grains such as oats, cornmeal, barley, rice and pasta to make up the other 150 lbs. As usual, store what you and your family like to eat.

How long will it last?
When properly stored in an oxygen free container, wheat will last 30+ years. (see the beginning of this section for the effects of time on the taste and nutrition quality of food) Flour will store for 3-5 years.

How to store?
For best results, store wheat or flour in tightly sealed plastic or metal containers. Keep in a cool dry place. Do not store directly on concrete floor or near any moisture. To guard against hatching of insect eggs, treat with dry ice: On top of an almost full five gallon container, place ¼ lb dry ice on a piece of craft paper (not to touch food.) Press lid down gently so some air can escape. After about 20 to 30 min, check to see if the dry ice has completely evaporated, remove material and seal container.

Where to get it locally:


Withdrawals

I am having Food Storage Specialist withdrawals since being released from that calling in my ward. So, I am going to post all of the information plus more interesting things that I learn in a section called Food Storage 101. (links located to the right) Enjoy!