Flax seed is known to be one of the world’s healthiest of foods. These small seeds are very beneficial to your body because they have a content of omega-3, vitamin B1, dietary fiber and manganese just to name a few. Flax seed may also help to fight breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Now that you’ve just purchased some flax seed, what in the world do you do with it? Here are some tips that will help you get started cooking with flax seed.
Grind It
First, you would grind the seeds because the hull of the seeds are not digestible. You can do this with a coffee grinder or spice mill. If you are going to use a coffee grinder, these should be ground into a fine powder. The ground seed should be put in a sealed container and placed in the refrigerator for up to three months to keep it from going rancid. When it is in a powder form, you can add a tablespoon or two in oatmeal, cold cereal or a smoothie.
Substitution For Eggs
Did you know that flax seeds can be substituted for eggs? It is mostly used in baked goods, especially for those who are unable to or choose not to eat eggs. When you want to use this substitution, you would mix 1 tablespoon of the ground flax seed to 3 tablespoons of water for one egg. If a recipe calls for two eggs, then the substitution would be doubled and so on. The mixture should sit for 15 minutes in the refrigerator before adding to your other ingredients.
Start Small
When you first start out using flax seed for cooking, it is best to start off with small amounts and to experiment. This will allow you to get used to the flax seed and then you can add more later on if you would like.
Decrease Your Food Budget
When you add flax seed to the food that you bake and cook, it can decrease your food budget. Flax seed has extra fiber and protein will we get you full faster and you won’t feel as though you need a second helping of food. Flax seed also adds more nutrition while you bake and cook.
Flax Seed Recipe Suggestions
Focaccia-Style Flax Bread
Flax Seed, Fig, and Walnut Crackers
Fabulous Flax Seed Pancakes
Do you use flax seed?
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