Buckwheat Muffins

Buckwheat is a food plant that is grown in North America, Asia, and Europe.  Although it is often thought of as a grain, it isn’t related to wheat at all.  Instead, buckwheat is the seed of a plant that is related to rhubarb and sorrel.  It might be eaten like a grain, but it has a different nutritional composition.  In fact, it is richer than grains in protein, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.  Here is a recipe for muffins that uses this high-powered plant food.

Buckwheat Muffins

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups buckwheat flour
1/2 cup -whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
2 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon dry yeast dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup raisins

Directions
Mix the flours and cinnamon together. In a separate bowl beat the egg in the oil.  Add to the flour mixture. Add yeast and water and raisins to the flour mixture.  Mix well.  Let sit for 15 minutes or more.

Spray muffin tins with cooking spray or put in cup liners.  Fill the prepared muffin tins 3/4 full.  Bake 20 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees.  Serve hot with honey, apple butter, or jelly.

More about Buckwheat
One cup of buckwheat groats has 155 calories and almost 6 grams of protein.  In addition, buckwheat protein contains all of the nine essential amino acids.  These are the acids that the body can’t make for itself, so this is particularly important.  This food also has a lot of fiber, and that is good for protecting against inflammation and cancer.  In addition, it has antioxidants, and it can lower blood glucose levels.

Buckwheat has been used in many dishes.  Not only for pancakes and muffins, it has also been cooked as a hot breakfast cereal, fashioned into noodles, made into groats, and fermented into beer.  Of course, if you are allergic to buckwheat, you should avoid it.  Otherwise, this food is nutritious and gluten-free, and it can support good blood pressure, low blood sugar, and strong immunity.

 

Arnarson, Atli, Healthline, Buckwheat 101: Nutrition facts and health Benefits, 14 Nov., 2023. <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/buckwheat> 10 Feb, 2024.