Indigenous women in North and Central America are coming together to share ancestral knowledge of amaranth, a plant booming in popularity as a health food.
"Amaranth is an 8,000-year-old pseudocereal – not a grain, but a seed, like quinoa and buckwheat – indigenous to Mesoamerica, but also grown in China, India, south-east Asia, West Africa, and the Caribbean. Before the Spanish arrived in the Americas, the Aztecs and Maya cultivated amaranth as an excellent source of proteins, but also for ceremonial purposes..." Read the recent article in The Guardian.
If you haven't yet tried this beautiful, ancient "grain" or seed, this article from The Guardian may inspire you to go out and buy some amaranth! I recommend eating as a hearty cooked breakfast cereal or as a savory side to round out any meal.
RECIPES:
Breakfast Amaranth - Cinnamon & Sugar
Bring to a boil 2 cups almond or oat milk and 2 cups water. Add 1 cup Amaranth seed and slow cook for approximately 20 - 30 minutes on medium-low heat. Remove from heat then add butter, cinnamon and brown sugar as you like for a gluten-free classic flavored morning treat and ENJOY!
Amaranth Cheese Grits
Bring to a boil 3 cups water with a dash of salt. Add 1 cup Amaranth seed and simmer on the lowest heat for approximately 20 minutes or until the water is all absorbed, stir often to keep it smooth. Add 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup cream cheese, and stir in. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Then top with fresh red or green salsa, roasted broccoli or cauliflower. A simple delight.
WITH HEALTH BENEFITS TOO
Amaranth is also notable for its nutrient profile. It is naturally gluten-free and rich in protein, fiber, micronutrients and antioxidants. One cup of Amaranth contains more than a recommended daily intake of manganese—believed to be important for brain function and protection against negative neurological conditions. It is also high in Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Selenium, and copper. Amaranth contains several antioxidants what have been found to protect against disease. (Read more on Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/amaranth-health-benefits)