Comments on: How To Soak & Cook Whole Grains

By: Whole Grain Primer | GNOWFGLINS

Whole Grain Primer | GNOWFGLINS — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:40:28 +0000

[...] refer to the whole grain soaking and cooking chart for water to grain ratios, soaking and cooking directions, and specifications for which grains need [...]

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:10:41 +0000

Katie – I will have to edit that chart. I’ve had it for so long and got it from a Molly Katzen book. I use 1:2/rice:water just like NT. As for the spelt, it has been a long time since I’ve cooked them, but I remember them being very chewy after a long cooking time. Are you certain they’re not done or are they just chewy?

You’re reminding me – I made those biscuits the other day with water, not milk. They turned out pretty good. Not as good, but still good!

By: Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship

Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:44:52 +0000

I need some troubleshooting help! I cooked spelt berries for the first time, and since I just came across this table, it’s the only instructions I had. I soaked 1 cup berries in 1 1/2 cups water (with a little whey) overnight and cooked them today – brought to a rolling boil, added a little salt and olive oil, and left the lid on 50 minutes. Lots of water left. 10 more minutes. Still lots of water left. 20 more minutes. Drained the things and gave up. They’re pretty chewy, in my fridge waiting to be a cold grain salad (inspired by your post last week!). But I’m wondering: did I do something wrong? Should all the water be absorbed? Should spelt be chewy? I often have trouble with my soaked rice not being tender after cooking 45 minutes and absorbing all the water. I use 2 cups water to 1 cup rice, but I’ve found that when soaked, it actually needs a little more to be totally soft. Have you really cooked a cup of brown rice with only 1.5 cups water? NT’s “basic brown rice” has a 2:1 water:rice ratio too.

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:04:31 +0000

Marg – Yes! Though you may rinse them if you like.

By: Marg

Marg — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:25:32 +0000

Do I understand correctly? The grains/rice are cooked in the same water they soaked in?
Marg´s last blog post… The barn roof

By: Mona-Peacewing

Mona-Peacewing — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Thank you sweet Wardeh!! warm loving hugs

By: c

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:28:08 +0000

Umm good to know! I will remember that.
c´s last blog post… blunders and absurdities

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:34:31 +0000

C – No, I don’t mind! Enjoy! Let me know if you find any mistakes. My site is set up so if you just hit Print (Ctrl-P), the post will print without all the sidebars, etc. It comes out formatted very nicely.

By: c

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:18:15 +0000

ohhh-this will save MANY a frustration in the kitchen. I’m going to print this out (if you don’t mind) and stick it on my fridge!
c´s last blog post… blunders and absurdities

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:26:44 +0000

Julieanne – Thank you for pointing out those areas that need clarification!

Regarding the couscous – the way I cook it is to pour boiling water over it, and let it sit covered, in the boiling water (but not on the burner) for 10 minutes. I do not believe this is a grain that needs to be soaked, because if it is made in a traditional way, the soaking/pre-cooking has already taken place before we get it. So, the process is really easy, just pour boiling water over it and let it sit.

Oh, you know what… ignore me… when putting this together, I had a brain freeze, I guess… I was thinking of couscous as bulgur! So that is a mistake. Couscous does need cooking. I starred it by mistake.

As far as the cooking times, well… that is going to have to be a matter of experimentation. You’re right not to lift the lid unnecessarily. But, I find I have to break that rule. What I do is take a quick “peek” about halfway through the regular cooking time to see if the water is all absorbed or not. I try to minimize the interruptions. In the case of rice, I find that it is cooked in about 25-30 minutes if it has been soaked overnight.

Hopefully this helps!