Amaranth Recipe

Amaranth plant in my garden image

Amaranth grows in my yard about 15 feet tall. Orange County, California

Amaranthus is easy to grow.  I grew mine from seeds from a friend.

I don’t use fertilizer or any pesticides. 

It is a good companion plant for other vegetables. 

Colorful and edible and gluten free

Popped Amaranth this was made by daughter age 9

Día de Los Muertos treat made from popped Amaranth. 

Amaranth Day of Dead Treat


Popped Amaranth Honey Treat

Gluten Free Fun

Amaranth is gluten free
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
 Serves 4

Recipe Ingredients:
  2 cups popped amaranth,
  2 cups local honey,
  1/4 cup sugar,
  1/4 warm water,
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Instructions:
Pop the amaranth in a heavy pot with lid, no oil about 3 minutes
Microwave honey in water and sugar for 20 seconds, 
mix dry and wet ingredients with hands. 
Shape into little heads and place on waxed paper. 
Decorate with seeds, raisins, peanuts or M and M candies.

Prep time: 2 minutes of fun
Cook time: 5 minutes

Cuisine: Ancient, Mexican, Children, Holiday

Category: Dessert 
Author: Caroline Gerardo

Nutrition facts:
One average sized head is 100 calories
Amaranth is source of Lysine. 
It also contains primary proteins called albumin and globulins, which, in comparison with the prolamins in wheat, are more soluble and digestible.
 One cup of raw amaranth contains 15 milligrams of iron, 18 milligrams of fiber;  9 grams of protein.

High in manganese calcium magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Amaranth contains 6 to 10% oil, predominantly unsaturated, or around 77% unsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid, required for optimum nutrition. Not least in this list, amaranth is the only grain with documented vitamin C content.  

Amaranth is a gluten-free grain that's high in fiber, protein, and micronutrients. It's also a good source of: 

Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5, Folate, Antioxidants. 

One cup of cooked amaranth contains 

NUTRITION

• 251 calories
• 9.4g protein
• 3.9g fat
• 46g carbohydrates
• 5.2g fiber

Amaranth may have several health benefits, including: 

• Reduced inflammation
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Increased weight loss
• Better digestive functions
• Increased energy
• Reduced risk of broken bones

Amaranth is high in fiber, which can help with digestion. It can also help with bloating, constipation, and cramping

Chinelos Mexican Dancer her
purple plumes remind me of Amaranth

Other uses:

I use a few red leaves in salad for color, it’s stronger like arugula, an acquired taste.

An easy colorful side dish:

Saute one finely chopped garlic clove in average olive oil (don’t waste your Extra fancy virgins)

Toss in torn leaves but save the stems for your compost pile.

Add salt, pepper and a pinch of paprika.

Cook like spinach 2 minutes

Author: Caroline Gerardo

Studies show amaranth can reduce blood pressure and

is helpful in preventing heart disease

Amaranth towering above the garden

Another sample amaranth in Laguna Beach growing with tomatoes

tomatoes

Other fun in my garden

vegetable gardening fun

Chinelos mask with leopard elephant nose  Day of the Dead Mask

Thanks for reading!
October 31st