2009年6月12日星期五

Flaxseed Recipes

Flaxseeds are slightly bigger than sesame seeds and have a smooth and shiny, hard shell. Its color varies from deep amber to reddish brown. Many health benefits of flaxseed have been discovered by nutritionists and diet experts. Its high omega 3 and fiber content makes it a necessary diet supplement. It is rich in alpha linolenic acid, a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid which is also found in fish such as salmon. Since flaxseed is low in carbohydrates, it helps in reducing blood pressure, blood triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels in the body. It stops the blood platelets from sticking, hence reducing the risk of a heart attack.
Some of the simple and enticing flaxseed recipes are as follows:

Focaccia-Style Flax Bread
Ingredients
2 cups flaxseed meal
5 beaten eggs
1-2 tbsp sweetening power or artificial sweetener
1 tbsp baking powder
1/3 cup oil
1 tsp salt
½ cup water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a pan with oiled parchment paper or a silicone mat. Mix all dry ingredients together and add eggs, oil and water to it. Allow this batter to set for 2 to 3 minutes, till it thickens slightly. Pour the batter onto the pan and spread it away from the center to get an even thickness, as it tends to mound in the middle. Bake for 18-20 minutes till it turns brown. Allow it to cool and cut into desirable slices before serving.

Flaxseed Crackers
Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp margarine or butter, softened
¼ cup Pizzey's Premium Organic Milled Golden Flaxseed
¼ cup Pizzey's Premium Organic Whole Golden Flaxseed
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup skim milk
Directions
In a large bowl, add flour, whole flaxseed, milled flaxseed, margarine or butter, baking powder and salt. With the help of a stand-up mixer, combine the mixture well, till it resembles a coarse meal. Stir in milk and mix well till it forms a soft dough. Cover the dough with a plastic wrap and chill for 10 minutes. Roll the dough and divide into equal sized quarters. On a floured board, roll these quarters into thin rectangles 1/16 of an inch thick. Now cut them into 2½ inch squares. Transfer these squares to an ungreased baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 325°F and bake for 20 minutes, until they are crisp and golden in color.

Apple Flax Muffins
Ingredients
1¼ cups flaxseed meal
Artificial sweetener equal to ¾ cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs, beaten
1 tbsp cinnamon
¼ cup oil
1 tbsp vanilla
1 medium apple, chopped fine
½ cup flavored syrup or water
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease the muffin tin. Mix all dry ingredients together and add eggs, oil, chopped apple, pecans, vanilla and flavored syrup or water to it. Mix them well and let the batter stand for 10-12 minutes. Put this batter into the muffin pan and bake for 18 minutes or until the muffins start pulling away from the sides of the tin.

These were some easy to prepare flaxseed recipes that are nourishing and yummy. Since most of the ingredients are easily available, you can try preparing these recipes at home and enjoy with your family.

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