Oat Groats - Stock & Prep - 1.5kg

Oats are a classic staple of most childhood mornings as a traditional breakfast food, but did you know that they are actually an incredibly healthy wholefood. Oats are among the healthiest foods you can eat, high in fibre, protein and a wealth of vitamins and minerals they really are hard to beat. What are the types of oats? Whole or jumbo oats, which are the least broken down, and therefore take longer to cook. Rolled oats, which have been roasted, steamed and flattened to remove the outer shell. Oatmeal, which has similarly been roasted, steamed and flattened, but is ideal for making porridge. Broadly speaking these oats all have similar nutritional contents, although roasting and steaming oats can very slightly reduce this. Due to their similarities, it is often best to pick oats based around what you will use them for (while also taking the health benefits into consideration). Do oats improve digestion? Oats are also packed full of insoluble and soluble fibre (both of which are very healthy) Insoluble fibre is great for aiding digestion, while soluble fibre helps to lower cholesterol and improve heart health. As well as the obvious digestive benefits, the high fibre content in oats has been shown to help establish healthy gut bacteria, and generally maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Why oats are the perfect breakfast? One of the reasons oats are primarily used as a breakfast food is because of their low glycemic index and slow releasing energy. The glycemic index refers to the speed at which carbohydrates raise glucose levels in the blood, the lower the score the slower the release of energy. The slow release of energy means that oats really can keep you powered from breakfast until lunch, without crashing in the late morning.Not only will oats keep your energy levels high, they will also make you feel fuller due to their beta glucan content. Beta glucan is a specific type of hard to find soluble fibre, which increases the water absorption in your body, this creates a feeling of fullness and helps to stop overeating, which when combined with the long lasting energy of oats makes them a really useful weight management tool. The incredible nutritional benefits of oats Oats also contain vitamins B1, B2 and inositol. Vitamin B1 (also known as thiamin) provides a boost to the nervous system, while also helping to facilitate the slow releasing energy mentioned above. Vitamin B2 (also known as riboflavin) is great for helping to maintain healthy skin and hair, while also helping to provide a strong nervous system. Inositol is unique, in that it is technically a sugar rather than a vitamin, but it helps the body to process insulin. Oats are a unique superfood, as they are not only a naturally gluten free and vegan source of protein, but they are also incredibly affordable. The amount of protein in oats is often understated in favour of its fibre contents, however dry oats actually contain around 26 grams of protein per cup! Why everyone should keep oats in their pantry? The overwhelming health benefits of oats combined with how simple they are to cook with, make them an ideal part of any balanced diet particularly for those who are struggling with their protein or fibre intake. As well as the obvious use of oats as a breakfast food, oats are also an incredibly useful ingredient for any aspiring baker adding texture, flavour and a litany of health benefits to pretty much any dish you can think of.

Nutrients are the building blocks for health, whether that's making sure your bones are strong or your heart is healthy, they are crucial to a long and healthy life. It can seem difficult to make sure your diet is loaded with enough nutrients to really feel the benefits but eating healthily has never been easier, and these powerful wholefoods are a great way to start improving the nutritional content of your cooking. Lentils Lentils should be a staple of any healthy diet, however their high protein and iron content make them particularly crucial to those on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Not only are lentils packed full of protein and vitamins, they are also high in fibre but low in fat and calories making them a great wholefood for those looking to manage their weight. As well as their health benefits lentils are an incredibly versatile legume, they are a widely used ingredient in Indian, Greek and Mediterranean cooking while also being a great meat substitute in plant based dishes. To prepare lentils, simply soak in water for 20 minutes, then boil them in fresh water for 10 minutes, before simmering them for 30 minutes. Quinoa Quinoa is perhaps one of the best known wholefoods in the world and with good reason. Despite technically being classed as seed, quinoa is a wholegrain that originates from the Andes Mountains, where it has been a staple of South American cuisine for the last 5000 years. Quinoa is a complete protein, which essentially means that one serving contains all 9 amino acids that humans can’t produce on their own. As well as being protein dense quinoa is a great source of iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and fibre. Because of its many incredible health benefits quinoa is a great addition to pretty much any diet, but in particular it is an easy way for those on a low gluten or vegan diet to make sure they get enough protein. Quinoa is best used as an alternative to rice or couscous, and it is incredibly easy to prepare, simply add quinoa to a pan with water, bring it to a boil and then simmer for around 15 minutes before draining, then fluff with a fork and enjoy. Chickpeas Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are one of the healthiest beans you can introduce into your diet. Originally from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, chickpeas are now a staple in cuisines all over the world, primarily for their versatility and significant nutritional content. Like most beans chickpeas are high in both fibre and protein, however uniquely they also contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, D and E as well as iron, zinc, potassium and calcium. Chickpeas have a wide range of uses, but they are especially important in making hummus and falafels, or as a meat substitute for those on a plant based diet. To prepare fresh chickpeas simply soak them overnight in water and then drain, rinse and boil for approximately 30 minutes. Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin seeds are one of the healthiest seeds you can incorporate effortlessly into your diet. By eating them straight from the bag or sprinkling them straight into your cooking you can obtain a huge amount of nutrients and antioxidants from pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are high in fibre, which is great for boosting digestive health, but also rich in protein and vitamin E. As well as their high nutritional content pumpkin seeds contain a multitude of antioxidants to keep your body healthy. Pumpkin seeds also make for a perfect snack in between meals, as their fatty acids provide slow releasing energy to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Almonds Almonds are one of the most widely consumed nuts in the world, mainly due to their unique slightly sweet flavour and sheer number of uses, but they also have countless health benefits. Almonds have a very high concentration of fatty acids that are vital for promoting healthy skin and hair, as well as this almonds contain 2 nutrients crucial for brain health, Riboflavin and L Carnitine both of which can be very hard to obtain from other foods. Alongside their high fibre and protein content, the regular consumption of almonds has also been shown to help maintain a healthy cholesterol level. Organic Pitted Prunes Prunes are one of the best dried fruits in regard to their nutritional content, and if pitted are even easier to enjoy. Prunes are dried plums, and are best known for their benefits to digestive health, they have a subtle sweet taste and a slight chewy texture but their incredible nutritional content is often overlooked. Not only are prunes famously packed with fibre, they also have an abundance of vitamins and minerals including potassium, iron and vitamin K which is needed for blood clotting to help heal wounds. Golden Linseed/Flaxseed Flaxseed comes in two varieties, gold and brown and while they differ very little nutritionally golden flaxseed has a slightly more rich taste. Flaxseed is most commonly used in baking to bind ingredients as an egg alternative, it is also a superfood in its own right. High in wheat free fibre and protein, flaxseed is a great alternative for those trying to cut down on gluten. Flaxseed is also an amazing source of omega 3 fatty acids, including Alpha Linolenic Acid, which can otherwise be very hard to obtain for those on a vegetarian diet. Flaxseed can be sprinkled into both sweet and savoury dishes, or even mixed with water and enjoyed on their own. It is however important to note that as you increase your intake of flaxseed, you should also increase your water intake to around 8-10 cups per day. Oats Oats are naturally gluten free, high in fibre and protein, with an abundance of B vitamins and a slow releasing energy source, making them a truly one of a kind wholefood. The high amount of soluble and insoluble fibre in oats allows them to both lower cholesterol and aid digestion. Not only do oats contain vitamins B1 and 2, they also provide the hard to obtain beta-glucan which is amazing for heart health. Alongside the countless health benefits, oats also have a very low glycemic index and so their energy is released slowly throughout the day, which makes them very useful for managing appetite and assisting in weight loss. Oats are also very simple to prepare, simply add double the amount of water/cream to oats and cook for 8 minutes. These wholefoods are just some of the incredible ingredients you should be keeping in your pantry, and thousands more are waiting for you to discover. Whether you are using them to cook with or just as a healthy snack, it is never too late to make great long lasting changes to your diet and you’ll be feeling the difference in no time. All of these amazing nutritious foods have countless uses, perfect for aspiring chefs, bakers or those who just want to live a cleaner healthier life.

Whether you’re a master chef or a beginner, whole grains can initially seem intimidating when it comes to home cooking. However, in reality whole grains are surprisingly simple, and so versatile you’ll be using them, without thinking, in no time. To start with we’ll go through the most popular whole grains, how to prepare them and some basic recipe ideas. Quinoa, perfect for salads, soups and stews : Quinoa is a fluffy and light pseudo grain hailing from South America that makes for a perfect gluten free alternative to couscous or a healthier alternative to rice. Quinoa is prepared in a fairly similar way to rice, if anything it is even easier, as you don’t necessarily need to worry too much about adding water or salt. Much like rice, the ratio of quinoa to water you choose to use will affect its texture, so you can tailor it for whatever a particular dish requires. If you choose to add more water, your quinoa will have an almost mushy texture, and if you choose to add less water you’ll have a drier final result. How to prepare quinoa: 1. Combine one cup of quinoa with one cup of water (this will provide the fluffiest final result) in a pan or rice cooker. 2. Bring the water to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. 3. Turn off the heat and let the quinoa rest for 10 minutes. 4. Once the quinoa looks translucent, fluff it with a fork and serve! Quinoa can be quite bland on its own, as it only has a subtle nutty flavour so it is always best to serve it either with a flavourful dish, or use a strong dressing to really make the most of it. We recommend this delicious pistachio and quinoa salad as a starting point. Oats, great for baking into sweet treats or making the perfect healthy breakfast: Oats are one of the most versatile whole grains you can have in your pantry, but they are actually also one of the simplest to cook with. Porridge is perhaps one of the most typical uses of oats, and there are countless recipes for great healthy versions of it (we recommend this one) but there are a few things to avoid when making porridge. Pitfalls to avoid when making porridge: ● Use the correct water to milk ratio - you can easily make your porridge thicker or thinner by adding more or less milk, but it is important to balance the two to avoid making either a soupy mess or a chunky disaster. ● Keep the porridge on a medium heat - avoid going any higher otherwise you’ll run the risk of burning the oats and ruining your pan! ● Make sure to spice it up - adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg is an amazing way to make your breakfast more flavourful without ruining its health benefits and avoiding making a bland final result. Overnight oats are another delicious and healthy way to start the day, and although they need more time to prepare they are just as simple, we recommend adding berries and almonds for an even better final result. As mentioned above, oats are also a great ingredient in baking, and they can really help to add both texture and flavour to pretty much any baked dish, so don’t be afraid to experiment! For a sweet (but healthy) treat we recommend these buckwheat flour banana muffins with oats. Brown vs wild rice - superstar carbohydrates: Brown rice and wild rice are both incredibly healthy carbohydrates, despite their names they are actually very different, in flavour, texture and preparation. Wild rice is typically longer and skinnier than brown rice, and most importantly, much chewier. This makes wild rice more appropriate for dishes where you really want to bulk out the texture while also keeping it healthy. Brown rice on the other hand is a lot lighter by comparison, so it is less likely to dominate the meal and won’t alter the texture too drastically. How to prepare wild rice As wild rice is technically a grass rather than a rice it requires a significantly longer cooking time, so it's best to keep this in mind when cooking with it. 1. Rinse the wild rice thoroughly to remove any excess starch and avoid a sludgy final result. 2. Using a ratio of around 3.5 cups of boiling water to every 1 cup of wild rice combine the two in a pan. 3. Bring the rice back down to a simmer for around 50 minutes or until all of the grains have popped 4. Take the rice off of the heat and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes 5. Fork through the grains with a knob of butter and serve! While wild rice does have a stronger flavour and more dominant texture than brown rice it is still best to serve it with something flavourful. How to prepare brown rice: Brown rice is a lot more simple, but the cooking times do vary based on the length of grain, so it’s always best to check the packet if you’re unsure. 1. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove any excess starch (as you would with wild rice). 2. Using a ratio of 2:1 water to rice, combine the two with a pinch of salt in a large pan (although this ratio can be tailored to the specific dish you’re making). 3. Bring the rice to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for thirty minutes or until all of the water is absorbed. 4. Remove the pan from the heat and leave the rice to stand for ten minutes. 5. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve! Why not get started cooking whole grains now: Hopefully by following these tips and suggestions the prospect of incorporating whole grains into your home cooking seems less daunting. By cooking and eating healthily you’re bound to notice the difference in no time, and soon you’ll be reaching for whole grains without a second thought. If you’re ever stumped you can always check our recipe page for even more advice!