One of our big expenses at the grocery store come in the way of snacks--crackers, chips, sweets. When I shop when I'm hungry, it's even worse. Crackers are a big downfall.
One way to avoid the extra expense and still enjoy nightly snacking is by making your own popped wheat--not puffed wheat, but popped wheat.
Wheat is fairly inexpensive when bought in bulk. Many health food stores carry it. You can even buy wheat berries online at Wal-Mart.
Although you can buy puffed wheat cereal at the store, this is not something that can be safely done at home. Commercial manufacturers have equipment that pressurize the wheat berry with high temperatures and steam to the point where the steam flashes and the kernel puffs up like popcorn. So when "they" say, "don't try this at home," it's probably best to listen.
Wheat can still be popped, it just won't fluff up like popcorn. However, the kernels will expand slightly and can be eaten as a tasty, healthy treat that has a nutty flavor.
How to Pop Wheat.
1. Soak the berries overnight.
2. The next day, boil the wheat berries for a few minutes, then simmer them for 45 minutes. They should double and triple in size.
3. Drain the wheat berries and then put them on a clean, dry towel and pat them dry to take the excess moisture off them.
4. In a frying pan, add a few tablespoons of oil and the boiled wheat berries.
5. Cover the frying pan with a lid.
6. Pop the wheat berries as you would pop corn. (Gently shake the berries in the oil on top of the stove).
When your wheat berries are popped and still hot, remove the lid and add salt or seasonings to the popped wheat.
You can even add popped wheat to salads or sprinkle on top of your granola.
The popped wheat berries are much better than processed snack food that is much more expensive and bad for me.
So, my fellow Broke Galaxians, go forth and save $$$.
Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl
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