Hercules porridge: properties and popular recipes
Hercules is an exceptionally valuable product. But in order to get the maximum benefit and taste, you need to correctly approach the choice of oatmeal. Store shelves are filled with a variety of packages with this product, differing in time and method of preparation. But real oatmeal porridge takes time and patience, and, of course, natural sweet helpers.
Dish properties
Among the variety of varieties of oatmeal, "Hercules" stands out. From "Petal" and "Extra" this type differs in the method of processing, which, in turn, affects the cooking time. Quick boiling of flakes is characteristic of "Extra", but there are much fewer elements useful for the body in it. It is heat treatment that destroys the existing substances. A more gentle method is used in the preparation of Hercules. As a result, all valuable substances are preserved, headed by fiber. But cooking dishes from this type of cereal should be done exclusively on low heat, about 20 minutes.
When buying cereal, you should not choose what, at first glance, may seem the best because of the price. The maximum benefit will bring correctly selected and high-quality oatmeal porridge. It is worth paying attention to the condition and integrity of the box, the number and time of packaging and, of course, storage conditions and expiration dates.
To make the right choice, you need to pay attention to some points.
- Exceptionally cereal. To prepare a tasty and healthy breakfast, do not choose a package with additional flavors - sugar, berries, nuts, fruits and other ingredients. They affect the reduction of the benefits of the food product. They also add calories and numbers on the price tag. Interestingly, such bags of porridge do not contain oatmeal flakes, but finely ground varieties that do not need to be boiled - it is enough to pour them with boiling water. Such porridge cannot be called useful!
- Transparent box. It is this type of packaging that is the best and safest. Right in the store, you can see the flakes for their external condition and for the presence of external additives. Only pure cereals are of high quality. You may notice the so-called white chips in the bag, do not be alarmed, these are the remains of compressed grains. The predominance of such particles is also unacceptable, because here the fiber content is equal to zero.
- Only white. Permissible shades are considered yellow and cream. Brown, dark flakes are not of the best quality.
- Discard the cardboard box. Hercules groats are capable of quickly absorbing moisture from the external environment. Packaged in cardboard packs, it is vulnerable to storage violations, which leads to the death of the product. Excess moisture kills valuable elements in porridge. Since you do not know if the product storage standards were observed, cereals in such packages should be discarded.
- Various expiration dates. Closed polyethylene bags provide Herculean groats with the longest shelf life - up to 1 year. All usefulness and goodness is preserved in excellent condition. Cardboard packaging significantly reduces the time - up to 4 months.
Hercules flakes have always been considered a useful product for humans.But do not forget that they are also dietary, as they have a high energy value, which provides a long-lasting feeling of satiety. 100 g of cereal contains 352 calories.
BJU: 12.5 g - protein; 6.2 g - fat; 61 g - carbohydrates.
Hercules is a rich source of useful and vital elements for the human body. Flakes contain many necessary components.
- Rough fibre. Even during processing, some of it is retained in the product. It cannot be digested in the stomach, therefore, when it enters the intestines, it manifests itself as a purifier of toxins and toxins. It is this porridge that is recommended during a diet and for a gentle cleansing of the body. An assistant in this matter will be a large amount of water.
- Amino acids. They control normal muscle work by forming proteins in muscle tissues. People who are engaged in physical activity are advised to consume a hercules product, since Hercules quickly restores muscle tone after stress. It will also be useful for children for proper development and strong muscle mass.
- Vitamins. In the presence of vitamin B group, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium. Without these trace elements, the proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and bone formation is impossible.
- Gluten. Due to the content of this protein (gluten), the finished porridge can stretch a lot. Once in the stomach, gluten is able to reduce the effect of acid on internal tissues. It is necessary to use porridge for people with gastritis, ulcers and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
- Carbohydrates. They are the most powerful suppliers of energy to the human body. There are a lot of them in hercules - 61 g per 100 g. Therefore, it is considered a high-calorie product.But these carbohydrates cannot be called harmful, as they are converted into energy slowly. This keeps you feeling full for hours.
There are also contraindications to the use of the product.
- Children's individual gluten intolerance (it is desirable to refuse porridge for children in the first year of life). Existing protein can negatively affect the child's digestion, which will exacerbate the problem. It is best to check with your doctor before using this product if your child is allergic to gluten.
- celiac disease (genetic protein intolerance). In an adult, an upset stomach is observed, which entails inflammatory processes, provokes bloating, and frequent urge to go to the toilet. It also blocks the absorption of nutrients.
Cooking rules
Hercules flakes porridge can be boiled either in water or in milk. Sometimes both ingredients are mixed and a new liquid is obtained. Water-based proportions: 1 cup cereal + 2 cups water. You can add salt, sugar, butter, and sweet ingredients to the dish. First, the liquid should boil, then we fall asleep flakes. Don't forget to stir regularly. In order for the foam not to go beyond the edges of the pan, try removing it from the heat for a couple of seconds.
If milk is chosen as the basis, you will need 1 liter per 200 g of oatmeal. After the porridge boils, remove the dishes from the heat, cover with a lid and leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Before serving, add a piece of butter. You can also use slices of apples, bananas, or nuts.
It doesn’t matter which cooking recipe you prefer, the main thing is to follow the standard ratio of liquid to product - 3: 1.
Recipes
To cook porridge with water and milk, we need one glass of cereal, the same amount of milk and 1.5 glasses of water. Use salt and sugar as seasoning.
Step by step description of the process:
- pour water into a saucepan;
- wait until it boils;
- salt and add sugar;
- pour oatmeal;
- Boil for 15 minutes, remembering to stir;
- add warm milk to the water mixture and cook for another 5 minutes;
- after being removed from the fire, cover with a towel and leave to languish;
- for each serving, add a piece of butter.
Dried fruits, berries or honey will help make porridge more delicious. The classic recipe contains raisins and dried apricots.
Cooking right in the microwave
The microwave oven has long made the process of cooking the easiest. It doesn't take much time to prepare breakfast - just a couple of minutes.
One serving contains:
- 50 g of flakes;
- 300 ml of water;
- sugar and salt.
Step by step preparation:
- pour boiling water "Hercules";
- put in the microwave (it is better to use a large plate with wide sides so that the porridge does not “run away”);
- on the timer set the time - 1 minute;
- after the time has elapsed, we take it out and mix;
- send again for a minute.
We decorate the finished dish with raisins or any other fruit.
Milk porridge
This dish is great for kids of all ages.
For 1 liter of milk we use 1 glass of oatmeal.
We put the milk on the fire and wait for it to boil. After that, we fall asleep herculean flakes. Don't forget to salt and sweeten. Ready porridge will be in 15 minutes. You definitely need to stir. Take the saucepan off the stove. Add a piece of butter. Close and leave for a while. Delicious healthy porridge is ready. You can add honey, apples, raisins, bananas.
Helpful Hints
A common problem that housewives have when cooking oatmeal is overdoing it with liquid. Remember, at the initial stage of cooking it is better to use a little less water or milk, and then add the missing amount. Because you and your family are unlikely to like liquid porridge - the taste of Hercules will simply be lost in a large volume of liquid. By the way, the proportions and time are very dependent on the type of porridge and its manufacturer.
When buying bags in the store, you probably noticed that some are cooked in 3 minutes, others - more than 20. It will be right to decide on the products and buy only them.
Some housewives prefer to cook porridge with milk powder or cream. The process is identical, you just need to prepare the milk mixture first. To do this, add warm water to the milk powder, stir until a thick mass is obtained. Next, pour the liquid until the desired consistency is obtained. The next step is the same as when cooking on a natural dairy product.
Sometimes in the package you can find husks, particles of grains. Such unwanted additives will significantly spoil the sensation of taste. We advise you to do the following: fill the used volume of flakes with water, and when the so-called shavings float, remove it with a spoon.
Oatmeal porridge is good straight from the oven. Therefore, decide in advance on the number of servings. Serve only hot. Cold and standing porridge is no longer so tasty and fragrant.
For information on how to cook delicious herculean porridge with milk, see the video below.