Did anyone put by a stock of wheat berries in case of Y2K disaster? I have scads of recipes for using it besides in bread if anyone is interested I will be happy to post.

-- Susie*Ks (goodartfarm@msn.com), April 29, 2000

Answers

Please post!!! I want my close space back!!!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), April 29, 2000.

If you have a grain mill, you can just grind them for flour.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 29, 2000.

Yes, Susie, PLEASE post the recipes! I grind them for flour, sprout them for veggies (they taste like summertime!), and simmer them for soups and sidedishes. Could use the recipes, though - tend to get repetitive....

Judi

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), April 29, 2000.

Kathleen, While I do grind them for flour, I have enough to start my own bread company!! What in the world was I thinking? LOL!! How many loaves of bread can I bake? Seriously, I will be donating to the food bank this fall when foodstuffs fall off again. In the meantime, this stored food is allowing me to go to school this year. We don't have hardly any grocery bills. And of course, I will always maintain my pantry...just think I will maintain it for us, not the western U.S.!!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), April 29, 2000.

Please!!! I love wheat berries in bread, but I'd like more recipes!!!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), April 29, 2000.

Please post the procedure for sprouting them. That sounds good. I didnt put any back for Y2k but bought 200lbs real cheap from someone who did. Peggy

-- Peggy (wclpc@cookeville.com), April 30, 2000.

We started using fresh wheat flour before we even heard of Y2K, but we did stock up quite a bit. I have been using freshly ground flour to make the most scrumptious waffles I've ever eaten! They taste like those expensive "Belgian" waffles you can buy at restaurants. Another use that I have found is spaetzle. It's like fresh pasta. You mix the batter and grate it over boiling water. My children love it and there are all kinds of recipes on line for it. You can make it with a regular strainer or grater, but the maker works fabulous. I got mine from Lehman's for $6.95. I also purchased some old whole wheat cookbooks from ebay to find new recipes. I'm trying them out gradually with the family. I'll post if I find any new ones.

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), April 30, 2000.

I found these as I really stocked up for Y2K, 500 lbs of hard and 500 lbs of soft. I will try to post 2 or 3 a day till you are tired of them or I run out. I have casseroles, side dishes, and desserts.

To cook whole wheat berries, 1 cup Wheat Kernels to 3 cups water. Simmer covered 1 hour, or 30 minutes if presoaked like dried beans. It will also bring out a fuller flavor if you lightly toast them before cooking. I make several cups at a time and store them in the fridge and they are always ready. The will last up to a week that way.

Sprouting: Wash 1/3 cup wheat kernels. Place wheat kernels in bowl and cover with enough water for grain to swell; cover. Let stand overnight in a cool place. Drain and rinse kernels. Divide kernels into 3 1qt jars. Cover tops of jars with several layers of cheesecloth or nylon netting. Fasten the cheesecloth on each jar with two rubber bands or a screw top canning jar lid band. Place the jars on their sides in a warm, dark place (68-75 degrees) Once a day rinse the sprouts by pouring lukewarm water into the jars. Swirl to moisten all the grain kernels, then pour off the water. In 3 or 4 days, the wheat should sprout. After wheat has sprouted, keep refridgerated till serving time. Serve in salads, sandwiches, soups or breads.

Apple Meat Loaf 1 1/2 lb ground beef 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk 3/4 c whole wheat bread crumbs 2 apples, chopped 1/4 c. finely chopped onion 1/8 tsp pepper 1/8 tsp. nutmeg Preheat oven to 350. Combine ingredients well and bake for 1 hour.

Bountiful Wheat Casserole 1 lb lean ground beef 16 oz can tomatoes 1 tblsp salt 1 tsp each oregano, basil, and garlic powder 3 cups cooked wheat kernels 4 c. cabbage, coarsely-shredded 1/2 c. sour cream 1 c. each finely chopped onions and green peppers 1 c. grated mozzarella cheese

Saute beef until lightly browned. I add my onions and green peppers as well. Stir in tomatoes, seasoning, wheat and cabbage. Cover and cook 10-15 min. or until cabbage is tender crisp. Stir in sour cream. (the original recipes calls for adding onions and peppers at this time also.) Heat. Spoon into warm serving dish and sprinkle with cheese. let stand a few minutes before serving to allow cheese to melt. Makes 6-8 servings.

Chicken and Wheat Bake 1/2 c. chopped onion 2 tblsp. Oil 1 1/2 c. wheat kernels 2-3 tblsp. curry powder 1 16 oz pkg mixed vegetables 2 c. cubed, cooked chicken 2-3 c. chicken broth

In large saucepan, cook onion in hot oil until tender, Add wheat kernels, curry powder and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook, covered for 50 minutes. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Turn into 2 qt buttered casserole. Bake, covered at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 minutes more. (Note the wheat does not have to be precooked for this one.)

Chicken and Wheat Casserole 2 c. cooked wheat kernels 1 tsp. salt 2 c. chicken, cooked and diced 1 small can mushrooms 1/2 c. almonds, slivered 1 c. celery, diced 2 1/2 tblsp flour 2 tblsp instant chicken bouillion 3 c. chicken broth 1/2 c. Chinese noodles

Combine wheata with chicken, mushrooms, salt, almonds and celery. Add flour and bouillon to chicken broth and pour over other ingredients. Bake for one hour at 350. Before serving top with noodles.

Chicken Noodle Bake 1/3 lb of whole wheat noodles 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 qt water 1 c. cooked wheat kernels 1 c. cooked, chopped chicken 101/2 pz. can mushroom soup 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 c. chicken broth 3/4 c crushed potato chips

Cook noodles in salt water. Drain. Mix wheat, chicken, Mushroom soup, onion and broth with noodles. Turn into greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish, sprinkle with crushed potato chips. bake 35 minutes at 350.

(Note: remember if you are allergic to MSG as I am that almost every brand of mushroom soup on the market has it so you will have to make your own. Any of you who happen to be could start complaining to the Campbell soup company as they make even the off brands. They will tell you that their Healthy Choice doesn't have it, but try to get your wholesaler to get it in!)

More tomorrow but I will post under recipes for whole wheat 2 so you don't have to keep printing off the whole list. Please let me know how you like these. the bountiful is one of our family favorites.

-- Susie*Ks (goodartfarm@msn.com), May 01, 2000.

Thanks Susie, those sound great! It also looks like you could substitute part or all wheat berries in almost any noodle casserole recipe. I used to buy a commercial yogurt that had wheat berries in them and they were delicious. They haven't been available for years so I guess we were the only ones who liked them.

-- Peg (NW WI) (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), May 01, 2000.

Thanks so much! BTW, you beat me by 300 lbs!! tee hee. Look forward to your daily posts!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), May 01, 2000.