Super chef and ex-contestant of Masterchef Dan Churchill lends his knowledge with the new supergrain on the market – teff.
Why is teff so good for you?
Apart from the fact it is naturally gluten free, it is also nutrient-dense in calcium, iron and protein and offers a significant amount of vitamin C. What’s super awesome is the fact it is easily absorbed by the body which at the end of the day is what is most crucial. If you have an ingredient with plenty of nutrients but you can’t absorb it, you could almost ask yourself what’s the point.
What’s the best savoury way to have teff?
Teff is super versatile, and can take plenty of epic flavours. It can also be created into its own meal like pilaf or polenta, or even incorporated into meatballs and even chips. One of my favourites are savoury fritters – combine that with a legend of an avocado salsa and an agrodolce sauce (which is sweet and sour) and that is definitely next level amazing!
Can you mix it with other grains, such as cook it with rice or serve it in a salad with quinoa?
You can definitely combine these two bad boys together. I think they would also go great in patties (with or without meat) or falafels. You could even put them together for savoury muffins.
Is it possible to eat it as a dessert too?
Yeah definitely! A lot of initial recipes use teff in cakes and muffins. In terms of a sweeter option I love the creamy consistency it can give you for a coconut porridge. Being gluten free, it is an amazing alternative to substitute in dessert recipes for flours or even nut substitutes that a lot of people have allergies to.
What’s the best way to prepare it?
Teff is a lot like someone who has come from the desert for 30 days without water… it soaks up plenty of moisture and will continue to do so even off the heat. Make sure it is always 2-3 liquid to 1 teff ratio. From there you can take it which ever way you want – from chips to sauces.
Click here for our Coconut & Cinnamon Teff Porridge recipe.
Have you tried teff before, and did you like it? Tell us in the comments below.
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