Once a staple food of the Aztecs, chia seeds are ground into flour that is often used in gluten-free baking and also works well as a thickener and binder, sometimes used in place of xantham or guar gum in small amounts. Chia flour can be combined with other flours for baking or it can be used on its own -- particularly recommended for those who are gluten intolerant -- for baking bread, muffins, scones and all other baked goods.
Chia Flour Bread
Chia flour can be used to bake bread. This can be done using 100 percent chia flour or in combination with other flours such as oat, spelt, amaranth or rye. Experimenting will produce a variety of bread densities and textures. Chia flour is gluten and wheat free so it is especially useful for those who are intolerant to these grain flours such as individuals suffering from celiac disease. A traditional bread recipe can be substituted with chia flour or a combination of grain flours, and made in a bread machine or kneaded by hand and baked in the oven according to the recipe directions.
Other Baked Goods Using Chia Flour
Chia flour can be used to make a variety of baked goods such as scones, muffins, pancakes, cookies and more. Substitute regular flour in recipes with all chia or mix it with a combination of flours such as amaranth, buckwheat or others. Scones are simple to make and an easy first step towards learning bake with chia. Baking time will take a little longer than when using regular flours, but this will depend on your oven. Chia flour does not have a strong flavor so it is suitable for a variety of recipes that call for flour.
Using Chia Flour as a Binder and Thickener
Chia flour can be used to thicken sauces and gravies just like regular flours, gently stirring in until the sauce begins to thicken. Ground chia seeds can also be used to turn liquids such as juice, water or milk into gels by letting them sit in the liquid for up to 25 minutes and then refrigerating the gel for later use. The amount of chia flour you use will determine the eventual thickness of the gel. The flour or coarsely ground seeds can also be used as a binder for meat such as with hamburgers, sausages or meatballs instead of using other flours or eggs.
Chia Health Benefits
Chia flour has all the reputed health benefits of chia seeds. Chia is the highest, plant-based source of omega 3, and is gluten-free, high in fiber and protein and convenient for use in a variety of ways. It is also reasonably priced and may be used as a flax substitute for those with health concerns associated with the regular use of flax seeds.
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