Some people are intolerant to the gluten contained in our usual wheat flour. Therefore, they have to limit themselves to many foods. They prefer to prepare flour products from rice flour, which does not contain gluten. Many absolutely healthy people also love dishes with this component. There are many recipes based on rice flour. This component is used as a thickener in the manufacture of baby food. This suggests that this product is not only not harmful, but also beneficial for our body.
1Value of rice flour
Before you decide to make rice flour, be sure to find out some details about the selected raw material. It is necessary to understand that there is no unanimous opinion regarding the usefulness or unusefulness of this raw material, because contradictions arise in all matters, but it is necessary to know general information on this matter.
Experts say that rice itself is a fairly high-calorie product, but it is worth noting that no one consumes it raw, and when cooked, the level of calories in the product is reduced by half. If we talk about the composition of this product, we can say that it is 70% carbohydrates, respectively, with very little left for fats and proteins.
As for the useful components in this raw material, there are enough of them, namely:
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Folic acid
- Potassium
- There are also B vitamins.
Today, rice is most often used as a basis for various dishes, and rice is also added to salads, sushi is made from it, etc. Despite this, rice flour is currently gaining momentum in popularity.
About the nutritional value of rice flour
The calorie content of rice is about 360 kcal, but when cooked, rice absorbs water, so its calorie content when boiled is approximately 120 kcal. In terms of composition, this cereal belongs to carbohydrates, which make up 73%. The protein and fat content is 7% and 2.2%, respectively. A large amount of carbohydrates can be both a plus and a minus, depending on what goals you are pursuing. As for nutrients and vitamins, rice contains: B vitamins, PP, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, pantothenic acid and folic acid.
Rice came to Russia relatively recently - 400 years ago. And at first, rice seeds were called “Saracen grain.” The word “rice” itself began to be used only in the 19th century. During its existence in Russia, rice did not become as widely used as in other countries. Basically, it is boiled and various main dishes are prepared with it.
Rice milk and rice flour are just beginning to make their way onto Russian dinner tables.
2Properties of rice flour
I would like to start with the fact that at this point in time, many gourmets have replaced wheat flour with rice flour. The thing is that it is perfectly absorbed by the body, even a child’s, and it is also much lighter than wheat.
People who want to eat healthy and also diversify their diet often include rice flour in their diet. The main advantage of the product in question is the absence of such a component as gluten in its composition, so vegetarians are very fond of this product and consume it regularly. Let's quickly figure out how to prepare such flour and what you need to know about this process.
Beneficial features
What's special about rice flour? The answer to this question is related to the composition of rice and its properties. Compared, for example, with our popular wheat flour, rice flour is lighter and better absorbed by the body. Therefore, it is often recommended for use by people who want to make their diet healthier or simply to diversify it.
A very important point is that rice flour does not contain gluten, which is also very important if you are looking after your health. In addition, rice flour is one of the favorite foods of vegetarians and vegans.
3 Nuances of preparation and product selection
Of course, today you can easily find this flour on the shelves in any store, but preparing such a product at home is more interesting and healthier, so let’s take a closer look at this process.
If you are planning to prepare rice flour yourself, you must have special equipment at hand that can 100% cope with grinding hard rice. Look carefully in the instructions to see if your blender is suitable for grinding such a solid fraction; if not, you shouldn’t force it, then take a meat grinder and use it for the purpose in question.
The recipe for rice flour is incredibly simple, you will need flour and a technique with which you will grind it. I would like to immediately note that instant rice is not suitable for the purpose in question (this is not a recommendation, but a rule). Among other things, raw rice must be used to prepare rice flour.
How to make using a blender
Step-by-step instructions on how to make rice flour at home:
- Select rice to make flour (white and brown). In the first case, the product will be universal and suitable for preparing both sweet dishes and any others. Brown rice has a specific flavor that will complement dishes. This product is not for everybody. This must be taken into account when choosing the main ingredient.
- You need to purchase a blender that has a grain grinding function. Without this option, a conventional device will not cope with grinding rice into flour.
- Place one to four cups of cereal into a blender. It is undesirable to use more than this amount, as this will affect the quality of the final product.
- All you have to do is press the button and beat the cereal for a long time until it reaches the required powder consistency.
- The finished flour should be used immediately, or poured into an airtight container, as the product can absorb odors and become damp. Without a tightly sealed container, rice flour can become moldy.
4Preparing rice flour
So, the method for preparing rice flour:
- We take regular rice and rinse it very well under running water, then fill it with water and leave it soaked for at least 1.5 hours. Do not forget that you should not soak rice for too long a period, because then it will not turn into high-quality rice flour. Soaking in warm water is also not advisable. the water should be cool.
- Now it's time to dry the washed rice. To do this, place it on some clean towel (preferably waffle towel, they absorb moisture well). You should not wait for the rice to dry completely, because it will be more difficult to grind when it is completely dry.
- Now pour the rice into the blender bowl so that no more than a quarter of it is occupied, because a larger amount will complicate the process of thorough grinding.
- Now it's time to start grinding the rice into flour. Select the desired mode and turn on the blender (the time will depend on the power of your equipment). Here you need to remember the following: the finer you grind the product, the safer it will be (in this case we are talking about the fact that finely ground flour does not affect the quality characteristics of other products).
- As soon as you have ground the flour to the required fraction, so to speak, you can pour the flour into the bowl - it is already ready for further use.
It is imperative to store rice flour under a lid so that moisture does not penetrate inside the vessel.
Where and what kind of rice flour can you buy?
You can buy rice flour both in regular supermarkets and on the websites of various retailers.
Manufacturers offer packages of different weights (from 200 to 600 g); flour is packaged in paper bags:
- on the website of the OZONE online store, rice flour is presented from a large number of manufacturers, both domestic and foreign; Before adding the product to your cart, read the ingredients of the product - sometimes starch, such as corn starch, raising agents and acidity regulators are added to rice flour;
- iHerb sells white and brown rice flour on its website; In the description of the flour, the store administration assures the buyer that the raw materials used are kosher and of the highest quality - this probably explains the high cost of the product: 544 rubles. 54 kopecks for 618g organic white rice flour;
- retailer Wildberries pleases with its offer of rice flour from manufacturers from different countries at affordable prices; here you can find different types of rice flour - one is more suitable for making pancakes, the other is made specifically for Chinese dumplings or Japanese desserts;
- the website and Metro Cash & Carry shopping centers offer only a few items, but you can choose at a reasonable price - there is a 500 g package for 80 rubles. 91 kopecks and for 139 rubles. 99 kopecks;
- The Auchan grocery hypermarket chain offers rice flour from only two manufacturers, but at a very reasonable price - “S. Pudov” for 65 rubles. 49 kopecks and “Garnets” for 79 rubles. 20 kopecks (per package 500 g);
- On the website and in hypermarkets of the domestic Lenta chain you can find two brands of rice flour: POLEZZNO (161 rubles 00 kopecks per 500 g) and “Kudesnitsa” (74 rubles 69 kopecks per 500 g). Lenta’s website, by the way, differs from the others for the worse - the search shows at once the entire range of flour, from wheat to almond and rye, which forces you to look for rice flour among other types of flour and this is completely inconvenient.
Taking into account all the features, advantages and disadvantages of rice flour, you can and should use it to prepare a wide variety of dishes in order to diversify the range of taste sensations, because as the English poet said: “Variety is an inexhaustible source of pleasure” (Samuel Johnson, 18th century). Cook with pleasure!
5Dishes made from rice flour
In fact, a lot of dishes can be prepared from the flour in question. It makes excellent wagashi and mochi, and very tasty rice bread.
In appearance, the flour in question is not very different from wheat, but as soon as it comes to cooking, the difference immediately becomes clear, namely:
- You can’t add yeast to rice flour, otherwise there will be an apocalypse, don’t even try.
- To prepare dishes with rice flour, you need to use more water than with wheat flour.
- If you want to eat healthy, then brown rice flour is ideal.
- If you don't want to get lumps when cooking any dish using rice flour, add more eggs.
Making rice flour is easy, so you can try it, and it won’t take much time.
Tips for using the finished product
- Add more liquid and eggs to baked goods made from this flour, as this product absorbs a lot of water. If these conditions are met, the baked goods and bread will not turn out dry.
- After preparing baked goods from the product, they should also be stored in a tightly closed container to maintain their normal moisture content.
- Rice flour should not be combined with yeast. Due to its stickiness, the dough simply will not rise.
You will learn how to make berry pie with rice flour in the following video.
Potato flour
Potato flour is rich in vitamin B and fiber. Do not confuse it with starch; when preparing flour, it is specially decanted. It is suitable for preparing moist baked goods - bread, pancakes and waffles, as well as pureed soups and sauces. Cut raw potatoes into large pieces and puree in a powerful blender until liquid. Place in thick gauze and squeeze to strain out the starch. Place the resulting mixture on baking paper and place in a dehydrator overnight. In the morning, grind the dry mass again in a blender, sift through a sieve and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Corn flour
Mexicans use it to make tortillas for burritos and tacos, chips, soups and sauces. Italians and Abkhazians add it to porridge and soup. Baking with the addition of corn flour becomes more airy and sunny due to its red color. Grind corn kernels or corn grits in a blender or coffee grinder, sift through a sieve and store in a dry place for up to 6 months.
Cornmeal tacos are a culinary hit in many countries.
Pancakes with a surprise
Dorayaki is one of the most popular national Japanese desserts. It consists of two honey sponge pancakes held together by velvety red adzuki bean paste. By the way, the biscuit, which the Japanese call “castella,” can be a separate delicacy. It is very moist and dense, bright yellow inside, with a delicious golden brown crust on the outside. In Japan, dorayaki is prepared at every turn, sometimes right in the middle of the street to the delight of passers-by.
Ingredients:
- wheat flour - 200 g
- sugar - 120 g
- chicken eggs - 3 pcs.
- liquid honey - 1.5 tbsp. l.
- baking powder - 2 tsp.
- water - 100 ml
- adzuki bean paste - 300 g
Beat eggs with sugar and honey into a homogeneous mass. Separately mix 4-5 tbsp. l. boiled water with baking powder. Pour in the egg mixture, sift the flour little by little and knead the dough. Cover it with cling film and let it rest for half an hour.
Now add water little by little so that the dough acquires the consistency of pancakes. Heat the frying pan well without oil and pour 2 tbsp into the center. l. test. You should get a neat round cake with a diameter of 10–12 cm. When bubbles appear on the surface, carefully turn it over with a spatula, keep it on the fire for 15–20 seconds and place it on a plate. Fry the rest of the flatbreads in the same way. Before serving, grease the pancakes with sweet bean paste and put them together.
Almond flour
Almond flour is incredibly healthy - pure protein, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. Almond flour is used in dense-textured baked goods - cupcakes, muffins, brownies. To prepare, soak the nuts in boiling water for 2 minutes, remove the brown skin and grind in a powerful blender. It is important to stop in time before the mass becomes oily. Sift through a sieve and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Almond flour makes excellent muffins, cupcakes, and brownies.
Bread
Baked goods made from rice flour are very tasty and healthy. Bread is an essential product for human nutrition. To prepare it you will need:
- Flour - one glass.
- Water - half a glass.
- One egg.
- Salt and sugar, one teaspoon each.
- Dry yeast - two teaspoons.
Cooking process:
Dry yeast, warm water and sugar are mixed and left until foam appears. Flour and salt are added. A depression is made in the middle and an egg is broken directly into the yeast. Everything gets mixed up. If there is not enough liquid, add. The dough is poured into a mold greased with vegetable oil. Now you need to wait for it to rise. Bake for 30 minutes at 200 degrees. Remove the bread from the mold and cool.
Wheat flour is not fashionable. What to replace it with
Fluffy snow-white wheat flour is out of fashion! Thanks to her for the fluffy pancakes and pies “from grandma,” but it’s time to replace it with a product that is good for your figure and health.
In my recipes, I try to replace regular refined flour with whole grain flour. The whole grain is crushed for it. Thanks to this, it retains fiber, vitamins and other beneficial substances. So look for the “whole grain” label on packages of wheat flour. Yes, it is a little more expensive, but this is the case when you definitely don’t need to save on your health. Also, take a closer look at these types of flour.
Oat flour. Makes dishes more crumbly. Store-bought can sometimes taste bitter, so it’s better to make it yourself from oatmeal. Suitable for pies, pancakes, and in combination with other flours even for biscuits.
Rice. Gluten-free (some people get fat from it, and either it’s a matter of psychosomatics, or it’s true that gluten is merciless to the figure, but it’s better to minimize its presence in dishes). At the same time, rice flour is similar in texture to wheat flour. Neutral in taste. It gives a delicate structure and is suitable for many dishes: cheesecakes, casseroles, pancakes, biscuits and pies.
Corn. Gluten free too. Gives dishes a beautiful yellow tint. Makes baked goods fluffy. Pairs perfectly with rice flour. Suitable for biscuits, cookies, pancakes, pies, scones.
Buckwheat. And it's gluten free! It has a pleasant sweetish taste and contains all the benefits of buckwheat. Ideal for cupcakes, pancakes, muffins.
Rye. Makes the dough more dense and combines well with other types of flour. Suitable for savory buns, biscuits, pies, bread.
Whole grain wheat. It makes baked goods denser and tougher; it is better to combine it with rice or corn. Suitable for muffins, biscuits, pies, bread.
Corn, tapioca starch. You can replace 20–30% of any flour and make baked goods more tender and airy. Also great for thickening sauces and custards.
Millet flour
Millet can very rarely be found on Russian shelves. But it is eaten in folk tales, which means it’s worth shaking up the traditions. In Europe, millet is a vitamin superfood and a fashionable component of cleansing diets. Grind the millet in a blender or coffee grinder, sift through a sieve and store in a dry place for up to 6 months.
In Russian folk tales, millet porridge is often eaten
How to replace sugar in baked goods and sweet dishes
Why do you need insulin spikes in the blood and excess weight, which is promoted by refined granulated sugar? I use natural sugar substitutes like these.
Honey, 329 Kcal per 100 g. Natural honey contains a large amount of vitamins and macroelements. But it should not be heated, as it loses its beneficial properties. Therefore, it is better to simply pour it over a dish or use it in recipes that do not require heating.
Jerusalem artichoke syrup, 267 Kcal per 100 g. This is a natural sugar substitute with a low glycemic index (GI). It is a rich source of inulin and pectin, improves metabolism, removes toxins from the body and strengthens the immune system. You can make biscuits and creams with it. The ratio of sweetness to sugar is 1:1.
Coconut sugar, 382 Kcal per 100 g. Outwardly very similar to dark cane sugar. It has a GI lower than that of beet and cane sugar. Before adding it, sift well through a sieve. The ratio of sweetness to regular sugar is 1:1.
Stevia. This is a plant from which natural sweeteners are made. Hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. Don't add too much so that the dish doesn't taste bitter. Has almost zero calorie content.
Sweetener with erythritol. My favorite for baking. Contains: erythritol, sucralose, stevioside. Gives no aftertaste. Safe for health. The sweetness to sugar ratio is written on the packaging. Has almost zero calorie content.
Use in cosmetology
Rice flour is indispensable not only in the kitchen. It is a necessary ingredient for preparing nourishing, cleansing and softening masks for the face and body at home. Rice flour absorbs all impurities like a sponge. Masks based on it help in the fight against age spots and freckles. Recipes for some of them:
- Delicate facial skin is well cleansed with a scrub made from a mixture of rice flour and honey in a ratio of three to one.
- To cleanse and nourish the skin of the body, another mixture is prepared: ground coffee and rice flour are mixed in equal proportions.
- To prepare a moisturizing, nourishing face mask, you need to mix rice flour with vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons and 1 tablespoon, respectively. If you add one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to the prepared mixture, the mask will have a whitening effect.
Be beautiful and happy.
How to make homemade noodles
Mix 330 grams of rice flour with three eggs and a pinch of salt. Mix everything with a blender for about thirty minutes. The dough should be elastic and soft. If there is excess liquid, the dough sticks; if there is too little, it crumbles. Everything should be in moderation. After this, the dough is rolled out and cut into strips, but not too thin, otherwise it will tear.
If the noodles will not be used to prepare a dish right away, they need to be dried. To do this, lay it out in one layer on a towel and by morning it will be dry. Feel free to put it in a jar for bulk products and place it in the closet.
