Soaking Grains Chat

[RoxyS]

Hi Cathy, I tried apple cider vinegar first and it was really bad so just tried white vinegar thinking that would be better but it wasn't much better and my 15 yr old DS won't eat porridge till I change what I soak it in. Will be soaking in buttermilk tonight so will post tomorrow after breakfast.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I tried soaking my oats in cider vinegar and found it pretty vile too Roxy.  I haven't tried making porridge again to be honest.  Perhaps in a couple of months my family will have forgotten the taste and be willing to try another version. 

[Tebasile]

Have you tried lemon juice instead vinegar for the oats ?  I soak mine sometimes together with almonds, coconut flakes and cinnamon and blend it in the morning with apples and additional berries.....but it's uncooked.

[quirkycooking]

I like oats & some raw almonds soaked with water and a squeeze of lemon juice, then the next morning grate an apple onto it (skin included) and a little cream/yoghurt/coconut cream & honey - yum!

[RoxyS]

Thanks for the idea Tebasile. Will try the lemon juice if the buttermilk doesn't work. Might help to add some cinnamon. Will let you know how I get on.

 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I know this won't help you Jo (I just read on your blog about mould problems when soaking flour in the tropics), but I just wanted to let you all know that I have just started soaking my milled flours for 24 hours instead of 7-12 and the results are fantastic (my baking is so much lighter in texture).  I know many people are already soaking for 24 hours though (I am slowly getting there ).

I am recovering today from the soaked whole grain "blender bender" that I did on the weekend.  I must say it was rather fun (especially as DH took the kids outside to play for the arvo  ).

[RoxyS]

Chelsea, your blender bender sounds very worthwhile.

Re- the soaked oats, buttermilk was more palatable than the vinegar but still not liked by my DS so am trying lemon juice. If that fails too, I am told by DS that I am not allowed to try anything else, he just wants "normal" porridge.

[quirkycooking]

You've done well, Chelsea!  I'm going to try that too - I think it's a great idea.  I usually find overnight or a few hours more is okay for soaking in rice-almond milk with some apple cider vinegar.  The buckwheat I soaked was a bit over 24 hrs, so it's no wonder it went all mouldy.    It may drive me crazy having a heap of soaking dishes on the counter, but maybe I can find somewhere else to put them, like the downstairs room.  It does make the baking so much lighter the longer you soak, doesn't it.  As our weather gets cooler I'll be able to soak them for longer, I think.

I made the chocolate self-saucing pudding at a cooking class last night, explaining the soaking method, and they loved it!  the bowl was licked clean!  (Well, not literally...)

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

My DS2 licked our pudding bowl clean last night  .  We love your pudding recipe!!!

[Thermomixer]

Chelsea - it may well be that you have some wild yeasts helping you out with soaking. Dan Leppard says our grains/flour in Australia doesn't generally need sultanas etc to help forming sourdough starter.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

You've lost me Thermomixer.  Please explain   

[Tebasile]

Thanks for the idea Tebasile. Will try the lemon juice if the buttermilk doesn't work. Might help to add some cinnamon. Will let you know how I get on.

You're welcome RoxyS. I forgot the coconut flakes  and changed my post.

[cathy79]

Roxy, I haven't tried it, but this site has quite a bit of discussion about the transition to soaked oatmeal.

Hope you can nail it.

[Thermomixer]

You've lost me Thermomixer.  Please explain   

Soaking the grains for 24 hours may allow natural yeasts on the grains to start fermenting your flour.  That is how sourdough is made.  Just thought that you may have some extra raising agents to make the doughs lighter?

This link may help http://sourdough.com/forum/topic/54#comment-350 and http://sourdough.com/blog/sourdom/beginners-blog-starter-scratch

Clear as mud pies ?

[RoxyS]

Thanks Cathy79. The lemon juice is much more palatable and found the site you mentioned very interesting reading so may follow her recipe and see how my DS & DH react to it. Will have to see if I can get some chia seeds. Have never used them so will be interesting to see how they affect the taste. Have some wheat grain in the fridge so will add that to today's batch of soaking oatmeal.