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Packsize | 10 LB CS |
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Although commonly called Ivory White Lentils, these tiny, ivory-colored discs are not true lentils, but the white center of the Indian staple bean crop black gram (or urad dal). White Lentils have a mild, earthy flavor and soft texture when cooked. They are about 3/16 inch in diameter and are a rich source of protien.
Packsize | 10 LB CS |
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The quick cooking and nutritious nature of lentils make them an obvious choice for winter soups. They’re delicious in chilled vegetable salads, or mix with bread crumbs, minced onion, and garlic to stuff roasted red peppers or eggplant. They can even be put in a blender to make flour that can be used in recipes for the Indian breads dosa, idli, or papadum.
Israeli couscous is also a type of pasta, but consists of granules that are much larger – about the size of small pearls. Made from wheat flour and semolina, Israeli couscous has a ball-like shape and is toasted, rather than dried, after the granules are formed. This process gives Israeli couscous a nuttier flavor and chewy bite that adds an unexpected touch to regional recipes.
The traditional Valencia rice, round short grain ‘Paella Rice’from Valencia (used to make paella). It is characterized by its great capacity of absorption and the creamy texture of the grain after being cooked. A perfect choice for typical Mediterranean dishes as rissoto, rice dishes.
Corn is the only grain whose origin can be traced to the Americas. When Christopher Columbus landed in modern day Cuba some of his crew went inland and came across maize. Corn was then brought back to Europe. In Italy Corn is most often served as Polenta. This dish comes from the Lombardy and Veneto regions of Italy. Polenta can carry many different flavors and is a filling, nutritious dish. Fine Polenta has a slightly less coarse grind than traditional Polenta and has a shorter cooking time.
It is a short grain variety with a pearled color. Its size is equivalent to that of the short grain rice, sometimes even smaller, yet Bomba rice more than doubles its size when cooked. Its main characteristic is its great capacity to absorb flavors and aromas and that when cooked it is always “al dente,” loose and whole.
Barley was one of the first crops cultivated by man, and has been used as a food since Biblical times. Today, barley is still considered an excellent source of soluble fiber. With a higher beta-glucan content than oats, barley can be effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels. Barley also contains fiber, protein, carbohydrates and B vitamins. It’s low in fat and has no cholesterol. Although pearled barley is commonly used in soups, barley can be milled into various fractions, producing different cuts, pearls, flours, grits and flakes.