Flax Seed Meals – A Quick History
The history of flaxseed goes back to as early as 3000 BC. It was considered as a miracle plant based food then and that continues even now. It mainly gets its good reputation because of its omega-3 fatty acid, lignans and fibre content.
How to prepare & preserve it?
I remember those days a decade earlier when I wasn’t able to locate flaxseed meal in the nearest grocery store. I used to buy the seeds and blend it in a mini coffee grinder. Then started making trips to a specialty store to get it. But now after a decade later flaxseed meal is readily available in almost every grocery store specialty or otherwise. Even Indian grocery stores here in Canada stock it up. So it should not be a big deal finding it. But remember to store it in the fridge/freezer because it will/does turn rancid quickly. Also do not buy huge packs unless and otherwise you know that you will use it regularly.
How to use it in Cooking/Baking?
For us cooks/bakers it’s a favorite because ground flaxseed or also known as flax-seed meal is vegan and can be used as a fat substitute and/or egg substitute in baked goods. That said I wouldn’t suggest omitting the fat in a baking recipe and using all flaxseed meal instead. It doesn’t work like that. The taste and texture of the baked treat will have to be compromised then. So start with small quantity, see how you like it and gradually use flax seed meal to replace about 1/3rds of the amount of oil/butter used in the original recipe.
How do you say Flax Seeds in other languages?
In Hindi – अलसी
In French – graines de lin
In Spanish – linaza
In Punjabi – ਸਣ ਬੀਜ
In Tamil – அல்லிவிதை/ஆளிவிதை/அல்லிவிரை
How to use Flax Seeds as a egg replacer?
As the name implies, it is a seed, a miracle plant-based food, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, an important source of the essential fat for vegetarians especially. We can make ground flax seed at home by freshly milling the seeds in a coffee grinder or get pre-ground flaxseed from the store. It is vegan making it perfect for vegan baking.
Whisk/blend 1 tablespoon ground flax with 3 to 4 tablespoons warm water for each egg to be replaced. Check-out the step-by-step instructions on how to make flax egg here.
When using flax eggs, baked goods are heavier, dense, and has a chewy texture. Ground Flaxseed has a nutty flavor, so it works best in recipes that are grainier and nuttier, such as waffles, pancakes, bread, bran muffins, and oatmeal cookies.
Flax Seed Meal Recipes
Here is the full list of baking recipes that use Flax Seed Meal as an egg substitute. Also, find some non-baking recipes that use flaxseed meal as one of the ingredients.
