Tips For Taking Advantage Of The Nutritional Benefits Of Poppy Seeds

21 July 2016
 Categories: Food & Cooking, Blog

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If your only experience with poppy seeds is having them on top of your hamburger bun, you may not be aware of the nutritional goldmine these tiny, nutty seeds provide. In just one tablespoonful, you can get 13 percent of your daily calcium, as well as decent amounts of minerals, such as iron, manganese, and copper. Use the tips below to take advantage of these nutritional benefits.

Top Your Salad With Poppy Seeds

One way to add poppy seeds to your normal diet routine is to top your salad with a tablespoon of them. Their nutty flavor and crunchy texture can add depth to your salad. They also blend well with other seed toppings for your salad, such sesame or sunflower seeds.

Mix Poppy Seeds With Your Morning Oatmeal

Another way to use poppy seeds is to mix it with your morning oatmeal. You can prepare your oatmeal and poppy seed mix in two ways. The first method is to add a tablespoon of the seeds to the oats while they are cooking. This softens the seeds, making them softer and blending them in with the existing texture.

The second method is to stir the poppy seeds into the oatmeal after it has cooked. This adds a bit of crunch to your hot cereal. You can also add a tablespoon of flax seeds to increase the calcium, protein, and mineral content of your breakfast dish.

Make Your Own Cream-Filled Poppy Seed Coffee Cakes

If you would like to make a treat using the seeds, try making your own cream-filled poppy seed coffee cakes. First, spread out a 12-inch by 12-inch square of premade puff pastry on a piece of wax paper. Then, mix together a cup of poppy seeds, two cups of milk, and a cup and a quarter of sugar in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat the mixture until the sugar has melted.

Remove the pan from heat, and let it cool for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, use a rubber spatula to spread the mixture onto the pastry. Roll the pastry sheet, then slice into one inch pinwheels. Bake according to the package directions, then serve warm with coffee or milk. 

The above tips are only a few ways you can add the powerful nutritional benefits of poppy seeds to your diet. You can find them in grocery stores in small amounts, or you can buy poppy seeds in bulk from an online retailer.