Can you freeze 7 grain salad?
In this brief guide, we’ll explore the query: “Can you freeze 7 grain salad?” Also, we’ll explore how 7 grain salad can be frozen, what 7 grain salad is, what the nutritional content of 7 grain salad is, and is 7 grain salad healthy to eat?
Can you freeze 7 grain salad?
Yes, seven grain salad can be frozen, although some ingredients may fare a little better once defrosted than others, but nonetheless, the mixture will remain edible.
Despite its name, 7 grain salad contains cooked grains and little to no leafy greens, or at least, a negligible amount that can be frozen.
As a grain-based dish, 7 grain salad can be preserved at subzero temperatures, where it’ll keep for many weeks before it can be consumed. In contrast, if stored in refrigeration, it can last for 3 to 5 days, which is why freezing it may be preferable to some.
How can I freeze 7 grain salad?
Freezing 7 grain salad can be achieved by freezing its individual components before mixing them or freezing the mixture as a whole.
In either case, both will require that the ingredients be stored in tight-sealing containers or placed in quality freezer bags. For 7 grain salad to maintain its freshness, it should be frozen with as little air as possible in the container or bag, as the air, once cooled to subzero temperatures, may inflict freeze burns on the ingredients.
Cooked grains can be frozen for up to two months, after which, their quality may begin to decline.
Notably, some grains, when frozen, tend to preserve their quality a little better than others. These include dry beans, wheat berries, rice, sorghum, spelt, oats, corn, buckwheat, oats, and barley.
Grains that can be frozen but upon defrosting have a more bland consistency include lentils, softer beans, millet, amaranth and teff.
So in essence, a 7 grain salad made up of mostly freezable grains will maintain freshness and consistency, while some ingredients such as lentils and softer beans may turn mushy.
Defrosting can be achieved by heating it up in short intervals in the microwave, or on a skillet over the stove top, heating it up just enough to let steam build up and thaw it.
What is 7 grain salad?
Seven grain salad is a dish eponymously made up of seven different grains, which may include different types of beans, couscous, lentils, different types of rice, barley, wheatberry, etc.
These mixtures can be home made, or alternatively; the grain mixtures can be store bought, or even the salad in its entirety premade and refrigerated, ready to eat.
Additional ingredients mixed in with the grains include chopped onions, chopped peppers, and salt and pepper, though some recipes may call for additional ingredients such as chopped carrots, parsley, virgin olive oil, and crumbled feta cheese.
The salad is accompanied with a sauce or dressing that is made of vinegar, canola oil, honey, soy sauce, cumin, salt, turmeric and citric acid.
Its preparation, in the case of homemade 7 grain salad, requires only that all the aforementioned ingredients be mixed together until a homogeneous mixture is achieved.
The salad is best served chilled and seasoned to one’s taste.
What is the nutritional content of 7 grain salad?
A half cup (100 grams) of 7 grain salad will on average, provide:
- 190 calories
- 5 grams of protein
- 9 grams of fat – of which 0.5 grams are saturated and 0.1 grams are trans
- 24 grams of carbohydrates – of which 5 grams are fiber, and 1 gram is sugar
- And 380 milligrams of sodium.
It will also provide 2% of the suggested daily intake (SDI) of vitamin A, 8% of vitamin C, 2% of calcium and 10% of iron.
Is 7 grain salad healthy to eat?
Yes, 7 grain salad can be considered healthy to eat when part of a balanced diet that is complemented with exercise.
Its low-calorie content makes it weight loss friendly, and is a source of protein and fiber.
However, one should remain wary of how much sodium goes into the seasoning, as a high amount of sodium may trump all of these health benefits.
Additionally, it is a vegan-friendly option that can easily be incorporated into plant-based diets.
However, some grains such as wheat berry and barley are not gluten-free, and patients with celiac disease should be mindful of their consumption of the aforementioned ingredients.
Other FAQs about Salad that you may be interested in.
In this brief guide, we’ve explored the query: “Can you freeze 7 grain salad?” Also, we’ve explored how 7 grain salad can be frozen, what 7 grain salad is, what the nutritional content of 7 grain salad is, and is 7 grain salad healthy to eat?
References
http://summerfreshfoodservice.com/product/seven-grain-salad/
https://seedsofchange.com/recipes/seven-grain-salad-with-fresh-herbs-and-italian-vinaigrette
https://www.bobsredmill.com/blog/healthy-living/storing-cooked-grains-and-beans/
