Once upon a time it was almost a tradition to sit on a bench, click seeds and gossip. So called the discussion of all the news. Gradually, the gatherings are a thing of the past, replacing communication with a new type of hobby - a computer. But what remains unshakable is the fried sunflower seeds, which can be husked near laptops and televisions.
Someone is buying ready-made fried sunflower seeds, packaged in colorful packaging. But there are those who are not looking for easy ways. They buy raw seeds on the market, and then fry them, using all available means for this: a stove, an oven and even a microwave.
If you decide to fry the seeds yourself, you should know not only how to do it correctly, but also how to choose them for this sacred rite.
How to choose the right seeds
Seeds cannot be damp. From this they grow moldy and spoil. But the sun is also contraindicated for them, because due to the large amount of oil, which the seeds are so rich, they become rancid and, therefore, inedible.
Therefore, buy seeds where they are not under the open sky and in a damp room. But this is not the fact that the seeds will be good. After all, it is not yet known in what conditions they were kept until the moment when they got to the counter or bag. So do not rely on the assurances of the seller that his seeds are the best-most ...
Take a handful of sunflower seeds, smell it. This simple movement can tell a lot about the product. If an unpleasant, musty smell emanates from them, then further research on this can be completed. If the smell does not cause suspicion, carefully consider the seeds. They must be all the same size and grade. If the batch consists of small, medium, large, then it is possible that the seeds that were harvested at different times were mixed: fresh and already stale in the warehouse.
Feel the seeds. They should be potuzatenky, dense. It should not be empty or with a small, underdeveloped kernel.
Gnaw a few seeds. The kernels must be free of foreign taste and smell, without wormholes, as with improper storage the seeds are susceptible to the invasion of moths and other insects.
If the quality is OK, feel free to buy them and hurry to the kitchen - fry.
How to prepare the seeds for roasting
Most often, sunflower seeds are fried in a frying pan, but many use a more modern means for this purpose - a microwave.
However, it should be borne in mind that microwaves bring seeds to condition in literally 2-3 minutes. Well, a maximum of five! Therefore, if you fry the seeds for the first time in this way, you should start with the minimum time spent on it, because the quality and speed of roasting depends not so much on the seeds themselves as on the power of your microwave oven, on the presence of convection and other innovations in it.
But first you need to wash the seeds. No need to rely on the fact that high temperature will kill all germs. Dirt, dust and other impurities in them will remain. And significantly spoil the taste.
Pour a small portion of the seeds into a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water. It is impossible to wash them in a bowl for the simple reason that they float up and can easily float into the hole in the sink. Then leave the seeds in a colander for a few minutes to glass the main part of the water. The rest of the water is dry when you put the seeds on a cloth or paper towel.
Prepare dishes for frying seeds. It should be a flat plate with low sides or a dish that can be put in a microwave. On the dishes should not be any gold jewelry and metal parts.
Spread the seeds on it in an even layer. But you should take into account that a small amount of seeds will simply burn, and a large amount will not fry evenly. Choose a middle ground.
How to fry the seeds in the microwave
Method 1st
- Set the microwave to high power. Put the plate in the oven, close the door, turn on for one minute.
- Then mix the seeds. Turn the microwave back on for one minute, reducing the power by half. Stir again. Try the seeds to taste, because in appearance you do not define anything. The fact is that if in a pan the seeds begin to roast outside, then in the microwave this process starts from the inside.
- If they are not sufficiently fried, repeat the minute cooking process 1-2 more times.
Method 2nd
- Spread the prepared seeds in a thin layer on a plate, send in a microwave, setting the average power in it. Roast 3 minutes. While the seeds are wet, they will not burn.
- Then mix them well. Continue to roasting for two minutes. Taste them. If they are not sufficiently roasted, put them in the oven for another minute.
- Put the seeds on a flat dish, covered with a towel. Cover with a cloth napkin. Leave for 20 minutes. Thanks to their own heat, they will reach full readiness.
How to fry seeds with salt
- Pour the seeds into a colander and wash well. Leave it until it drains.
- Put in a bowl, add some fine salt, sprinkle with sunflower oil and mix well. Thanks to the oil, the salt will stick to the seeds, rather than crumbling to the bottom of the plate.
- Put the container with the seeds in the microwave. Fry in several steps. First, roast the seeds at high power for 1 minute. Then mix well and put in the oven again.
- In a minute, try the seeds. If they are ready, turn off the microwave, but leave the plate with the seeds inside.
- After about 5-10 minutes, remove the seeds, put them on a towel and cool them with a cloth.
Mistress to note
The roasting time of seeds in your microwave may differ from that indicated in these recommendations. It all depends on the power of the oven, so the first time very carefully follow the process so that the seeds are not burnt.
