Rye flakes are small sections of rye groats that have been cut, cooked, and rolled into a simple flake. In this form, they can be used for a number of different culinary uses, ranging from breakfast foods to sweets. While relatively inexpensive, the flakes are an excellent source of several essential vitamins and minerals.
The creation of rye flakes is a simple process. Rye groats are sliced into sections in preparation for cooking. The cooking process involves steaming each of the sections until they are tender. Once the sliced groats are tender and somewhat pliable, they are rolled, much in the same fashion that oats are rolled. The result is the conversion of the rye grain to the rye flake.
Once the flakes are prepared, they can be used in many different recipes. By adding water or milk, it is possible to make a hot and tasty porridge that is ideal for a cold morning. Several commercial brands of cold cereal also make use of them as part of the blend of ingredients. For homemade cereals, muesli usually contains at least some rye flakes.
However, rye flakes are not limited to morning consumption. Their taste and texture is very similar to rolled oats, albeit slightly sweeter. This makes it possible to substitute them for oats in just about any recipe. Cookies and pastries can also be prepared using the flakes.
One of the most common uses of rye flakes today is in bread dough. The dough may be mainly rye or be mixed in with wheat flour. The slight sweetness of the flakes helps to compliment the nutty flavor of the wheat, making the finished loaf a great choice for many different types of sandwiches.
While the taste of these flakes is one of the main reasons for their popularity, there is also the nutritional value to consider. The flakes contain an appreciable amount of various vitamins and minerals. Of particular note is the amount of potassium and several of the B vitamins in the grain. Two slices of rye bread created with the use of rye flakes can go a long way toward ensuring that the minimum daily requirement of nutrients is consumed.
