Semolina and semolina porridge

Many people associate  semolina  with nothing but unpleasant childhood memories of lying in bed with a  cold  and being forced  to spoon up slimy semolina porridge  . However, this does an injustice to semolina – it is not only a very versatile food, but also healthy. Basically, semolina is nothing but tiny pieces of grain that result from grinding.

types of semolina

Depending on which grain is used, a distinction is made between: 

• Soft wheat semolina,  with which the typical semolina pudding, but also semolina dumplings, semolina dumplings and various desserts are prepared
• Durum wheat semolina  suitable for  bulgur  or pasta dough
• Maize grits   used to make  polenta

Semolina is divided into  three grades depending on how heavily it has been ground  : coarse semolina, medium semolina and fine semolina.

Semolina: production and processing

In the conventional production of semolina, the grain is first carefully cleaned. To do this, coarse impurities and damaged grains are first removed. A scouring machine then removes stubborn dirt. Then the grains are ground with large rollers. With several passes, the rollers are set tighter each time, so that the grains are first ground very coarsely and then finer and finer. After each grinding process, the semolina is sieved out so that flour and fine dust particles can be sorted out.

The production of organic semolina, which is available in health food stores, is gentler. In contrast to conventional semolina, parts of the shell and germ remain. This does not make the natural food semolina a whole grain product, but it is much more valuable and healthier than commercially available semolina. In comparison, it contains a multiple of minerals, vitamins and fiber.

Semolina Recipes

Although there are many different varieties of the grain product, soft wheat semolina is what is usually understood as semolina. A large number of tasty dishes can be prepared from it, which is why there are also a wide variety of semolina recipes. In addition to the classic semolina porridge, semolina fans also rely on semolina pudding, semolina dumplings or semolina soup.

There should also be a semolina diet. Semolina pudding is not only tasty for babies, but also represents a healthy alternative to hearty desserts or sweets for adults. Properly prepared and skilfully refined, real semolina pudding has nothing in common with the slimy soup that many children had to choke down. Here is a classic semolina porridge recipe for two people to make yourself.

Semolina Recipe

Ingredients for a recipe with semolina porridge. Healthy and tasty:

• 70 grams of soft wheat semolina
• ½ liter  of milk
• 1 EL Butter
• 1  No
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 packet of vanilla sugar
• 1 pinch  of salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon

First, heat the milk with a pinch of salt. Meanwhile, separate the egg and beat the  egg white  until fluffy. As soon as the milk is boiling, remove the pan from the heat and add the semolina, stirring constantly. Then stir in the sugar with the whisk. Now the semolina pudding has to rest for about three minutes to swell.

When the mash is thick and creamy, stir in the egg yolk first, then the butter. Finally, carefully fold in the beaten egg whites, divide the porridge onto two plates and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve with fresh or pickled fruit.

If you like, you can mix the semolina porridge without milk and use water instead. But then you should at least add a dash of cream, because the semolina pudding tastes bland without any fat.