How do you pop amaranth grain?

[Nora]

I'm growing some for the first time this summer, and want to know the details of popping amaranth seeds, as I see this mentioned often. What kind of container? How much heat? Can it be popped without some kind of oil? How do you know when it's started popping & when it's done? Is it popped or unpopped amaranth that is used for flour? I can practice on store-bought till I grow my own.

[jay]

http://www.koanga.co.nz/pages/amaranthaceae.html
Popped: Heat an ungreased steel wok or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Pour in 2 tablespoons of amaranth seeds, and keep them moving with a brush or spoon to prevent burning. As soon as the popping stops, empty the pan. If seeds don’t pop well, sprinkle them lightly with water and try again later when they’ve had time to absorb the moisture. If the seeds burn before popping, it probably means the work isn’t hot enough. They should begin popping about 3 seconds after touching the wok.

http://www.wpt.org/garden/about/template.cfm?program_seg=URL1004
The easiest way to pop amaranth seeds is with an air popper. Otherwise pop in small amounts (about 1/4 cup at a time) in a wok or large saucepan over high heat. Stir constantly until most of the grains have popped and those that do not pop are a shade or two darker.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/recipes.nsf/recipes/D43711DCA1A50B6586256CBD000E900B
Pop amaranth by placing in a very hot skillet 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly for about 15 seconds until seeds pop. After they pop, transfer to a shallow bowl and add the next tablespoon of amaranth to the skillet. (You should have about 2 cups of popped grain.)

http://www.farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/48-6script_en.asp
…some countries, amaranth is made into sweets. You can also add amaranth seeds to soups or grind them to powder for drinks. If you heat amaranth seeds in a little oil, they will "pop" into a nutty-tasting, nutritious snack.

[Doc]

Do you actually mean using a popcorn air poper?
If so, what are the procedures/amounts? Interesting indeed.

Amaranth and Quinoa are great added to soups as a general addition; sometimes I can tell early enough that I need something to thicken up the soup so I add one or the other and in the cooking it will absorb some of the fluids while being an additional nutrient.

[bluelacedredhead]

I found this from way back when iDig was new!! Something new to munch on when sitting in front of the tube on Saturday night!!

[GreenCap]

Hey BLRH, I am sure glad you found it, I am growing amaranth this year, I always sit down with the intention of looking way back in the threads but something always catches my attention and I don't get very far, so much info here....:) ....by the way, the seed raffle was a great idea! :D