Flaxseed Gruel
A soothing and restorative traditional beverage prepared by simmering coarsely crushed flaxseeds to extract their natural essence. This historical remedy blends the earthy, nutty flavor of flax with fresh milk and a hint of sweetness, finished with a warming touch of freshly grated nutmeg. Revered in traditional medicine for its wellness properties, it makes for a comforting, warm drink perfect for relaxation.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Flaxseeds (Alsi) (Originally 'half tola' (approx 6g). Scaled slightly for a standard single serving.)
- 1 1/2 cups Water (Originally '1.5 pasher'. Used for boiling and reduction.)
- 1/2 cup Whole milk (Originally '0.5 pasher'. Use fresh milk.)
- 2 teaspoons Sugar (Or to taste. Originally '1 heaping spoon'.)
- 1 pinch Nutmeg (Freshly grated.)
Instructions
- 1Clean the flaxseeds thoroughly and wipe them with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Coarsely crush the seeds using a mortar and pestle so that no whole seeds remain, but do not grind them into a fine powder.
- 2Place the crushed flaxseeds in a saucepan with the water. Bring to a simmer over low heat, leaving the pot uncovered. Stir occasionally with a large spoon, mashing the seeds against the side of the pot to extract their essence. Simmer until the liquid reduces by about two-thirds (leaving slightly more than 1/2 cup of liquid).
- 3Remove from heat and strain the liquid (kanji) through a fine mesh sieve or tea strainer into a clean bowl. Use a spoon to press and rub the flaxseed residue in the strainer to extract all the liquid and mucilage, then discard the husks.
- 4Pour the strained liquid back into a clean saucepan. Add the fresh milk and sugar. Return to the stove and bring to a boil, uncovered. Let it bubble up twice (two boils), then remove from heat. Grate a little fresh nutmeg on top, mix well, and serve warm in a cup.