Seed and grain mix: visual appeal and health

The crunchiness of seeds and grains can be accentuated by toasting, which can also enhance certain flavours. For bread-making, as a topping or as an inclusion, a generous mix is ideal. For example, for a healthy bread, we can create a delicious gourmet topping composed of brown flaxseed, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds and millet, sprinkled with oat flakes for their golden appearance after baking. In pastries, a mixture of seeds and grains or caramelised seed and grain bits will catch the eye and tantalise the taste buds, with sesame seeds and caramelised pumpkin seed bits, for instance, or a combination of caramelised sunflower seeds and poppy seeds. The same is true for the inclusion of a seed and grain mix in a frozen dessert as a substitute for the more usual nuts. For delicatessen products, the catering industry and ready meals, seed and grain mixes are often that extra touch that makes the dish stand out, both visually and in terms of taste. For verrines, salads and ready meals, vegetarian or otherwise, a mix of black sesame seeds, toasted sunflower seeds and chia seeds will enhance the dish from a nutritional, organoleptic and visual point of view.