Whole grain recipes?

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NatureGrrl
NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367

Quinoa came up in another thread recently and that prompted me to start thinking outside of my usually whole grain recipes (mainly brown rice for me lately, but I've used others in the past, like quinoa, teff, millet, oats).  I like most whole grains so I'd be interested in anything.  So what are some of your favorite whole grain recipes?

To get things started:  My quinoa recipes are in storage 2000 miles away but I found one at eipcurious.com that is similar to something I used to make:  Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa.  I'll use olive oil instead of butter but otherwise this sounds like tonight's dinner.

Edited to add:

It was tonight's dinner, and it was wonderful.  I used about 1 part cooked black beans to 2 parts cooked quinoa, but I'd up that to 1 1/2 parts black beans.  I like to use onion raw whenever possible so I used a Bermuda onion, diced, and added it at the end. Also, I think cooked cilantro loses flavor so I also added that only to the cooled salad.  Olive oil instead of butter, no chili powder but plenty of cumin, no sugar, halved cherry tomatoes.  Yum.  Made enough for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.

Any other ideas?

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Comments

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited August 2010

    Well, I'll be darned, all these years and I never knew, but I guess because I never looked: quinoa technically isn't a grain because it's not from a grass plant (like wheat, rice, oats, etc all are).  It's the seeds of a plant in the genus Chenopodium in the Amaranth family, which are broad-leaf plants and not grasses, and is probably only of interest to a botany geek like me.  Sorry Undecided  Other plants in this family, to make it more familiar, are spinach, beets, and the weed lamb's quarters, which most Midwest gardeners know.  (Lamb's quarters is also a tasty green, but that's a geek-bite for another day.)

    OK, geek lesson over for today!  Bring on the recipes!

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited November 2010

    Hey NG:

    Wow, I was so sad to see that no one else posted recipes Frown

    (I've been off the boards for a while due to a few surgeries)

    I love quinoa, grain or not.Here's my recipe for Caribbean Quinoa. I typically put grain-meat sausage in there (did you ever try Field Roast brand?), but it would also be great without.

    http://pinkkitchen.info/2010/09/sausage-made-from-grains-who-knew/ 

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited November 2010

    I have a great recipe for almond flour cookies if you are looking for a sweet treat.  

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited November 2010

    Basia,

    I would love to have your recipe! Thanks for offering.

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited November 2010

    starfish, I know sometimes it takes times with posts like this to get responses, but yeah, I had hoped for more by now.  Anyway, thanks for your link!  It's on my list to try.   I haven't tried Field Roast -- now I will.

    And Basia, I'd love that recipe as well -- almond flour anything -- yum!

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited November 2010
    Ingredients:
    1 1/4 cup almond meal
    1 cup maple flakes
    1/4 cup butter, room temperature
    1 large egg
    1 tsp vanilla
    1/4 tsp baking sodaPre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir together almond meal, baking soda and maple flakes, then blend in the butter, egg, and vanilla. Refrigerate dough for half an hour. Spoon out one-inch balls onto a greased or non-stick cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake for eight minutes or until set. Be careful not to let your cookies brown, because that means they’re too well done. Allow them to cool for 2 minutes on the sheet before moving them.I can't find maple flakes so I substitute with maple syrup. For more recipes search marks daily apple.com, they have great natural recipes there.  
  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited August 2013

    Sounds yummy!!

    I have to run out later for a Dr. appointment.  May just swing by the store to get ingredients for these!

    Edited to add: I have never heard of maple flakes.  Guess I've learned my new thing for the day!

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited November 2010

    Yum, Basia!

    Will try it soon :)

  • handsamboy
    handsamboy Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2011
    CoolWitch rice and other refined grains, pastries , sugared, sodas , and other highly processed foods my contribute to weight gain ,interfere with weight loss, and promote diabetes and heart disease.Cool
  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited February 2011

    hands, if you read my original post, you know I specifically am looking for whole grain recipes, not refined grains.  Big difference.  Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet.

    I agree that refined foods are not especially good for us.  But as for the rest of your post, I really didn't understand the relevance to my request:  sugar is not a grain, nor are sodas and other highly processed foods.   Good luck with your future eating habits! 

    (edited to delete a part that on second reading sounded a bit snarkier than I intended!)

    edited again to note that hands' post was removed without any complaint from me -- a spammer, no doubt -- I should have known :) 

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited February 2011

    To get back to the topic, here's a breakfast rice pudding a friend posted on FB this week.  I tried it and it was so good I had it for dinner the night I made it! 

    I'm posting the original recipe with notes in italics about my changes.

    Breakfast Rice Pudding (from eHow.com)

    Ingredients:

    * 1/3 C maple syrup (I used half that)

    * 2 T butter

    * 1/4 t cinnamon

    * 1/4 t nutmeg

    *good pinch of ground ginger

    * 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped

    * 2 C milk

    * 2/3 C raisins (or combination of dried fruits) (I used golden raisins)

    * 2 C cooked brown rice

    1. You can use leftover rice for this recipe, or make a fresh batch.

    2. In a three quart saucepan, combine syrup, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and apples. Heat through until apples are somewhat tender.

    3. Add the rice, milk and raisins (or other dried fruits) to the saucepan. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. The mixture should be quite thick. (Note: I had to cook about 20-25 minutes to get it thick).

    4. Serve the pudding topped with toasted coconut, nuts, granola or grapenuts or other some other crunchy bits of your choice, if desired. Serve with a variety of fresh fruit. (I put a good dose of walnuts on top)

    Tips

    * If you want your apples to be quite tender, use MacIntosh. If you want them to keep their shape and be more firm, use Granny Smith.
    * You can also make this in the crock pot. Proceed through step one, then add everything to the crock and cook on low until the mixture is thick.
    * This makes a great take-along for a pot-luck breakfast. (I can attest to this).
    * Leftovers are just as good reheated in the microwave.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited February 2011

    NatureGrrl,

    I make a wild rice salad that I really enjoy.  Simple and very flavorful.

    I use this recipe but, they are many out there...http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/wild_rice_cranberry_pecan_salad/

    She calls for 1 cup of a brown and wild rice mix.  I was not able to find a mix so I just use 1/2 cup brown rice and 1/2 cup wild rice...

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited February 2011

    seaside, that sounds wonderful!  I haven't had wild rice in awhile but it's on my grocery list now.

    A distant cousin told me that leftover wild rice is great in scrambled eggs, omelets, etc., so I'll have to cook a bit extra to try that, too Smile

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited February 2011

    NatureGrrl,

    Have you ever tried something called farro?  I am eye'ing this recipe : http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/mediterranean-farro-salad-recipe/index.html

    Picture of Mediterranean Farro Salad Recipe

    But some of the comments have said that farro can be tough to find.  Was wondering if anyone had tried it before... 

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited February 2011

    Sorry, no, I haven't!  It sounds like a type of wheat... I'm guessing a lot of health food stores/Whole Foods/Trader Joe's might carry it, and I'm wondering if you could substitute wheat berries or cracked wheat if you can't find it.  I'm thinking even whole wheat couscous might work.  Sounds like a good recipe! But does Giada ever have a bad one? :)  Let me know if you try it and/or find and try the farro.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited February 2011

    I will look for it next time I'm out.  I think a couple of the reviews mentioned wheat berries might be a good substitute in a pinch!

    Ditto on Giada... My husband laughs because he say I'm the only one he knows who watches cooking shows while on the treadmill...lol

    Will let you know!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited February 2011

    NatureGrrl,

    I found the farro!!!

    I'm going to try that salad!!  Will let you know how it is!!!

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited February 2011

    Cool!  I look forward to hearing about it!

  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2011

    Our Costco carries farro. I didn't buy it though because I've never had it and didnt want to buy such a large package in case I didn't care for it. You'll have to tell us how you like it!

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited March 2011

    saturn, seaside posted on another thread ("what's for dinner") that she tried and liked the farro.  I know what you mean about not wanting to buy a lot of something new.  I'm hoping I can get it from the bulk bins at our health food store to try a little before I buy a lot!

  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2011

    I haven't seen it at any of the bulk aisles in Whole Foods or other healthy grocery stores, was quite surprised to see it at Costco.  Never heard of it before I saw it there, in fact.  I was pulling out my iPhone googling it in the aisle!  Don't you love technology?!

  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited March 2011

    Not a recipe, but there is a company in Winlock WA (Bluebird) that grows specialty wheats and makes things like pancake mix.  I use it for waffles.  Very high in protein, low in gluten.

    I add frozen berries to the mix.  The most yummy breakfast.  The wheat is called "Emmer Wheat".  If I make waffles from regular flour, I get energy crashes.  I don't with this mix.

    I am from Vermont originally, so of course have with good syrup on top.

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited March 2011

    Hey, Claire... oh, yeah, real maple syrup only, please!  My mom used to buy it by the case :)  Thanks for the info about that company, I'm going to check it out.

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Saturn,

    Yes...  I thought the Farro Salad came out really good!! I would describe Farro as being along the lines of a kind of a chewy barley but less chewy than wild rice!  My husband and I loved the farro even though he is not a fan of wild rice... 

  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2011

    Thanks Seaside - I'll have to try it! What recipe did you use?

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Saturn,

    It's a recipe of Giada's from the FoodNetwork.  Here's the link : : http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/mediterranean-farro-salad-recipe/index.html

    Enjoy!

  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2011
  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited March 2011

    I actually make bread with wheat bran, wheat germ, ground flax seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. I just eyeball everything, but if you're interested, next time I make it I'll stop and weigh everything I put in it and I'll write it down here.

    Does anyone like lentils? I have to say that I am in love with lentils. Even just plain boiled, with a little bit of olive oil, and it's a delicious dish for me. Also can make "hamburgers" from them or mix them with split peas for an even more delish dish. Wait, are lentils "grains"? I don't think they are. But they are very good for us and loaded with protein.

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited March 2011

    The bread sounds great, Day, I'd love to have an idea how to make it. 

    I love lentils, too, and although they're not a grain, there's never too many good ways to serve them. I used to have a lentil burger recipe I liked but somewhere down the road lost track of it, so if you don't mind sharing that, I'd love it, too.

  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2011

    Day - I second the notion, I love bread and would love the recipe.

    Hmm... lentils.  Never had them, wouldn't know what to do with one!  I guess I'll have to add that to my list.  I understand they are good for us.

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