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20 Recipes for Cooking with Whole Grains

Let grains like barley, quinoa, and farro make more frequent appearances in breakfast, lunch, and dinner with these great grain recipes.
<p>"Quinoa is a miracle food," says Bruce Sherman. Native to the Andes Mountains, the nutty, protein-rich grain is now also grown in the U.S. Sherman tosses it with smoky bacon and toasted almonds to make a substantial side dish that's delicious with poached eggs or roasted chicken.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/bacon-quinoa-almonds-herbs-recipe" target="_blank"><b>Bacon Quinoa with Almonds and Herbs</b></a></p>
Frances Janisch
Not sure what cracked Emmer is? That's okay. After you start making dishes from this collection of grain recipes, you will. Get used to having wholesome grains like barley, quinoa, and farro make more frequent appearances in breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is nutrition at its finest — and most satisfying.Want to know which grains you should eat? Find out with this list of grain facts.
1

Bacon Quinoa with Almonds and Herbs

<p>"Quinoa is a miracle food," says Bruce Sherman. Native to the Andes Mountains, the nutty, protein-rich grain is now also grown in the U.S. Sherman tosses it with smoky bacon and toasted almonds to make a substantial side dish that's delicious with poached eggs or roasted chicken.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/bacon-quinoa-almonds-herbs-recipe" target="_blank"><b>Bacon Quinoa with Almonds and Herbs</b></a></p>
Frances Janisch

"Quinoa is a miracle food," says Bruce Sherman. Native to the Andes Mountains, the nutty, protein-rich grain is now also grown in the U.S. Sherman tosses it with smoky bacon and toasted almonds to make a substantial side dish that's fantastic with poached eggs or roasted chicken.


Recipe: Bacon Quinoa with Almonds and Herbs
2

Warm Quinoa Salad with Carrots and Grilled Chicken

<p>Cat Cora's nutritious quinoa is quick to make. Adding chicken makes it a great meal-in-one.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/warm-quinoa-salad-carrots-grilled-chicken-recipe-fw0212"><b>Warm Quinoa Salad with Carrots and Grilled Chicken</b></a></p>
Constantine Poulos

Cat Cora's nutritious quinoa salad is a fast dish. Adding chicken makes it a great meal-in-one.


Recipe: Warm Quinoa Salad with Carrots and Grilled Chicken

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3

Farro Salad with Smoked Trout

<p>Filmmaker and chef Daniel Klein created this colorful smoked-fish and whole-grain salad after fishing for gray mullet for an episode of his web series, "The Perennial Plate." Instead of smoked mullet, the smoked trout here is easier to find and equally delicious. </p>
<p><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/farro-salad-smoked-trout-recipe-fw0212">Farro Salad with Smoked Trout</a></b></p>
Pernille Pedersen

Filmmaker and chef Daniel Klein created this colorful smoked-fish and whole-grain salad after fishing for gray mullet for an episode of his web series, "The Perennial Plate." Instead of smoked mullet, the smoked trout here is easier to find and equally delicious.


Recipe: Farro Salad with Smoked Trout

4

Cracked Emmer and Carrot Porridge

<p>Dan Barber is a big proponent of using whole grains, which are healthier and more delicious than the processed kinds. One of the grains he's most keen on is emmer wheat, also known as farro, which he uses in this savory, carrot-rich dish.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/cracked-emmer-carrot-porridge-recipe-fw0212%22 target="_blank"><strong>Cracked Emmer and Carrot Porridge</strong></a></p>
Constantine Poulos

Dan Barber is a big proponent of using whole grains, which are healthier and more delicious than the processed kinds. One of the grains he's most keen on is emmer wheat, also known as farro, which he uses in this savory, carrot-rich dish.


Recipe: Cracked Emmer and Carrot Porridge

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5

Whole-Grain Matzo

Whole-Grain Matzo
Antonis Achilleos

Cookbook author Marcy Goldman started baking matzo with her young sons after touring a temporary factory at a local synagogue that produced shmura matzo — the traditional, handmade variety. "As a baker and a Jewish mother, I thought, I can do that," she says. The whole-grain flours in this recipe create a more crackly, sandy texture than white-flour matzo.


Recipe: Whole-Grain Matzo

6

Three-Grain Cereal with Dates and Cinnamon

<p>Chef Quinn Hatfield cooks big batches of pearled barley and quinoa to keep in his refrigerator for this hot cereal, which comes together in minutes. He also uses the grains in salads. The mixture of cinnamon and chopped dates makes this breakfast nicely sweet — no extra sugar needed.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/three-grain-cereal-dates-cinnamon-recipe-fw0711%22%3E%3Cb%3EThree-Grain Cereal with Dates and Cinnamon</b></a></p>
David Malosh

Chef Quinn Hatfield cooks big batches of pearled barley and quinoa to keep in his refrigerator for this hot cereal, which comes together in minutes. He also uses the grains in salads. The mixture of cinnamon and chopped dates makes this breakfast nicely sweet — no extra sugar needed.


Recipe: Three-Grain Cereal with Dates and Cinnamon

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7

Apple Muesli with Goji Berries

<p>"You can make this with any grain or fruit that goes with yogurt," says Malin Elmlid. For her version of this cold cereal, she uses plain rolled grains, like oats or spelt, moistened with apples, coconut water, and yogurt. When a friend brought her a goji-berry tree to barter for bread, she added a few berries right from the branch.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="/recipefinder/apple-muesli-goji-berries-recipe-fw1111" target="_blank"><strong>Apple Muesli with Goji Berries</strong></a></p>
Ailine Liefeld

"You can make this with any grain or fruit that goes with yogurt," says Malin Elmlid. For her version of this cold cereal, she uses plain rolled grains, like oats or spelt, moistened with apples, coconut water, and yogurt. When a friend brought her a goji-berry tree to barter for bread, she added a few berries right from the branch.


Recipe: Apple Muesli with Goji Berries

8

Barley and Grilled-Vegetable Salad

Barley and Grilled Vegetable Salad
Con Poulos

After you have grilled up Vegetables with Walnut Dressing, pair with pearled barley and Pecorino cheese for a lively summer grain salad.


Recipe: Barley and Grilled-Vegetable Salad

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9

Squash Stuffed with Quinoa and Wild Mushrooms

<p>"I love how out of control the vegetarian culture is in this city," says chef Kevin Kathman of Minneapolis's Barbette. To satisfy those diners, he stuffs maple-glazed roasted squash with quinoa and sautéed wild mushrooms. For a more substantial dish, serve it with roasted root vegetables brushed with the same glaze.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/squash-stuffed-quinoa-wild-mushrooms-recipe-fw1111%22 target="_blank"><b>Squash Stuffed with Quinoa and Wild Mushrooms</b></a></p>
Con Poulos

"I love how out of control the vegetarian culture is in this city," says chef Kevin Kathman of Minneapolis's Barbette. To satisfy those diners, he stuffs maple-glazed roasted squash with quinoa and sautéed wild mushrooms. For a more substantial dish, serve it with roasted root vegetables brushed with the same glaze.


Recipe: Squash Stuffed with Quinoa and Wild Mushrooms

10

Whole-Grain Stuffing with Apples, Sausage, and Pecans

<p>Spicy chorizo sausage and sweet bell peppers give this stuffing a rich, well-balanced flavor.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="/recipefinder/whole-grain-stuffing-apples-sausage-pecans-recipe" target="_blank"><strong>Whole-Grain Stuffing with Apples, Sausage, and Pecans</strong></a></p>
Frances Janisch

After tossing the ingredients and spreading them in a pan, Melissa Rubel Jacobson chills the stuffing for at least an hour before baking. This ensures that the bread soaks up the liquid — key to a stuffing that's crisp on top and moist within.


Recipe: Whole-Grain Stuffing with Apples, Sausage, and Pecans

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11

Quinoa Salad with Grilled Scallions, Favas, and Dates

<p>This salad of grilled spring vegetables feels just filling enough, thanks to the protein-rich quinoa and a puree of dates that are grilled first to soften them and intensify their natural sweetness.</p><p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinderquinoa-salad-grilled-scallions-favas-dates-recipe-fw0611%22 target="_blank"><b>Quinoa Salad with Grilled Scallions, Favas, and Dates</b></a></p>
Courtesy of Food and Wine

This salad of grilled spring vegetables feels just filling enough, thanks to the protein-rich quinoa and a puree of dates that are grilled first to soften them and intensify their natural sweetness.


Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Grilled Scallions, Favas, and Dates

12

Pearled Barley Salad with Apples, Pomegranate Seeds, and Pine Nuts

<p>Use <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/thyme-scented-pearled-barley-recipe%22 target="_blank">Thyme-Scented Pearled Barley</a> in this tasty side dish. The salad (without the pine nuts) can be refrigerated overnight. Bring the salad to room temperature before serving.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/pearled-barley-salad-apples-pomegranate-seeds-pine-nuts-recipe%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EPearled Barley Salad with Apples, Pomegranate Seeds and Pine Nuts</strong></a></p>
Tina Rupp

The nuttiness of the pearled barley and pine nuts contrasts with the sweet apples and pomegranate seeds in this tasty side dish.


Recipe: Pearled Barley Salad with Apples, Pomegranate Seeds, and Pine Nuts

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13

Santa Fe Quinoa Salad

At <a href="http://www.labento.com/" target="_blank">L.A. Bento</a> in Los Angeles, chef Chad Aaland makes quinoa salad with three types of beans and house-pickled onions. This streamlined version with black beans and jarred cocktail onions is just as tasty.<br /><br /><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/santa-fe-quinoa-salad-recipe-fw0510" target="_blank"><b>Santa Fe Quinoa Salad</b></a>
Stephanie Foley

At L.A. Bento in Los Angeles, chef Chad Aaland makes quinoa salad with three types of beans and house-pickled onions. This streamlined version with black beans and jarred cocktail onions works, too.


Recipe: Santa Fe Quinoa Salad

14

Sweet Breakfast Quinoa

<p>Quinoa is naturally loaded with protein and fiber. This filling, nutrient-packed grain is most often used for savory dishes, but it can also be turned into a healthy and unexpected breakfast.</p>

<p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/sweet-breakfast-quinoa-recipe-fw0211%22 target="_blank"><b>Sweet Breakfast Quinoa</b></a></p>
Courtesy of Food and Wine

Quinoa is naturally loaded with protein and fiber. This filling, nutrient-packed grain is most often used for savory dishes, but it can also be turned into a healthy and unexpected creative breakfast.


Recipe: Sweet Breakfast Quinoa

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15

Brazilian Black Rice

<p>This dish from Uxua hotel chef Aladim Alves traces its roots to the 1970s, when the beaches of Trancoso, Brazil, were a favorite hippie destination. It combines richly flavored Bahian seafood with healthy whole-grain black rice.</p><p><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/brazilian-black-rice-recipe-fw0810%22 target="_blank"><b>Brazilian Black Rice</b></a></p>
John Kernick

This dish from Uxua hotel chef Aladim Alves traces its roots to the 1970s, when the beaches of Trancoso, Brazil, were a favorite hippie destination. It combines richly flavored Bahian seafood with healthy whole-grain black rice.


Recipe: Brazilian Black Rice

16

Spelt Focaccia with Kale, Squash, and Pecorino

Paul Kahan serves dishes like spicy pork rinds at his Chicago restaurant, <a href="http://thepublicanrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">The Publican</a>, but he was game to create a healthy alternative. His idea: a focaccia made with spelt flour, which is high in protein and gives the bread an appealingly hearty texture. Instead of using an excessive amount of cheese or meat, he tops the focaccia with tangy marinated kale, soft and sweet slices of winter squash, and a few shavings of nutty, salty pecorino cheese.<br /><br /><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/spelt-focaccia-kale-squash-pecorino-recipe" target="_blank">Spelt Focaccia with Kale, Squash, and Pecorino</a></b>
John Kernick
Paul Kahan serves dishes like spicy pork rinds at his Chicago restaurant, The Publican, but he was game to create a healthy alternative. His idea: a focaccia made with spelt flour, which is high in protein and gives the bread an appealingly hearty texture. Instead of using an excessive amount of cheese or meat, he tops the focaccia with tangy marinated kale, soft and sweet slices of winter squash, and a few shavings of nutty, salty pecorino cheese.

Recipe: Spelt Focaccia with Kale, Squash, and Pecorino
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17

Roasted Delicata Squash with Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is definitely a superfood: A grainlike seed, it's a "complete" protein containing all eight essential amino acids (another plus: it cooks much more quickly than most grains). To create a terrific vegetarian main course, <a href="/cooking-shows/celebrity-chefs/celeb-chef-michael-symon" target="_blank">chef Michael Symon</a> of Cleveland's <a href="http://www.lolabistro.com/" target="_blank">Lola</a> tosses quinoa with arugula, apple, raisins, and fresh herbs, then spoons the salad into a halved baked squash (a great source of iron and vitamins A and C).<br /><br /><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/roasted-delicata-squash-quinoa-salad-recipe" target="_blank">Roasted Delicata Squash with Quinoa Salad</a></b>
John Kernick
Quinoa is definitely a superfood: A grainlike seed, it's a "complete" protein containing all eight essential amino acids (another plus: it cooks much more quickly than most grains). To create a terrific vegetarian main course, chef Michael Symon of Cleveland's Lola tosses quinoa with arugula, apple, raisins, and fresh herbs, then spoons the salad into a halved baked squash (a great source of iron and vitamins A and C).

Recipe: Roasted Delicata Squash with Quinoa Salad
18

Buckwheat-Cheddar Blini with Smoked Salmon

As a nod to their Norwegian heritage, celebrity chef and model Sophie Dahl and her family ate blini (mini pancakes) topped with smoked salmon every Christmas Eve. Now Dahl makes the blini with wonderfully earthy buckwheat flour and serves the salmon-topped hors d'oeuvres at parties throughout the year.<br /><br /><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/buckwheat-cheddar-blini-smoked-salmon-recipe" target="_blank">Buckwheat-Cheddar Blini with Smoked Salmon</a></b>
Jan Baldwin
As a nod to their Norwegian heritage, celebrity chef and model Sophie Dahl and her family ate blini (mini pancakes) topped with smoked salmon every Christmas Eve. Now Dahl makes the blini with wonderfully earthy buckwheat flour and serves the salmon-topped hors d'oeuvres at parties throughout the year.

Recipe: Buckwheat-Cheddar Blini with Smoked Salmon
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19

Barley Salad with Parsley and Walnuts

Barley is versatile enough to be served warm or at room temperature, as in this terrific salad with walnuts, parsley, and salty bits of ricotta salata cheese in a lemon-garlic vinaigrette. It can be served as a main course or as a side for grilled chicken or pork.<br /><br /><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/barley-salad-parsley-walnuts-recipe" target="_blank">Barley Salad with Parsley and Walnuts</a></b>
Kana Okada
Barley is versatile enough to be served warm or at room temperature, as in this terrific salad with walnuts, parsley, and salty bits of ricotta salata cheese in a lemon-garlic vinaigrette. It can be served as a main course or as a side for grilled chicken or pork.

Recipe: Barley Salad with Parsley and Walnuts
20

Bulgur Salad with Lightly Roasted Vegetables

"I love to make this salad with my son," says Istanbul's star chef, Mehmet Gürs. "It's so easy, and it can get quite messy, which is fun for a four-year-old." The healthy cracked-wheat salad contains diced, just-tender roasted carrot, red onion and bell pepper, and little pieces of cucumber. Gürs also stirs in tomato paste, which adds richness and sweetness.<br /><br /><b>Recipe: <a href="/recipefinder/bulgur-salad-lightly-roasted-vegetables-recipe" target="_blank">Bulgur Salad with Lightly Roasted Vegetables</a></b>
Marie Hennechart
"I love to make this salad with my son," says Istanbul's star chef, Mehmet Gürs. "It's so easy, and it can get quite messy, which is fun for a four-year-old." The healthy cracked-wheat salad contains diced, just-tender roasted carrot, red onion and bell pepper, and little pieces of cucumber. Gürs also stirs in tomato paste, which adds richness and sweetness.

Recipe: Bulgur Salad with Lightly Roasted Vegetables
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