Grains

There are lots of grains I like but I limit them to the ones I enjoy the most and provide the most nutrition.

Quinoa

This is a super grain from the Andes in South America. It can be used in many ways as a rice substitute in dinners and as a breakfast cereal as well. This grain has one of the highest protein contents of all grains. It starts as dried balls of quinoa that when cooked, turn into little O-rings. It has an unusual consistency and is much softer in the mouth than rice.They always tell you to rinse it carefully, but I'm not so careful with it and I have never had a problem. When I cook it, I cook about 2-3 cups at a time. I use some for dinner and some for breakfast and sometimes even for a snack.

Here are some ideas that I've tried:

Quinoa with butternut squash, dried cranberries, sauteed onions, and pepitas
https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/quinoa-salad-with-butternut-squash-dried-cranberries-pepitas/

Quinoa bark with dark chocolate
https://www.simplysissom.com/superfooddarkchocolatequinoabark/

Quinoa with black beans and mango salsa
Quinoa in any soup
Quinoa tabbouleh
Quinoa with cream or coconut milk

Rice

Short grain rice - this is the rice used in risotto which I don't make often

Sticky rice - this rice has gluten in it, but it's not like the gluten found in wheat. It shouldn't bother someone with gluten sensitivity. It sticks together nicely so it's useful it you're going to make alternative meatballs that need to stick together, or Japanese Kiritampo which is rice formed over a skewer and slowly roasted. I love that nutty flavor. I could eat Kiritampo all day.

Japanese Kiritampo
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/miso-glazed-grilled-rice-sticks-miso-kiritanpo

White basmati rice - I love this rice for tahdig - a wonderful toasted rice from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. I add nuts often to add fiber to this rice.

Tahdig
https://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/2010/01/the-art-of-making-persian-tah-dig.html?m=1

Brown basmati rice - I use this as a general side or in rice pudding. I also grind it and use it in cream of rice pudding.

Oatmeal

I like rolled oats because I can do many things with it. I can grind it into oat flour which I can add to recipes or the meatballs I make for my dog. I use it for a quick healthy breakfast topped with my bananas sauteed in coconut oil, and in some healthy oatmeal bars with chocolate.


Healthy Oatmeal Bars
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/healthy-dark-chocolate-chunk-oatmeal-cookie-bars-idiot-proof/