Whole-Grain Recipes With Barley, Quinoa, and Millet

Eat this light dish as a healthy lunch, a hearty side or pair it with a side salad or broiled veggies for a nutritious, light dinner. Yield: 4 servings.

Ingredients

1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cold-pressed olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 oranges, peeled
1/4 cup toasted, slivered almonds (with skin if possible)
2-1/2 cups cooked quinoa, cold or room temperature
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Whisk together lemon juice, oil, tarragon, and parsley in a serving bowl large enough to hold all the ingredients.

2. Section the oranges and cut each section into thirds. Stir the oranges and any juices into the bowl.

3. Add the remaining ingredients, and mix well.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Swiss Barley Risotto

The nutritional powerhouse barley takes the place of traditional arborio rice in this cheesy risotto. Yield: 2 servings as a main dish.

Ingredients

1 medium onion
2 tbsp butter
1 bunch organic Swiss chard
1 cup water
1 cup pearl barley
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
3 cups mushroom or vegetable broth, divided
3 oz Gruyere (or other Swiss cheese), grated
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Mince onion and toss with butter in a large frying pan over medium heat, stirring regularly until translucent (about 5 minutes). In the meantime, wash chard, remove thick ends of stems, roll leaves like a cigar, and slice thinly.

2. Add chard to pan and toss until wilted (about 2 minutes). Add a cup of water, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 4 minutes.

3. Set a strainer over a medium bowl and strain cooked onion and chard, collecting pot liquor. Press veggies with a spoon to release liquid, and set liquid aside.

4. Process chard and onion in a food processor until smooth and set aside.

5. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat and toss in barley, stirring to coat. Continue to stir for about 5 minutes, until barley begins to toast. Add wine and stir until liquid is absorbed. Add green liquid from chard and 2 cups of broth. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and stir every 5 to 6 minutes for about 45 minutes, adding broth whenever mixture thickens.

6. When barley is cooked (it should be soft but chewy), add pureed vegetables and cheese, stirring until well-blended. Season to taste.

Looking for more recipes with barley? Get some more details on cooking a barley risotto in my other article.

Millet “Meat” Balls

Sate your comfort food cravings with these Millet “Meat” Balls, courtesy of Bob’s Red Mill. Yield: about 30 “meat” balls.

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups cannellini beans (cooked or from can)
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons basil
1/2 cup water
1-1/2 cups cooked hulled millet
3/4 cup plus 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In blender or food processor, puree cannellini beans, onion, garlic, basil and water. Combine with cooked millet (see note), 3/4 cup bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and salt. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Lightly spray cookie sheet. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls and roll in remaining bread crumbs. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve with marinara if desired. Makes approximately 30 “meat” balls.

NOTE: To cook millet, bring 2 cups water to boil. Add 1/2 cup Hulled Millet and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until tender.

Recipe courtesy Bob’s Red Mill, contributed by Cassidy Stockton, courtesy Grit magazine.

If you like millet, you’ll love this Sunshine Millet Porridge with Apricots and Carrots Recipe.