Top 5 Ancient Grain Recipes for Modern Palates

Ancient grains have been making a comeback in recent years, and for good reason. These grains are packed with nutrients, and they add a wonderful variety to our modern diets. Plus, they're incredibly versatile, making them perfect for a range of dishes. Today, we're going to explore the top 5 ancient grain recipes that are perfect for modern palates, with tips on how to prepare and cook them.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is a staple in many health-focused diets. It's high in protein, gluten-free, and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here's a simple, nutritious quinoa salad recipe that can be a meal in itself or a side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of quinoa
• 2 cups of water
• A pinch of salt
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for the dressing

Instructions:

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pan, bring the quinoa, water, and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed. Let it cool.
3. In a large bowl, mix the cooked quinoa, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese.
4. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and lemon juice, then season it with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until well combined.

Amaranth Porridge

Amaranth is another ancient grain that's gluten-free and rich in protein. Here's a simple amaranth porridge recipe that's perfect for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of amaranth
• 3 cups of water
• A pinch of salt
• Honey or maple syrup for sweetness
• Fresh fruits and nuts for topping

Instructions:

1. Rinse the amaranth under cold water.
2. In a pan, bring the amaranth, water, and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the amaranth is cooked and the mixture thickens into a porridge.
3. Sweeten the porridge with honey or maple syrup, then top it with fresh fruits and nuts.

Farro Risotto

Farro is an ancient grain that's high in fiber and protein. Here's a delicious farro risotto recipe that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of farro
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Rinse the farro under cold water.
2. In a pan, heat some olive oil, then sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent.
3. Add the farro to the pan and stir until it's well coated with the oil.
4. Gradually add the vegetable broth, stirring frequently, until the farro is cooked and creamy.
5. Stir in the mushrooms and cook until they're soft. Then, stir in the Parmesan cheese and season the risotto with salt and pepper.

Spelt Pancakes

Spelt is an ancient grain that's high in protein and fiber. Here's a simple spelt pancake recipe that's perfect for a weekend breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of spelt flour
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Butter for cooking

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the spelt flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, whisk the milk and egg together.
3. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a batter forms.
4. Heat a pan and melt some butter. Pour some batter into the pan and cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip the pancake and cook the other side.

Kamut Pasta

Kamut is an ancient grain that's high in protein and fiber. Here's a simple kamut pasta recipe that's quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• Kamut pasta
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Basil leaves
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the kamut pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a pan, heat some olive oil, then sauté the garlic until it's fragrant.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes to the pan and cook until they're soft.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss until it's well coated with the oil and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve the pasta with basil leaves and Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy these delicious and nutritious ancient grain recipes, and don't be afraid to experiment with other ancient grains and dishes.