How to Cook Grains

Considering trying something other than wheat as your flour or pasta? Here’s some much needed info to get your next batch of non-wheat dinner side just right.

Directions are for 1 cup of raw grain.  Vegetable, chicken or beef broth can be used as the liquid instead of water.

Barley, pearl

3 cups grain, 3 cups water

Bring water to a boil.  Add barley, stir and cover.  Cook over low heat until water is absorbed and grain is tender, about 45 min.

Buckwheat groats, or kasha (roasted buckwheat)

1 ½ cups grain, 3 cups water

Bring liquid to a boil.  Add groats, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 8 min. Remove from heat and let stand 5 min.

Bulgur

(Cracked wheat made from berries that are steamed, then dried before cracking)

1 ½ cups grain, 2 ½ cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add bulgur, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 10 min. Remove from heat and let stand 10 min.

Couscous

1 cup grain, 2 ¾ cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add couscous, stir and cover. Remove from heat and let stand 10 min. Fluff with a fork.

Millet

2 cups grain, 3 ½ cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add millet, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 10 min. Remove from heat and let stand 10 min.

Oats, rolled

2 ½ cups grain, 2 cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add oats while stirring. Simmer uncovered for 10 min.

Quinoa

1 ½ cups grain,  2 ½ cups water

Rinse Quinoa well. Bring liquid to a boil.  Add Quinoa, stir and cover.  Cook over low heat 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and let stand 5 min.

Rice, brown

2 cups grain, 3 cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add rice, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 45 min. Remove from heat and let stand 5 min.

Rice, long-grain white

1 ½ cups grain, 3 cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add rice, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 18 min. Remove from heat and let stand 5 min.

Rice, short-grain

1 ½ cups grain, 2 ¾ cups water

Rinse rice in a sieve until water runs clear. Drain. Bring liquid to a boil. Add rice, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 25 min. Remove from heat and let stand 5 min.

Rice, wild

2 ½ cups grain, 3 cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add rice, stir and cover. Cook over low heat 1 hour.

Wheat, cracked

1 ½ cups grain, 2 cups water

Bring liquid to a boil. Add wheat, stir and cover. Cook over low heat for 15 min, then remove from heat and let stand 10 min. Fluff with fork.

Resource: Dr Dean Ornish. Everyday Cooking with Dr Dean Ornish.