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Grains what to have with them

(25 Posts)
tanith Wed 02-Aug-23 12:34:07

I'm trying to eat more grains but i struggle with what to have with them apart from chicken and fish. I'm cutting out most beef too. I'm sure there are loads of other things but I've run out of ideas.

Sardinia2020 Wed 02-Aug-23 12:45:30

Field mushrooms with pesto and a topping of breadcrumbs and cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and into the oven for about 20 mins

foxie48 Wed 02-Aug-23 13:39:54

I use all sorts of grains and apart from using them instead of rice, cous cous or pasta in any dish I also tip them into roasted veg or add them to any salad with a lovely home made dressing using yoghurt, tahini or a whipped feta as the base for lots of herbs or spices.

Redhead56 Wed 02-Aug-23 14:12:48

I buy bags of mixed grains and basically put them in most meals I make. I don't serve them as side dish or on there own I just mix them in. If I make pastry or bread I add them into the mix too. They add texture and flavour and essential oils.

Norah Wed 02-Aug-23 14:26:23

We eat bread at every meal - that being made of a grains. Rices, pastas including orzo, farro/barley, quinoa, polenta, couscous, bulgar, oats (quote: "Grain is the harvested seed of grasses such as wheat, oats, rice, and corn. Other important grains include sorghum, millet, rye, and barley. Around the globe, grains, also called cereals, are the most important staple food. Humans get an average of 48 percent of their calories, or food energy, from grains").

Side dishes with animal protein
Side dishes with Veg and or veg protein
In/under currys, stews, soups, stirfrys
In salads with nice dressings

tanith Thu 03-Aug-23 07:28:40

Thank you all lots of ideas for me to try.

Sago Thu 03-Aug-23 09:23:00

Bulgar wheat makes excellent risotto instead of arborio rice, tabbouleh is delicious instead of a regular green salad.

travelsafar Thu 03-Aug-23 10:43:32

I have a sachet of French inspired lentils from Aldi. Bought them as they looked interesting but no idea what to do with them.!! Could I have them with poached eggs and roasted tomatoes??

Baggs Thu 03-Aug-23 10:53:19

travelsafar

I have a sachet of French inspired lentils from Aldi. Bought them as they looked interesting but no idea what to do with them.!! Could I have them with poached eggs and roasted tomatoes??

Yes.

Norah Thu 03-Aug-23 12:06:47

travelsafar

I have a sachet of French inspired lentils from Aldi. Bought them as they looked interesting but no idea what to do with them.!! Could I have them with poached eggs and roasted tomatoes??

Yes. Or cook into a soup. Or, if you eat mince, lentil can be used to extend mince in casseroles/ other dishes.

Norah Thu 03-Aug-23 12:09:39

travelsafar

I have a sachet of French inspired lentils from Aldi. Bought them as they looked interesting but no idea what to do with them.!! Could I have them with poached eggs and roasted tomatoes??

To clarify, lentils are a protein source, not a grain. But well cooked lentils, flavoured nicely should suit poached eggs, I'd think.

NotSpaghetti Thu 03-Aug-23 12:26:46

tanith - do you mean more as in quantity (eg instead of potatoes) or as in "sorts" of grains eg, maize, rye, barley?

Caleo Thu 03-Aug-23 12:35:41

Umami taste for grains: I swear by miso paste added to taste. Veg also and nice fresh onions and garlic. Grated Cheddar is really good added to cooked rice and put in the oven to brown

Starburster1 Thu 03-Aug-23 22:06:07

You could try making grain bowls. I often start with a base of quinoa or farro, top it with roasted veggies, some protein (like tofu or tempeh if you're skipping beef), a sprinkle of seeds or nuts, and drizzle with a tangy vinaigrette or tahini dressing. Super filling and versatile.

Shropshirelass Sat 05-Aug-23 11:46:04

I can’t help you as don’t eat any grains or seeds, I am much better without them.

simiisme Sat 05-Aug-23 11:50:50

I love the Hairy Bikers'' recipe for bulgur wheat:
recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2203303

I use finely chopped red onions instead of spring onions.
100g bulgur wheat soaked in 200 mls boiling water for 10 mins, then allowed to cool works well. Served with lamb kebabs or poached eggs. Delicious.

Applegran Sat 05-Aug-23 12:07:17

I think I am missing something here! I understand about eating seeds, nuts and lentils - all healthy foods. But what is the reasoning behind eating lots of grains? There must be some nutritional reason, I guess, as people are trying to eat more of them, but am unclear why that is.

Marmin Sat 05-Aug-23 13:16:14

As a vegetarian I eat a lot of grains. My favourite at present is a spelt salad. I simmer spelt grains with bay and garlic for thirty minutes. After draining and cooling I add all of the following: chopped spring onions, peppers, dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, cashews, preserved lemon, dill, mint, chick peas and mix through a dressing I put together. Sometimes I eat it as it is or occasionally sprinkle some crumbled feta over it. It is a meal in itself this way.

Suzique Sat 05-Aug-23 15:07:04

AIBU to ask what is this trend about?
I have noticed that ‘chubby’ young men often wear loose track suit bottoms which leave their manhood flopping about!
Is it a peacock thing?
I notice and then think I should not look!

Witzend Sat 05-Aug-23 15:11:36

In winter we have lots of substantial vegetable soups, usually with a handful of pearl barley added.
Mind you it’s pretty autumnal here at the moment - I might make one in the next few days.

Gundy Sat 05-Aug-23 15:14:24

If you do rice - ONLY brown rice, please.

Pre-cooked and cooled (in the fridge!) brown rice can be added to any stir fry or in soups. And even some casseroles.

How about Oatmeal Raisin Cookies? 😃
My favorite cookie.
USA Gundy

Bijou Sat 05-Aug-23 16:21:27

Apologise for my ignorance but what do you mean by grains!
I do notice a lack of red meat. Recently because of the cost I didn’t eat so much but a blood test showed I was becoming anaemic.
I eat a lot of salad, lettuce, tomatoes, apple, celery, etc. And slow cooked meals with lots of veg, lentils with beef, pearl barley with lamb and chicken with rice.
Don’t have some of the latest type foods.
I remember foods we used to have years ago. Rabbit stew, tripe and onions, stuffed heart, pork belly. I suppose offal (nutritious) now goes in pet food

Riverwalk Sat 05-Aug-23 17:20:40

Suzique

AIBU to ask what is this trend about?
I have noticed that ‘chubby’ young men often wear loose track suit bottoms which leave their manhood flopping about!
Is it a peacock thing?
I notice and then think I should not look!

Maybe they've eaten too much quinoa hmm

tanith Sat 05-Aug-23 17:31:16

I’m trying to add more grains to my diet as I’m diabetic and I want to eat less potatoes and pasta. I don’t like quinoa but am happy to eat rice mixed with wheat, barley, lentils etc just ran out of ideas I do add lots of veg to my meals too. But I’m going to try your ideas so thankyou.

Riverwalk Sat 05-Aug-23 17:55:44

You should be reducing grains not increasing them if you're diabetic (presumably Type 2).

Although wholegrains are better than refined they are still carbohydrates and you should mindful of portion size.