by Anna Thomas
from Fine Cooking #109, p. 48-55

Grains are my thing. I love them in any guise—from the dense, chewy rye breads of my Polish childhood, to the buttery, big-as-aprons buckwheat crêpes I’ve eaten while walking the streets of France. There’s hardly a whole grain I’m not partial to.

But I know that’s not the case for most people. Sure, everyone knows wheat, corn, and oats, but what about amaranth or farro? Ever try teff? These utterly delicious grains and others, like quinoa and millet, can be found at many supermarkets, in health food stores, and online. They’re easy to cook, tasty, and good for you. They also keep for months, so they’re great pantry staples.

To start, try making polenta with millet instead of corn—the Romans cooked millet that way for centuries, and its mild, sweet flavor just loves butter and cheese. Or add delicately crunchy quinoa to a salad for an interesting play on texture and flavor. A savory vegetable tart is rich and nutty, thanks to a crust made with teff flour. Farro, a type of wheat, turns a typical pilaf into a chewy, satisfying side dish, while amaranth flour gives hearty griddlecakes a peppery kick (and a nutritional boost).

Getting to know these five grains will be a delicious discovery, and—if you’re anything like me—they’ll soon have a permanent spot in your pantry.

Learn more about quinoa		Quinoa Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Gouda

Learn more about amaranth		Corn and Amaranth Griddlecakes with Spicy Black Beans

Learn more about teff		Swiss Chard, Sweet Potato, and Feta Tart in a Teff Crust

Learn more about farro		Farro and Beluga Lentil Pilaf with Ginger and Cilantro

Learn more about millet		Millet and Cheddar Polenta with Roasted Vegetables

Photos: Scott Phillips