Everything old is new again. One of the food trends that’s hot right now is eating more ancient grains. These whole grains have been around for centuries and were cultivated and eaten as far back as the ancient Egyptians. As more and more modern grains such as wheat and corn are being manipulated and hybridized in order to increase production and reduce costs, they look and taste less and less like their ancestors. These changes may, in fact, be why intolerance to these grains is increasing among people. Ancient grains, however, come from seeds that have been around for millennia and are free of hybridization and genetic manipulation. To learn more, see What Are Ancient Grains? And Why You Should Eat Them.
Besides being natural and healthy, these ancient grains have unique tastes and textures and many of them are gluten-free. Read about a dozen of the ancient grains and get lots of recipes and cooking tips in Now that You Can Pronounce Quinoa, Try These Other Whole Grains. Here we highlight 15 different ancient grains (with recipes) that may be new to you.
1. Red Lentil and Amaranth Protein Patties With Spicy Avocado Mayo
These Red Lentil and Amaranth Protein Patties are simple to make, amazingly versatile and delicious. Made with the gluten-free ancient grain amaranth, these are great on a salad, as an appetizer or as a veggie burger topped with a spicy avocado mayo.
2. Hearty Lentil, Mushroom and Barley Mash
This Hearty Lentil, Mushroom and Barley Mash is comfort food at its tastiest. Made with ancient grain barley, this dish is filling, healthy and takes less than half an hour to make.
3. Sugar-Free Buckwheat Granola
There’s no need to buy packaged granola when you can make this Buckwheat Granola at home. Made with the ancient grain buckwheat, this yummy granola is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and sugar-free.
4. Colorful Bulgur with Papaya and Pomegranate
You can serve this Colorful Bulgur with Papaya and Pomegranate warm or cold for a delicious and healthy meal anytime. Bulgur, pumpkin, cashews, papaya and pomegranate seeds come together for a symphony of colors and textures.
5. Chocolate Einkorn Cake
Is it cake? Is it a brownie? Whatever you call it, it’s delicious. This Chocolate Einkorn Cakes is a super chocolately, not overly sweet, moist cake-brownie bar. It’s made with Einkorn, the oldest form of wheat ever cultivated.
6. Farro Black Beans Mexican Bowl
Onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and beans come together in this flavorful one-pan meal that is nutritious and delicious. This Farro Black Bean Mexican Bowl has crunchy lettuce, creamy avocado and ancient grain farro instead of the usual rice.
7. Tempeh Bacon Bowl
The beauty of this Tempeh Bacon Bowl is in the variety of flavors and textures. It has sweet, smoky and spicy tempeh bacon, creamy black beans, and crunchy raw veggies all sitting on a bed of the ancient grain freekeh. Fresh thyme adds a lovely floral aroma to this wholesome bowl.
8. Healthy Vegan Cocoa Puffed Rice and Kamut Crispies
These Vegan Cocoa Puffed Rice and Kamut Crispies are a healthy, vegan take on a classic cereal treats. Using a combination of puffed rice and puffed kamut cereals, vegan marshmallow crème, chocolate chips and healthy chia and hemp seeds, this version takes your taste buds above and beyond.
9. Chickpea Millet Burgers With Butternut Squash
If you want a hearty and satisfying veggie burger, make these Chickpea Millet Burgers with Butternut Squash. Made with gluten-free millet, protein-packed chickpeas and beta-carotene rich butternut squash, these burgers are as healthy as they are delicious.
10. Polenta Pizza Crust
Give your pizza an ancient twist and make this Polenta Pizza Crust. Polenta is made from corn, is gluten-free and has lots of protein as well as other nutrients. This pizza crust is yeast-free so it’s fast and easy to make. Load it up with your favorite pizza sauce and toppings
11. 5-Ingredient Vegan Quinoa Fudge
Even a decadent treat can be healthy when you make it with superfoods. This 5-Ingredient Vegan Quinoa Fudge is fast and easy to make. Since it has the ancient grain quinoa, you can feel good about having a second piece.
12. Peaches and Cream Pancakes
These gluten-free Peaches and Cream Pancakes are made with sorghum flour which contains many nutrients and antioxidants. Almonds, orange zest and a touch of liquor make this typical diner breakfast an elegant meal.
13. Spelt Mixed Fruit Scones
There is nothing like a fresh scone with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. These Spelt Mixed Fruit Scones are made with warm and comforting spelt flour and sweet mixed berries for a satisfying treat.
14. Mocha Teff Muffins
Teff may be the world’s tiniest grain but it’s big on flavor and nutrients. The super-fine teff flour used in these Mocha Teff Muffins makes a silky-smooth batter that leads to light, fluffy muffins with a delicate crumb. Coffee and chocolate tips give the muffins a rich and delicious mocha flavor.
15. Vegan Manna Bread
It’s only fitting to use an ancient grain like wheat berries to make a bread that has been eaten by people for thousands of years. This Manna Bread is made with sprouted wheat berries and water. That’s it. It’s considered the most wholesome, simple and nutritious bread on Earth.
It’s fun to try something new even if it’s really old. Try these healthy and delicious ancient grains and discover what our ancestors knew all along.
Lead image source: Chocolate Einkhorn Cake
