Mixed Grains Recipes

MARA'S TOFU WITH MIXED GRAINS

Steps:

• Rinse and drain rice and quinoa. Cook in a rice cooker with water and salt, or in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepot over medium heat. Cover, and bring to a boil, then reduce to a faint simmer. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
• Line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels. Set aside.
• Pat tofu blocks dry, then halve lengthwise. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Drizzle 2 tablespoons aminos onto the bottom of a large, shallow glass or ceramic dish, then lay a layer of tofu in it. Drizzle with another 2 tablespoons of aminos, then layer in remaining tofu, and drizzle with remaining aminos. Marinate for 5 minutes, then rotate and flip tofu slices, and tilt dish to coat evenly. Marinate 5 more minutes. Drain away excess aminos.
• Set a 10-inch cast-iron or nonstick pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Just as oil begins to smoke, carefully lay in pieces of tofu in a single layer, leaving room between each piece.
• Reduce heat to medium high, do not touch the tofu and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown. Use a thin metal spatula to carefully flip the pieces. Cook the rest the same way, adding more oil as needed.
• Remove cooked tofu to prepared baking sheet, and allow to drain.
• Use a fork to fluff rice and quinoa. Serve tofu with rice. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

HOMEMADE MULTIGRAIN BREAD

Steps:

• Add the multigrain flour to the bowl of a stand mixer or a large heat-proof mixing bowl. Pour in the boiling water, and carefully stir the flour and water with a rubber spatula until it forms a thick paste. Stir in the butter until well combined. Let the mixture cool for about 20 minutes.
• Once the multigrain mixture is warm to the touch and not hot, stir in the honey until thoroughly combined. Stir in the yeast (and vital wheat gluten if using, in that order). It's important to make sure the mixture truly is lukewarm before adding the yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes to activate the yeast.
• Add the all purpose flour, ¼ cup at a time, and knead until the dough ball is smooth. This will take about 10-15 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky, but should not stick to a rubber spatula. Soft dough makes soft bread, so do not use more flour than necessary!
• Use the rubber spatula to clean the sides of the bowl, and form the dough into a smooth ball. Cover the bowl with a plate, and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
• Once the first proofing is done, sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt over the dough and knead again for another 5 minutes to make sure the salt is evenly distributed.
• Shape the dough into a smooth dough ball, cover with a plate, and let it rise again in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size. If you are proofing the dough in the microwave like I do, you'll need another large mug of boiling water for the second proofing.
• While the dough is proofing, grease 2 loaf pans (9" x 5") with cold butter and set them aside. I use cold butter, as it's easier to handle and goes on in a thin layer. I simply take a cold stick of butter, peel back the wrapper, and rub it along the inside of the loaf pans to coat.
• After the second proofing is done, cut the dough into two equal portions. Knead and roll each piece into a loaf shape with a smooth top. On a clean work surface, spread the rolled oats in a thin layer.
• Very lightly brush the top of the loaves with water and gently flip the moistened top onto the thin layer of rolled oats. The oats will cling to the loaf. Then carefully place the loaves, oat-side up into the greased pans. Allow to rise for 1 more hour before baking, repeating the proofing protocol as in the first and second proofings.
• When you're halfway through the last proofing, preheat the oven to 375°F. When the third proofing is complete, bake the loaves in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes, until golden brown. If you tap the bread, and it sounds hollow, it's done.
• Cool for about 5 minutes, and carefully remove the hot bread from the pans. Transfer to a cooling rack to prevent the bread from steaming inside the loaf pan. Slice and serve!

MIXED GRAIN PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil and butter in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add mushrooms. Raise heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in all of the grains. Cook, stirring often, 12 minutes. Stir in stock; bring to a boil.
• Cover, and transfer to oven. Bake until grains are tender, 40 to 50 minutes (check after 40 minutes, but don't remove lid before then). Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
• Add grains, and stir well, coating them with oil. Cook, stirring often, for about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in stock, and bring to a boil. Cover pot, and put in oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (check after 30 minutes; remove lid and cook a little longer if grains need to be softer). Fold in chopped herbs. Drizzle with Marsala wine. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
• To reheat: Place the pilaf mixture in a buttered, ovenproof casserole. Do not fold in the herbs or add Marsala. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, bring the pilaf to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Drizzle with Marsala. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the top of the casserole, and butter it. Place the parchment on the pilaf, butter-side down. Place in the oven until heated through, about 30 minutes.

MIXED GRAINS WITH SHIITAKES AND CORN

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup quinoa and 1/2 cup millet in boiling salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and spread on a paper towel?lined baking sheet to cool. Cook 8 ounces sliced shiitake mushrooms in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, 5 minutes. Add 1 cup corn, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme and salt and pepper to taste; cook, stirring, until the corn is tender, 30 seconds. Let cool, then toss with the grains, 1 cup fresh parsley, the juice of 1/2 lemon and 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil. Stir in 1/2 cup shredded parmesan.

MIXED GRAIN HOT CEREAL

Steps:

• Blend plant-based milk with dates or date paste in a blender until smooth.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the plant-based milk mixture with the spices.
• Bring to a low boil, add the grains, stir, and cover.
• Cook on medium-low for 30 minutes.
• Top with fresh berries or thawed berries.

MIXED GRAINS

Steps:

• Add brown rice, wheat berries and rye berries to a large pot with a lid.
• Add 2 cups water and 2 cups stock and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed, about 40-50 minutes.
• Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and serve or store in air tight container for future uses.

MIXED GRAIN AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together mixed cooked grains, mixed fresh herbs, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.