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.