You might be asking yourself, “I’ve heard of wine and cheese pairings, but I’ve never heard of whole grain pairings.  That’s because I made it up.  I was thinking of all the yummy whole grains we talk about and sure, we share recipes, but what we really need is a real simple guide to pairing whole grains with other ingredients to maximize their flavor and health potential.

Pasta & Tomatoes.  It’s no accident that these two are often seen together on dinner plates everywhere; this combination is popular in almost every culture.  Start with a whole grain pasta like whole wheat and toss with a can of diced tomatoes for a dose of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant shown to prevent some cancers.  In season, fresh tomatoes are a delight, but the canned varieties surprisingly contain more lycopene than raw tomatoes. A simple, yet successful marriage. 
TRY Sprouted Luinguini with Tomatoes and Herbs

Oatmeal & Berries. Impart the fresh, bright flavors and colors of berries to that warm, creamy bowl of morning oatmeal.  Berries, whether fresh, frozen or dried, have shown to slow the aging process, boost immunity and support overall health.  By combining strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or cranberries with the fiber and energy boost of oatmeal, you’ll get the very best way to start your day!
TRY Baked Blueberry-Peach Oatmeal

Wild Rice & Citrus.  The dark color, and earthy-nutty flavor of wild rice contrast perfectly with tangy, juicy and colorful citrus fruits.  Most well known as a great source of vitamin C, fresh citrus fruits are low-calorie and high-fiber, and research shows they may reduce stroke risk in women.  Section oranges or grapefruits and toss with cooked and cooled wild rice, then add a vinaigrette for a show-stopping and super side dish.
TRY Wild Rice with Oranges & Pistachios

Cereals & Nuts.  Whole grain cereals and nuts are nothing new: Consider the hiker-favorite, trail mix.  Easy to store and carry, granola, trail mixes and bars make the ideal take-along snack that’s packed with healthy carbohydrates to keep you going and a dose of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.  Popped cereals like corn, rice and wheat blend beautifully with the buttery crunch of almonds, cashews and walnuts.  For an added boost of energy and antioxidants, add dark chocolate and dried fruits to your masterful mix of crunchy goodness.
TRY High-Powered Snack Mix

Bulgur & Fresh Herbs.  The most familiar example of this pairing is in tabbouleh.  Traditionally, this Middle Eastern salad is made with bulgur, tomato, garlic and lots of fresh chopped parsley.  Parsley plays multiple roles, as an herb, a garnish and a vegetable, but its most important job is to deliver a unique and impressive dose of antioxidant vitamins and minerals that have been proven to neutralize carcinogens among other things.  Quick-cooking bulgur lends chew and substance to the light, bright parsley – a dynamic duo.
TRY Bulgur, Garbanzo and Tomato Summer Salad

Brown Rice & Beans.  When we look at the meals of our ancestors, especially in Latino and African Heritage Diets, we find rice and beans as a major player in almost every meal.  Reason is, each of these components individually contains many key building blocks of protein, but together they form a complete protein – all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot make on its own.  Together, they create a powerful protein partnership.
TRY Rice & Bean Salad

You really can’t go wrong when you combine fruits, vegetables, nuts or herbs with whole grains.  Check out our Recipe section for more ideas to inspire you to come up with your own favorite whole grain pairing.  (Karen)