At the Oldways Whole Grains Council, we wholeheartedly believe that if you have more than you need, it’s best to build a longer table, not a bigger fence. In the spirit of giving, we’re sharing the best whole grain meals for meal trains. Whether someone is recovering from surgery or childbirth and could use a hand in the kitchen, or they’ve lost access to food assistance or employment and are having trouble putting food on the table, each of the dishes below travel well and nourish both the body and the soul.

Buckwheat and Apricot Granola [2]: Homemade granola is one of our go-to hostess gifts, and is also a delicious, shelf-stable treat to leave on a neighbor’s porch as a sweet surprise. With nutty buckwheat and chewy dried apricots, this granola is a symphony of both flavor and texture. To elevate this recipe into a full care package, drop it off along with plain Greek yogurt and a variety of your favorite fruits.

Creamy Cannellini Bean and Amaranth Soup [3]: Soups are one of the best foods to drop off at someone’s house, since they reheat beautifully and freeze well also. With a whole grain (amaranth), veggies (leeks and tomato), and protein (cannellini beans), this one-pot meal ticks several nutrition boxes. If you want to serve it with a bread, try the recipe below.

Sprouted Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Focaccia Bread with Za’atar [4]: The sprouted whole wheat flour and sweet potato add a subtle sweetness to this flavorful Mediterranean flatbread. This is a beautiful bread to bring to potlucks or serve on holiday tables, and is also wonderful for gifting, especially when paired with a soup, such as the recipe above.

Arroz con Pollo (Rice with Chicken) [5]: Brothy, saucy dishes like this one tend to freeze and reheat well. Plus, is there anything more comforting than rice and chicken? Arroz con Pollo is a distant relative of the classic Spanish dish paella. This version features a base of sofrito, with extra flavor from olives.

Teff Polenta with Ethiopian Chicken Stew [6]: Like the recipe above, this is another stewy chicken dish that travels well, but with a completely different flavor profile. This stew, inspired by Ethiopian chicken wot, is seasoned with chiles and a mix of mostly sweet spices called berbere.

Greek Greens and Cheese Pie [7]: We love a dish like this that feels just right no matter what time of day it is. Dark, leafy green vegetables are some of the most nutrient-dense foods around, and when paired with rich Greek cheese like Feta or Manouri, along with a nutty whole wheat crust, their taste can’t be rivaled. Made in a 9x13’’ pan, this is a great recipe to feed a crowd.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad Sandwiches [8]: When your tummy is rumbling, a hearty chicken salad sandwich just hits differently. This recipe uses Greek yogurt as a binder and fragrant sundried tomatoes and roasted red peppers for flavor. We suggest putting the prepared chicken salad in a lidded container, and then gifting your favorite loaf of whole grain sandwich bread to go with it.

Whole Grain Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies [9]: Nothing puts a smile on someone’s face faster than a fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookie. This classic cookie recipe came from a love of the Original Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie, which most people are familiar with and love. Whole grains and nut butter punch up the flavor and nutrition. Feel free to gift the baked cookies or a freezer bag of prepared dough balls — you know your recipient best and what works better for their lifestyle.

Who will you be cooking for this season? Are there any other healthy and delicious recipes that we should add to our gifting rotation? Please share! (Kelly)

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