Warm Breakfast Grain Salad
Full-of-flavor and whole-grain goodness, this healthy Breakfast Grain Salad offers the perfect combination of chewy, crunchy, tart, and sweet.
Whole grains, like oats, brown rice, and millet are super healthful foods!
The Gut Loves Grains
One of the greatest benefits of eating whole grains is that they feed the good bacteria in our gut and increase their abundance. Feeding these good gut microbes contributes to a strong immune system, reduced inflammation, and good health overall.
Insufficient whole grains in the diet is associated with an imbalance of gut microbes – which can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation, and other health issues.
Slimming Grains
Due to their effect on the gut as well as their impressive fiber content, research also shows that whole grains help with weight loss.
What is a whole grain?
A grain is composed of 3 basic parts – the bran, germ, and endosperm. All parts of the grain are essential for good health.
When a grain gets refined, the brain and the germ are removed leaving only the endosperm. Since the bran and the germ are loaded with important minerals, valuable vitamins, slimming fiber, and healthy fats, eating refined grains contributes to poor health.
How to Cook Grains for Good Digestion
For the best health, it is important to know how to cook grains properly. Here’s what you need to know about properly cooking grains.
Breakfast Grain Salad
How can you get more of these health-promoting whole grains in your diet?
This Warm Breakfast Grain Salad is a great start! This lovely combination of steel-cut oats, red rice, and black rice gives this breakfast grain salad amazing texture, flavor, and whole-grain goodness. Add the dried cranberries and apples and you have the perfect combination of chewy, crunchy, tart, and sweet. And the sauce! The lusciously smooth and creamy, rich and flavorful sauce is the perfect topping for this perfect breakfast grain salad.
Enjoy!
Warm Breakfast Grain Salad
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup uncooked red rice
- 1/3 cup uncooked steel-cut oats
- 1/4 cup uncooked black rice
- 1 1/4 cups water - (See note #1)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup water - (See note #2)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apples
- 1/3 cup chopped raw walnuts
DRESSING
- 1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate - (found in the freezer section of grocery stores)
- 1 cup full-fat, canned coconut milk
- 1 pinch salt
GARNISH
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (half a pomegranate) – optional
- 1 bosc pear
Instructions
- Place oats and red rice in a dry saucepan and turn heat to low. Toast grains over low heat for 8 minutes, stirring often. (See note #3.)
- Place black rice in a separate dry saucepan and toast over low heat for 8 minutes, stirring often. (See note #3.)
- Add 1 1/4 cups water and 1/8 teaspoon salt to oats and red rice. Cover, and bring to boil.
- Add 1 1/4 cups water to black rice. Cover, and bring to boil. (See note #2.)
- When grains come to a boil, turn heat to low. Simmer grains for 25 to 30 minutes until all water is absorbed.
- Meanwhile, combine dressing ingredients in a small pitcher or other container. Set aside.
- When grains are done cooking, stir in dried fruit and walnuts.
- Serve grain salad warm topped with dressing and garnished with pears and pomegranate seeds if desired.
Notes
>> One quick request: if you like this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment. Ratings help more people find these healthy recipes!
Want More?
For more healthy and delicious recipes like this one that will simplify your journey to a healthier and thinner you, check out my
You my also like:
Before you go . . .
Did you know that you can eat all this delicious food AND lose weight? You can!
No calorie counting. No portion sizes.
Join my online weight loss program today!
So, I was a little hesitant to try this. never heard of a warm breakfast salad. But we all LOVED it. All the texture and the rich flavors. We’ll definitely be making it again and again. Thank you for another winner Jennifer
Aw, that’s great to hear, Alina! So happy you liked it!
What would be a good substitute for the coconut cream? Could the orange sauce be made the same way as in the raw apple salad?
Thank you!
Hmmm … I felt like this salad needed the richness of the coconut milk, but you may be able to use the sauce from the Apple Breakfast Salad with good results. I think it may work fine. Let us know if you try it.
Thank you! I don’t eat coconut so I am always looking for substitutes. I was thinking I might try oat creamer in lieu of the coconut, as well. Will experiment with it. 🙂