Sweet & Savory Ancient Grains

Although called ancient grains, many of these versatile ingredients are actually seeds packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. With mild flavors, they make perfect starters for a variety of meal options, from a sweet breakfast porridge to a savory dinner main dish.

Easy Week night recipes

Don’t have time to cook? Nervous about trying something new? Mark Adams, a local naturopathic doctor specializing in natural nutrition and sports science, recommends Jovial’s einkorn pasta as an introduction to ancient grains. It’s a meal that quickly became a favorite of his 5-year-old son, passing the picky eater’s test. Below he combines it with raw Parmesan cheese and a high-quality red sauce for a satisfying and healthful go-to weekday.

Einkorn (rhymes with “fine corn”) is a genetically unchanged ancient grain dating back thousands of years. Many believe it is the first wheat grain used by humans. It has significantly less gluten, less starch and more protein than modern wheat. In fact, einkorn has more protein than any other grain at eight to nine grams per two-ounce serving. For reference, an egg has about six grams of protein.

Einkorn is one of the few grains that has not been hybridized—making it a nutrient-dense and naturally less reactive alternative to modern wheat, mostly due to the lower gluten component.