Pasta and rice are pantry staples in almost every kitchen anywhere. Recent trends show that people are now making conscious choices to stock up on other grains as well like kamut, bulgur wheat and quinoa. These come in very handy especially when you have had a long day and you want your family to enjoy the wholesome goodness of grains. However when you don't have the energy to do much more than boil water, then seasoned pasta and rice mixes are the perfect solution.
Epicureans might have reservations against the regular Rice-A-Roni or Best Bite but the grain content is 100%. Although the salt content may be an issue for some and hard to ignore. The solution is of course to season your own whole grain pasta, couscous, or rice using gourmet seasonings that are readily available. Brown Rice Mixes are also a healthy alternative with Portobello mushrooms and seasoning. Some other popular grain recipes besides pasta and rice are: Asian Chicken Noodle Salad, Beef and Penne Casserole, Brown Rice, Confetti Rice Salad, Curried Quinoa and Peas, Edamame Rice, Farfalle with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes, Fruit and Chicken Pilaf, Lemon Cilantro Quinoa, Low Fat Chicken, Asparagus and Quinoa Salad, Low Fat Couscous Salad.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming at least 3 servings of whole grains per day. However, many people do not get the recommended daily amount of nutritious whole grains. Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including dietary fiber, several B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), and minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium). The best deal about home cooked grain or rice and pasta dishes are that they are a one-pot meal. From chowders to lasagnas, stews to chilis or simply pilafs - these have diverse flavors but their cleanup is simple.
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