I have a tendency to cook as though I run a boarding house for college athletes. Huge pots of brown rice, an extra pan (or two) of quinoa, enough oatmeal for a classroom. I do this so I have ready-to-go grains on hand for quick lunch salads, easy baked dinners and the simplest breakfast reheats. Engine 2 opens in a new tab’s four new frozen grain blends promise to give refrigerator shelves and stockpots everywhere a break with already cooked (and spiced!) blends that heat up in a flash. Whew!
Here’s how we like to use them.
Morning BlendChewy wheat berries, farro and black barley are packaged with golden raisins for an instant and satisfying morning meal.
Let this mix blow your usual oatmeal routine out of the water with this recipe for Creamy Spiced Pear Morning Blend opens in a new tab.
Stir in unsweetened applesauce, toasted pumpkin seeds and warm almondmilk for a porridge fit for royalty.
Layer the cooled grains with Greek yogurt, honey and fresh fruit for an ultra-simple,yet fancy breakfast parfait.
Wild Rice BlendNotoriously long-cooking wild rice teams up with black barley, brown rice, scallions and celery for a ready-to-eat pilaf.
Top with a hunk of baked tofu opens in a new tab or salmon for a no-brainer weeknight dinner.
Add creamy avocado and crunchy pumpkin and sunflower seeds to play up the grains’ texture in this recipe for Arugula with Wild Rice Blend, Avocado and Toasted Seeds opens in a new tab.
Mix with briny feta cheese, diced cucumbers, black olives and red onion for a Greek-inspired side.
Fiesta BlendBrown rice, sweet corn, black beans, red bell and poblano peppers goose up weeknight burritos and more in this crowd-pleasing blend.
Add cooked chickpeas and pinto beans to the mix for a fast three-bean rice salad.
We love this blend rolled in a tortilla with extra spices, fire-roasted tomatoes, a handful of fresh cilantro and diced avocado. Try these Engine 2 Fiesta Burritos opens in a new tab.
Toss the grain blend with sugar snap peas, shredded cabbage and a squeeze of lime juice for a simple side dish.
Ancient GrainsQuinoa, farro, black barley, brown rice and lentils combine for a gorgeous, protein-laden meal-maker.
Use the grains as a meat stand-in for chewy, satisfying Ancient Grain Wheat Balls opens in a new tab that are right at home in your favorite marinara sauce.
Add shredded kale, toasted walnuts and this quick Dijon Vinaigrette opens in a new tab for a simple, protein-packed lunch salad.
Stuff heated grains in a baked sweet potato and top with fresh herbs for an easy pocket meal.
Are you as excited as we are to stock the freezer? How will you use these meal-saving blends?
