What would life in the kitchen be like without whole grains? For me, it would be a sadder existence. Oats, whole wheat, and pseudo-grains like quinoa and amaranth provide pops of protein and healthy fiber. But they offer more than healthy benefits, too. They are delicious! Where would meals be without nutty brown rice, tender oats, and delicate quinoa? Here are 15 of our favorite whole grain recipes for every meal: Quinoa chili and salads, whole wheat muffins, a brown rice bowl with lemongrass, tofu, and cashews. There's a warm farro salad with roasted vegetables, and whole wheat couscous, too. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner — there's a whole grain to enjoy. More

You might be more familiar with wheat berries in their ground form, a.k.a. whole wheat flour, but we're talking the whole whole grain here! Cooked in simmering water until soft, wheat berries make a nutritious and mighty tasty addition to soups, salads, and side dishes. Have a favorite way of using wheat berries to share? More

I don't bother with carefully measuring water or fiddling around with getting just the right flame when I cook whole grains on the stove. Instead, I cook pretty much every type of grain using the same no-fuss method — with great results every time. More

Q: I've recently found out I cannot eat grains (any!) nor eggs. I'm running out of breakfast ideas (only so many smoothies I want to slurp down per week). Help?

Sent by Gaby More

I had my first experience of the Nickel Diner in downtown Los Angeles a few weeks ago, and you can bet I zeroed right in on the "Eggs Baked on Polenta with Spinach." My decision did not go unrewarded. In fact, I couldn't stop thinking about this dish and its divine trifecta of savory breakfast treats, even after I'd boarded my plane and flew home. More

Q: I'm gluten and oat intolerant (yes, even gluten-free oats), so no wheat, barley, rye or oats. But I really miss muesli/granola-type breakfasts. Can I make muesli or granola with buckwheat? Anybody have a gluten-free cereal recipe that also doesn't contain oats?

Sent by Alison More

Horchata, the creamy refreshing rice drink of Latin America, has its roots in medieval Spain but today the creamy, cool beverage can be found all over Central and South America, reflecting the different ingredients and flavors of each country. Here in the US we're generally accustomed to Mexican-style horchata made with rice and cinnamon. From a classic recipe to a couple of newer inventions, here are three favorite versions of this refreshing drink. More

More than a decade after experiencing my first pupusa, I can still remember my wide-eyed joy as I bit into the thick, stuffed tortilla. Why had I never eaten one before, and how soon could I have another?! As I learned, the best part about El Salvador's national dish isn't just the warm, savory masa filled with melty cheese (or meat or beans), but its brilliant accompaniment called curtido. Like a sauerkraut or kimchi, this zippy cabbage relish balances the heaviness of the pupusa and makes it a simple yet satisfying meal for any time of day. More

Even if you don't know what masa harina is, you've almost certainly eaten it. This is the flour used to make corn tortillas and the filling for tamales. Pupusas, arepas, and sopes are all made with it, along with plenty of other favorite dishes. Masa harina is as central to the Mexican and South American pantry as chiles and dried beans. Do you ever cook with it? More

Sorghum doesn't get quite the same street cred as corn, rice, and the other great grains of the world. It is nonetheless a vital crop in many areas around the globe, particularly in central Africa where this drought-resistant grain originated several thousand years ago. Here in the US, sorghum is experiencing something of a renaissance, both as an alternative sweetener and as a gluten-free grain. Have you ever cooked with sorghum? More