Make any pot of whole grains taste better: quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, sorghum, even oatmeal!

It’s Healthy Kitchen Hacks Wednesday – the day we share our favorite time-saving kitchen tricks and cooking shortcuts to help you make healthy and delicious meals.

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Now…onto today’s featured Healthy Kitchen Hack:

3 EASY FLAVOR BOOSTS FOR WHOLE GRAINS (VIDEO)

EQUIPMENT: My favorite pot to cook grains: All-Clad 1.5-Quart Pot [affiliate link]

I try to menu plan. But sometimes, it just doesn’t happen. Those nights, my easiest dinner solution is to throw a pot of whole grains on the stove.

Then, I’ve got anywhere from 15-45 minutes (depending on the package directions for the grain) to rummage through the fridge and pantry to find ingredients to mix into that pot of grains. This is also a great way to cut down on food waste.

These flavorful one-pot dinners are one of my favorite ways to get my family to eat more whole grains like brown rice, sorghum, quinoa (actually a seed), buckwheat, and even oatmeal.

>> Whole grains are higher in fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium compared to white rice and most pasta.

3 Instant Flavor Boosts for Whole Grains

#1 Flavor Boost – Orange Juice

Worried your kids (or husband?) won’t go for whole grains? There isn’t a whole grain my kids won’t eat when cooked in half orange juice/half water.

Plus, maybe you’ve heard about how the Florida citrus farmers are in big trouble? They are. Hurricane Irma decimated a big swath of orange trees, so has a destructive fungus which attacks the orange tree roots. And recently they just got a big freeze. So I’m happy to help these farmers by buying bottled OJ to bump up the nutrition of my whole grains.

>> The vitamin C in orange juice helps our bodies absorb the iron found in whole grains.

Try these whole grains cooked in half orange juice/half water – Oatmeal, sorghum, buckwheat, brown rice and more

Tasty toppings – Go naturally sweet with dates, cinnamon, nuts, and fresh oranges Trying to eat more whole grains? 3 Easy Flavor Boosts for Whole Grains #HealthyKitchenHacks via @TspCurry Click To Tweet

#2 Flavor Boost – Coconut Water

Any time you’re pairing a whole grain with an Asian dish, cook them in coconut water (or half coconut water/half water). Coconut water scented grains are also delicious with curry-flavored cold salads or hot curries.

Try these whole grains cooked in coconut water – Brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, whole wheat couscous, whole grain jasmine rice and more

Tasty toppings – Cilantro, green onions, stir-fried vegetables

#3 Flavor Boost – Chicken or Vegetable Broth, Bone Broth

Cooking grains in broth (or half broth/half water,) then freezing makes instant meals. Freeze whole grains according to this Healthy Kitchen Hack from Deanna on How to Freeze Whole Grains.

For a super-quick meal, just defrost in the microwave, and add toppers from the fridge or pantry.