Trends toward better nutrition, gluten-free and low glycemic eating are apparent in the growing range of whole grain food choices now available. It is easier than ever to eat right with whole grains. Hearty, healthy, wholesome grains have true staying power. They are nutritional power houses full of vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates and fiber.
Whole grain dishes earn their rightful place in meals all day long. Buckwheat pancakes for breakfast, grain-infused soup and a sandwich on whole wheat bread for lunch and fried brown rice for dinner. Maple Grove area restaurants make healthy eating delicious. Hearty grain dishes will fill your tummy and warm your soul during these last chilly days of winter.
Turkey Bacon Chipolte Sandwich on Multigrain
Multi-grain bread with flax seeds, rolled oats, barley, crushed wheat and rye makes a meaty sandwich even more substantial. Picture thin-shaved applewood smoked turkey, bacon planks, mozzarella cheese, tomato slices and spinach nestled between slices of multigrain bread. Made by hand and fresh to order, the turkey bacon chipotle sandwich brims with filling flavors and the smoky zip of housemade chipotle mayonnaise. “It’s got a little bit of a kick to it but not overwhelming,” says owner Curt Medina. A sprinkle of fresh spring greens frills the top. The turkey bacon chipotle sandwich earns compliments time and time again, according to Medina. “People ask, ‘how do you make it taste so good?’” Served cold deli-style, the sandwich can be warmed in a panini press for an additional 50 cents. Full $7.45, half $3.95. 15517 Grove Cir. N.; 763.657.0919.
Ale and Cheddar Soup
Traditionally, beer cheese soup has popcorn as a garnish. Cubes of hearty grain-infused caraway rye bread finish the dish at Granite City Food & Brewery. Made from scratch daily, the soup is a silky blend of quality Cheddar cheese, fresh cream and chicken broth. A splash of house brewed Northern Light Lager adds a golden touch with a crisp, earthy scent of hops. Steamy, smooth and satisfying with a pleasant rye bread crunch, the soup can be eaten any time of day. The jumbo baked pretzel appetizer features the ale and cheddar soup as a dip. Sometimes, the soup is showcased on the Sunday brunch buffet. At any hour, savory soup with rich cheesy saltiness can work up a thirst. Why not have a frosty mug of Northern Light Lager with your soup? $5.95 bowl, $4.95 cup. 11909 Main St., 763.416.0010.
Honey Wheat Bread
The daily grind has a healthy beat at Great Harvest Bread. Early every morning, a full mill grinds red spring wheat kernels into whole wheat flour. A quick turn-around with no shelf storage protects the flour’s nutrients. The whole wheat flour, honey, filtered water, yeast and salt bake into a nutritious and delicious loaf. The honey wheat bread has a fresh-ground whole wheat nutty flavor. “You don’t need to toast it, but it’s very good with a little crunch on top…makes a good sandwich bread because it’s so hearty,” says owner Toni Fluke. The five-ingredient honey wheat bread is the signature loaf for Great Harvest Bread. The company’s popularity and growth began with this recipe in 1976 and continues today. Still not sure? Stop by the bakery and sample a slice with a slather of real butter and drizzle of honey for free. $5.25 for a 2 1/2-pound loaf. 13714 Grove Drive, 763.416.1911.
Rosemary Wheat Bulgar Soup
Bulgur transforms a light veggie-based Greek-style soup into a substantive super food loaded with fiber and protein. Bulgur durum wheat groats forms the base of this gluten-free soup. The homemade soup contains a good pick of garden fresh vegetables with green pepper, fresh white onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. The mix boils down to intensify the rosemary taste as the herb-like perfume simmers into the wheat whole grain groat. The bulgur gives this soup a unique texture and a healthy profile, typical of authentic Greek cuisine. “My dad is 100 percent Greek and has been using bulgur his whole life,” says owner and chef Paul Santrizos. Bulgur is also a key ingredient in tabbouleh, which is available as a special feature or pre-order only. $3.69 bowl, $2.99 cup. 247 Central Ave.; 763.424.3935.
Buckwheat Pancakes
Buckwheat pancakes win friends of all ages. Grainy, dark, buckwheat flour makes a heftier pancake. Every stack is made fresh to order with a batter prepared in-house. “They are old-timey but great,” says manager Aaron Schmitz. Speckled flecks of buckwheat give the pancakes a slightly savory taste with a whisper of mushroom-like earthiness. These hefty yet airy pancakes come with a side of whipped butter and maple syrup. The sweet syrup and creamy butter complement the buckwheat’s heartiness. Buckwheat pancakes make a filling breakfast with real staying power, $7.95 full order of six pancakes, $5.95 half-order of three pancakes. 6322 Vinewood Ln. N.; 763.383.0888.
Quinoa Salad
At a place better known for Brazilian steak, the quinoa side salad makes a light and delicious vegetarian starter. With dairy-free and gluten-free sensibilities, the cold salad is a frequent feature on the salad buffet line and appears for at least one week out of every month. “It is very tasty, healthy and high in protein,” says kitchen manager Rolando Bustanande. As the only grain with a complete protein, quinoa, stands out as a salad superstar and the Rodizio Grill gives it a tasty treatment. An olive oil-red wine dressing goes over tomatoes, corn, red and green peppers, green onions and kidney beans. A squeeze of lime juice adds a citrusy tang. “The flavor is in the dressing,” says Bustanande. 12197 Elm Creek Blvd., 763.657.1133.
Fried Rice With Brown Rice
Authentic Thai fried rice comes four ways with a brown rice option at Sawatdee. Select Thai style with green onions, tomato and sliced cucumbers; curry style with carrots, sweet peas and peapods; pineapple style with green onions; or broccoli style with carrots and peapods. While the texture of brown fried rice is different than its more traditional white rice counterpart, it still absorbs surrounding flavors. A chewier, grain-like taste is doused in Asian vegetables and spices. Everything is fresh made to order and gluten-free with no shortage of authentic Thai taste. As Sawatdee proclaims, “Thai it, you’ll like it!” Vegetarian, chicken, pork or tofu $11, beef $12, shrimp $13, brown rice for an additional $2.50. 7885 Main St. N., 763.494.5708.
White Hen Florentine Whole Grain Crust Pizza
Defy the odds, indulge in a healthy pizza. The So Lo calorie pizza takes the guilt out of eating pizza. A whole grain crust and lighter ingredients make a tasty pie with less than 500 calories, one serving of vegetables and four grams of fiber. As Solo Pizza Café proudly touts, “Being good, never tasted so great.” The white hen Florentine has no shortage of savory Italian flavors. Creamy white garlic sauce goes over the nutty whole grain crust baking rich aromatic notes into the dough. Mediterranean warmth flows from a spread of skim milk mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken chunks, fresh tomatoes, onion slices, fresh sweet basil and oregano. Hungry? Your wait will be short because a state of the art pizza oven turns out perfect crispy-chewy pies crust in less than three minutes. 7-inch $6.65, 10-inch $8.25. 13356 Bass Lake Rd., 763.551.9999.
