If you like whole grains…

…you might consider getting a rice cooker. I haven’t tried a huge variety of whole grains in my rice cooker but the combinations I’ve tried have worked out very well. I’ve successfully cooked several whole grains and combinations of whole grains or small beans with white rice in a rice cooker. The two variables to keep in mind are (1) the amount of water needed to get a good cooked grain texture and (2) need for pre-soaking.

In my experience, much depends on the size and age (or dryness) of the grain (and lentils). These are the exact combinations which work for me:

quinoa: 1 cup grain + 1 cup water (no more than 1-1/4 cup water) results in a nice chewy texture; more water will produce gummy results

lentils (whole and split): 1 cup beans + 1 cup water (no pre-soak needed if beans are fresh, else soak for 30 minute before cooking and maybe add a spoon of water) results in a nice fluffy texture

pearl barley: 1 cup barley + 1-1/4 cup water; pre-soak 1-2 hours) produces lightly chewy, almost al dente texture

white rice: 1 cup white rice + 1 to 1-1/8 cup water produces intact grains with nice give

I particularly like to mix white rice with either lentils or barley (1/4 cup lentils + 3/4 cup rice; 1/2 cup barley + 1/2 cup rice)


Method with grains listed above:
-wash grain with 2-4 changes of water
-to pre-soak, add enough water to fully submerge grain by ~1 inch
-when ready to cook, drain all water and add amount of water needed to cook amount of grain
-put everything into rice cooker and start cooking
-grain is ready to eat about 15 minutes after rice cooker indicator light turns off

Suggestions for other (larger) grains or dried beans…
-soak overnight in refrigerator (try adding ~1/2 teaspoon baking soda to beans)
-add 1-1/2 cup water for each cup of dried beans or whole grain

-Adjust conditions according to the results you want: use less water (1/4 cup at a time) for firmer product, add water for more pliant grain

-note: I’ve never needed to do this but if the grain is too tough, there is always the option of adding water and running it through another rice cooker cycle.

Update: I forgot about millet! It’s not my favorite grain but it cooked up well in the rice cooker. Use 1 to 1-1/4 cup water for each cup of millet. And wild rice! I love wild rice... use 1 to 1-1/4 cup water for each cup of wild rice.