Do you remember Monica?
Who am I kidding? Of course you do.
What I really want to know is, do you remember Monica’s dirty little secret?
Not ringing a bell? Watch the video below!
Now do you remember?
Monica had a “secret closet”. That was her dirty little secret. Literally. It was a dirty closet.
Monica was a neat freak, much like myself, and I have to admit…
I too have a dirty little secret very similar to Monica.
I have a dirty little cupboard.
A cupboard I won’t let guests open…
A cupboard that horrifies my boyfriend because cans of beans fall out every time the door opens…
A cupboard that gives me an instant headache every time I look into it…
A cupboard that I won’t even reveal a picture of on my blog…
A cupboard that holds so many contents that I don’t know how I will ever finish all of them before they expire.
Luckily, most of the contents within this scary cupboard of mine are numerous types of grains, cereals, pastas, and beans.
Why am I sharing this with you? Well, I’ve started an adventure – a challenge if you will.
I challenge myself not to buy any more grains until I get through the ones in this cupboard.
Since starting this challenge, I’ve already introduced my taste buds to two new-to-me grains (amaranth and millet), but there is so many more to be tested and tried!
I’ve ran out of all of my quinoa after devouring endless bowls of whipped cottage cheese and quinoa, so now I’m using amaranth instead, but I’m almost out of that, too.
I cooked millet for the first time a few days ago, but found it quite dry, so I am experimenting with it now. I’ve been soaking the grain for over 24 hours now and plan on dehydrating it later on today to make my own “millet version” of Gena’s buckwheaties (which I love!)
Once I run out of millet and amaranth, I plan to move on to another grain taking up space in my cupboard. I have so many options! Buckwheat, kamut, hard winter wheat, red rice, and the list goes on! The possibilities are seriously endless, so I need your help!
What are your favourite recipes using buckwheat groats?
What are your favourite recipes using mung beans?
What are your favourite recipes using kamut?
What are your favourite recipes using chickpea flour?
I tried a new recipe yesterday and now I’m hooked. I need to take advantage of you and your delicious recipes! Share links to your favourite recipes below! I’m so excited to start cooking up a storm (even more than usual) and trying your recipes!
Thank you in advance for all of your recipe suggestions! I’m seriously so excited! 
Do you have a dirty little secret? What is it?
Who else wants to watch a marathon of Friends episodes now?
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this! My “dirty secret” is the top shelves of my closet. I keep my room immaculately clean, but throw EVERYTHING up there. It’s terrible.
Ok, I totally do that too
MILLET!!!! My fav grain. I cook mine in a rice cooker with some coconut oil or butter, along with dried herbs. It stays nice & moist that way. Or, for even more awesome, cook grains in canned coconut milk + lime juice + zest. Life changing, Meg.
My pantry is a disaster too – except I have a problem with hoarding raw nuts, seeds, dried fruit. I finally organized everything into mason jars the other day. I give it a week before it explodes again.
Hmmm I cooked my millet in the rice cooker, too, and it just got so dry
is your “hulled” millet?? That’s what mine is. I hope my dehydrated stuff is good for breakfast tomorrow! It smells great!
I really want to try some of your recipes during my challenge!
You know what really serious is? Since I live in 2 cities, I own 2 appartments with TWO dirty closets. Ah!
Ok. I used chickpea flour once for my pancakes: http://swissfitchick.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/tuesday-recipes-and-back-to-crossfit-training/
I just replaced the buckwheat flour by chickpea flour. Worked perfectly well.
As for buckwheat, I love it as porridge. Cook (with water or milk) it until soft, add vanilla, cinnamon, a dash of salt. Top with yogurt, whipped cottage cheese, applesauce, AB, berries, nuts……
I hope that helps! I want a friends marathon now.
Thanks Lucie!!!!
I appreciate you sharing this link soooo much!
I just did a video on my favorite breakfast recipe! Oatmeal Souffle!
Perfect! Thanks Nelly
I have a drawer that’s my “dirty little secret!” Everyone’s got to have one.
And I love friends! Best show ever, I was marathoning it this past weekend because I was having a lazy sick weekend 
I wish we could have watched together!!!!!!
My freezer is my dirty little secret. I love to make protein muffins… but they are taking OVER!
Kamut is one of my favorites!
Chinese Pepper Tofu + Faux Fried Rice: http://www.sprint2thetable.com/2012/09/chinese-tofu-faux-fried-rice/
Fig and Edamame Salad with Sriracha-Lime Vinaigrette: http://www.sprint2thetable.com/2012/09/fig-and-edamame-salad/
Chickpea Flour:
Chick-less Nuggets + Sweet ‘n Spicy Mustard Sauce: http://www.sprint2thetable.com/2012/08/chick-less-nuggets/
Mexican Crustless Chickpea (Vegan) Quiche: http://www.sprint2thetable.com/2012/06/mexican-chickpea-flour-quiche/
Hope this helps! These are all in regular rotation in my kitchen… and both chickpea recipes freeze well….
WOW, twin! You have NO IDEA how much I appreciate these links! TRUTHFULLY! Just what I wanted
I really hoped YOU would post some links within the comments especially 
Your quiche looks incredible! I just need to MAKE IT now 
Hahahahahahaha, obsessed with that episode!!!
this post is so silly and funny and cute! i adore it. heck, it is just like you! that must be why!
i have soooo many snacks i’ve received after starting my blog. i need to use them up! you wouldn’t think i’d ever buy snacks since i have so many already but alas, whenever i see something fun at tj’s (edamame crackers please) i have to scoop them up.
i am constantly trying to clean out my snacks! but my favorite snacks are things like fruit and chobani, so my snacky self gears toward those things.
can’t wait to see all you cook up with your grains!
Wish I could cook with you!!
lol you make me laugh!! i am really bad about buying more food when i’m not even out of what i have! great challenge – i definitely have many grains to use!
Join in on the challenge
I do the same thing stockpiling food until I have so much I can’t use it all anymore. I think it will be good for you, and force you to try new recipes and add some more grains to your daily diet!
haha love this! Of course I want to cuddle with some Davids tea and have a friends marathon now! Um I have a cabinet filled with grains and lentils that I must get through!
Cuddle up with me?
Does anyone have any recipe suggestion for soy flour? I bought 2 lbs. of it and obliviousy now I don’t know what to do with it
:)
Wow that’s a lot! I have soy flour that I need to use, too!
I think we all have that one space that we keep messy, even if we normally are a very neat person.
Let’s exchange recipes, okay?
How do you use kelp noodles (saw then in a picture above)? I bought a bag, and they are still in my fridge because I want to make sure I prepare them well (I want to like them!) but I’m not sure how.
Bean sprouts: http://eatmovebalance.com/raw-thai-bean-sprout-salad/ and http://eatmovebalance.com/salmon-its-all-in-the-technique/
Have a great day!
Thanks for the links sweetheart!
I REEEEALLY appreciate it!!!!!! I hope you give some of mine a try?? 
My dirty little secret is my snack cabinet. There are way to many unhealthy things in there for someone like myself who has such a great desire to eat healthy
I have a plan to donate some of the goodies to the local food pantry, I’d rather them be eaten then thrown away! I also challenge myself to buy more veggies and fruit and less cookies!
Great challenge!!
hahaha this is cute!!
loved the episode btw!
I’m not sure it’s a secret at all, my closet is a hot MESS!
I totally have a cabinet like that in my kitchen too! Eek! It’s my baking supplies cabinet! And every couple months or so I tell myself I can’t buy a single new ingredient for 2 weeks. I find myself sitting in the store parking lot, second guessing myself, making myself drive home and get creative with what I have instead! Its a mental battle
I’m not surprised you have oodles of baking stuff missy
Hi! Haha I loved that episode! I totally have a messy drawer. I call it my purse drawer because I keep lip glosses and random on the go type things in it and it’s always a mess. We just have to have one messy part of life, right?
That’s such a good name Alex!!!!!!!
HeeHee. I feel ‘ya on this: It is like , I know have a multitude of grains (& the like) in my cupboard at home. But then I go into a store, & there’s a BRAND NEW grain to try!! Or a grain I’ve NEVER tried!! And well, you know how it goes…that new grain becomes irresistible, & I have to have it. Before you know it you’re checking yourself into GAA ( grains addicts anonymous).
But hey , there are worse problems to have than a slightly excessive amount of healthy, yummy carbs in your kitchen ,right??
It’s weird that you mention it. I actually just tried millet for the 1st time, and made Genas buckwheaties this past week!
.
I layered the buckwheaties with banana chia pudding,( my 1st time trying chia pud), to make a parfait. It.Was.Awesome. Oh She Glows has a recipe for this that I’d highly recommend
Xxx
That’s crazy you tried both grains this week! Awesome! Good for you girl!
I use chickpea flower in most of my donut recipes – sounds like a good excuse to make donuts and go through those grains!
Thanks Heather! I will definitely try some of your recipes!
mix equal parts chickpea flour and water then bake in a lightly greased pan on high heat
It turns into like this dense bread type of thing and you can spice it however you like or you can spread it with coconut butter yum 
Thanks babe!
I will do that for sure!
What an awesome post Meg!!
My cupboard is a mess too. I have too many different types of lentils, beans, quinoa, grains, dried fruit, nuts and seeds..you name it. I should definitely start the challenge too to get through the foods I have before buying new ones…!
Yes! Do the challenge with me
Let the grains begin!
See what I did there?
LOL. Sorry I couldn’t help it (0:
You should try a Korean Mung Bean Pancake — they look pretty easy and you can make them pretty healthy and experiment with add-ins.
You basically soak the beans, then throw them in a blender with a little rice if you want and maybe a tsp of oil and add in veggies and season. Get your google on!
Thanks for the suggestion girly!
lol! You are too fun! I so wish we could do a friends marathon!!
I love using chickpea flour! I use it mostly for my gluten free dumplings http://www.delightsanddelectables.com/gluten-free-dumpling-and-vegetable-soup/
and Zucchini Chickpea Pancakes http://www.delightsanddelectables.com/luvy-approved/
That last one is from back in 2010!! Crazy…
ARE YOU KIDDING ME SIS!? Totally making these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the recipes
That’s exactly what I wanted and it means so much coming from my sista 
P.s. come over and watch Friends with me
I’m right there with ya girl! Recently we had rice rotini found in the pantry, that was interesting!
Awesome challenge idea!!
Yay for trying new things
we need a slumber party where everyone brings their pantry items and cook! yes?
Agreed!
I need to try some of your recipes girl! Ever since that smoothie I’m even more in love with you 
love Friends! man miss that show
Lori and I love our socca (garbanzo) and we have made it with mung beans too. so good, best flatbread ever
and we love buckwheat cereals and porridges, man both of us look forward in bringing these food back…one day soon hopefully
Oh SIS!!!!!!! <3 YOU!!!! I was WAITING for YOUR comment or I was just going to search ALL of your recipes myself
Seriously, I want to know which ones I should make! I want to know your absolute FAVS!!!!!!! I seriously need to try a ton of your recipes 
I love you
Omg, you don’t even want to see my pantry! It’s like…no, it’s WORSE than a train wreck! I’ve got so many bars, protein powders, grains, and oh yeah, the 30 cans of pumpkin I just bought last week (hey, there was a sale!), that I can barely even walk inside it without stepping on stuff! Lol
Love that you’re challenging yourself! I’ve tried to do that SO many times but always end up failing…but I have faith in you girlie! You can do it!
I’ve only used my chickpea flour a few times to make socca, but the buckwheat groats I use fairly frequently. Just grind them up and use it like any other flour…that’s what I use in my Pumpkin Spice Pancakes! http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2012/10/07/pumpkin-spice-pancakes-with-maple-yogurt-sauce/
I definitely need to make socca! Thanks for your link though
I need to make some of your pancake recipes! I want to try those coconut flour ones and the ones with greek yogurt for sure 
I’m doing the same thing- we’ve got bags of grains in our cupboard and freezer [frozen rice blends are awesome timesavers]! But the one bag that I have no clue what to do with is garbanzo bean flour… Thinking of trying it with something like corn bread
Socca!
OMG! How did I miss this post. This is something I’ve been dying to share when I finally get back to blogging. I have the same problem. My bf and roommate cant buy food because everything I have stacked up. And for feb I decided to be frugal and try to start using it. Granted I still have to buy ingredients to go with it – and some are expensive hello spirulina millet.
I have every bean, grain, flour, dried fruit, nut known to man basically. I even discovered multiple bags of the same thing bc I didn’t even know I already had it. Everything from mung bean pasta, dried scarlett runner beans, farro, to pb&j pasta.
Let’s take this challenge on together.
HAHA I have soooo much pasta too it’s CRAZYYYYYY. I buy buy buy and never use!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, let’s do this challenge together
I just made bread today using garbanzo bean flour!