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Millet’s origin can be traced to North Africa, where it has been since prehistoric times. Millet consumption spread to become a staple in Indian and Asian cuisine and found its way into Eastern European diets long before potatoes and corn were introduced. Nearly everyone has seen millet in bird seed blends, but most people have not tried this amazing ancient grain.

Millet is an excellent source of magnesium, phosphorus and manganese and this healthy grain is naturally gluten free.While most grains are acidic, millet is one of the rare alkaline exceptions which make it easily digested. This small, round grain has a mild flavor and makes an excellent substitute for rice or mashed potatoes. The whole grain kernels can be cooked as a side dish or added to baked goods.

When people think of barley, they typically think of pearled barley. While pearl barley is a wonderful addition to almost any stew, it is not a whole grain. The precious bran has been “pearled” away to promote a shorter cooking time. Whole Hull-less Barley, however, is the genuine whole grain. It can be used in place of pearl barley in any recipe and will boost the recipe’s inherent nutrient value when used.

Barley is truly an amazing grain! It rivals oats for dietary fiber and beta glutcan, which helps lower and maintain cholesterol levels. Like many of our ancient grains, Barley’s origin can be traced back to the Fertile Crescent, where it has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. Barley played an important role in the diets of ancient Greek and Roman athletes because of the strength it gave them during training. Gladiators were even known as hordearii, which means “eaters of barley.”

Beyond whole kernel barley, barley flour makes a great addition to breads, muffins and pancakes. Rolled barley flakes can be used in place of rolled oats in any recipe and make a tasty addition to homemade granola. Barley grits are a great substitute for corn grits and make an excellent breakfast cereal.

This month we’ve put our millet and barley products on special and collected some of our favorite recipes to make these ancient grains easy to add into your modern lifestyle.

Hulled Millet  is often referred to as birdseed, however, it is very nutritious for humans as well as birds. Like rice, millet is a staple food of the Far East. It is easily digested because it is alkaline whereas most other grains are acidic. Use millet to make a delicious cereal, prepare and serve just like you would steamed rice, or add a half cup to your favorite yeast bread recipe for a delicious crunchy texture. Try it with this wonderful recipe,  Millet "Meat" Balls.

28 oz Package On Sale Now For Only $2.24!!!
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Millet Grits/Meal is stone ground on our French Buhr stones to preserve all the nutrients and flavor. Knead into your whole grain breads for extra texture and a mild flavor. 

16 oz Package On Sale Now For Only $2.24!!!
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Millet Flour has a subtle flavor, lots of vitamins and minerals, and adds a lovely creamy color to baked goods. Substitute 1/4 cup millet flour for an equal amount of unbleached white flour in any baked good (cookies, breads, pancakes...whatever you like) to add more nutrition and a unique flavor. Try it with this wonderful recipe, Pumpkin Cookies.

23 oz Package On Sale Now For Only $2.24!!!
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Hull-less Whole Barley makes a wonderful addition to a healthy diet. This new hull-less variety has been developed to allow the whole grain to be used without pearling the bran layers away. It has a pleasant chewy texture, and increases dietary fiber and nutritional value.  Try it with this wonderful recipe, Vegetable Barley Risotto.

26 oz Package On Sale Now For Only $1.70!!!
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Barley Grits/Meal, tiny chunks of the barley grain, can be substituted in recipes calling for grits or meal-hot breakfast cereal or in your favorite polenta recipe (the meal is slightly stickier than cornmeal). Try it with this wonderful recipe,  Barley Hash. 

24 oz Package On Sale Now For Only $2.42!!!
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Barley-Rolled Flakes, one of the oldest known cereal foods, has a sweet nut-like flavor. When rolled, barley flakes make a pleasant substitute for rolled oats in homemade granola, cookies, breads, as a meat extender or cook it as a hot breakfast cereal. Try it with this delicious recipe, Rolled Barley Scones.

16 oz Package on Sale Now for Only $2.15!!!
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 Barley Flour is 100% stone ground from the finest quality whole grain barley at Bob's Red Mill. Barley flour has a moist, sweet, nut-like flavor and may be added to your favorite baked goods recipe (biscuits, pancakes, cookies, breads etc.) for additional flavor and nutrition. Try substituting 1/3 cup of barley flour in place of your regular flour for an extremely tender product. Try it with this wonderful recipe, Oatmeal Muffins.

20 oz Package On Sale Now for Only $1.88!!!
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