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Roasted Sweet Potato & Rosemary Sorghum Pilaf {Vegan, GF}

Last night, I finally got around to using the remainder of sorghum that’s been sitting in my freezer for several months. I’ve used sorghum in place of barley in several soups, but I have yet to make a dish that has the grain as its primary focus.

At this point, you may be asking yourself “what the heck is sorghum?!!” Kevin asked the same thing when I first purchased it.  Poured straight from the package, sorghum looks similar to spelt or barley, but rounder.  Or, as Kevin noted when he wandered into the kitchen, “It looks…biblical.”

His wrinkled nose was a hieroglyph of his disdain; I knew he wasn’t envisioning a side-dish miracle akin to water into wine. More likely, it was Noah and his ark: the grains look like something stowed onboard for 40 days and 40 nights of rough weather, and even rougher meals.

The words “similar to spelt” didn’t exactly generate waves of excitement, either. I was tempted to goad him further with a mock agenda for the rest of my week: weaving my own clothes and boiling homemade lard soap.

But there is something to Kevin’s biblical sidebar, because sorghum is, in fact, an ancient grain, perhaps one of the oldest cultivated crops of all.

From a modern perspective, it has tremendous appeal: it is naturally gluten-free, the nutrition is off the charts (rich in fiber, magnesium and vitamins A, B, C and E, easily digested), the flavor is delicious (nutty, yet neutral for a wide range of flavor additions), and the texture is tender, with a pleasing chewiness (great for soups, salads, side-dishes and more).

So late-afternoon I set to prepping my sorghum for an autumn flavors-inspired pilaf, plump with roasted sweet potatoes and rosemary. Sorghum take awhile to cook, but it is unattended simmering time on the stovetop. Moreover, the sorghum can be cooked ahead of time, cooled, refrigerated and stored for several days (or frozen for several months) until you are ready to use it.

While the sorghum cooked, I prepped my sweet potatoes and rosemary.

And, also, proceeded to give the sweet potatoes a short blast in the oven:

I sautéed the white portions of chopped green onions, and then added the rosemary, cooked sorghum, and a splash of water. After a bit of cooking and occasional stirring, in went the sweet potatoes, and , finally, the green tops of the green onions.

I served it to Kevin as a supper side-dish. I had already gobbled half a dozen forkfuls in the making of the pilaf and knew I was smitten, but I was anxious for Kevin’s appraisal. He tucked in, and began a tentative chew. Then he looked up, smiling. Perhaps not a miracle, but, without doubt, a revelation.

Roasted Sweet Potato & Rosemary Sorghum Pilaf {Vegan, GF}

Roasted Sweet Potato & Rosemary Sorghum Pilaf {Vegan, GF}

Yield: 4 side-dish servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

A healthy, ancient grains side dish made with gluten-free sorghum and roasted sweet potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 1/2 cup uncooked sorghum
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
  • 4 green onions, chopped, white and green parts separated
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil; add the sorghum and boil, uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes until sorghum is very tender. Drain.
  2. While sorghum boils, preheat oven to 425F. On a baking sheet, toss the sweet potatoes with half of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 22 to 27 minutes until tender.
  3. In a large silet, heat the remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add the white parts of green onions; saute for 3 minutes.
  4. Add the drained sorghum, rosemary, sweet potatoes, and water to skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes until water is absorbed. Stri in green parts of green onions and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1-1/4 cups
Amount Per Serving Calories 175Total Fat 5.4gSaturated Fat 0.7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 153mgCarbohydrates 30.7gFiber 3.7gSugar 2.6gProtein 3.5g

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Mal

Tuesday 20th of October 2015

I got on a grain kick a few years ago and the Ezekial brand of breads and cereals is a staple in my pantry. Once you get hooked on the bread it's hard to go back, it tastes as good as it is for you. Anyway, I tried sorghum at a restaurant and loved it; this recipe was just as good and everyone I made it for enjoyed it as well. So thanks for sharing it!

Jen B.

Friday 21st of November 2014

I just came across your site while googling what to do with my sorghum I found at Whole Foods. I just wanted to thank you...this pilaf was so yummy! Thanks again...we all enjoyed it!

Jen B.

Jenny

Sunday 7th of October 2012

Beautiful! I've never heard of this, but I'll be on the look out for a bag. The pilaf really looks delicious! It's always a plus when the hubby's approve too!

Tracy

Wednesday 18th of April 2012

Sorghum has been on my list of gluten-free grains to try for awhile. Anyway, your recipe looks like a good place to start -- if I could only find the stuff!

Catherine Wilkinson

Tuesday 7th of February 2012

Very very nice pilaf. I've been fooling around with barley. My husband looked horrified when I suggested barley for breakfast. But I cooked it in the crockpot overnight and popped a couple of soft poached eggs on top...he liked.

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