Sesame-Ginger Whole Grain Yam Rolls
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked whole grains (I used Bob's Red Mill Grande Whole Grains, but single grains, such as Kamut, are also great; use Quinoa, Sorghum or Brown Rice for gluten-free), rinsed
  • 6 cups water
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and quartered
  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into ½-inch fry shapes
  • 2 tablespoons olive or melted coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons + ½ teaspoon sesame oil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ¼ cup creamy unsalted almond butter
  • 2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
  • 4 sheets nori (see note below for lettuce wraps)
  • ½ cucumber, julienned (optionally peeled)
  • Low-sodium soy sauce, wheat-free tamari, or coconut aminos, to serve
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 425ºF.
  2. Bring the water to boil in a large saucepan. Add the whole grains and ginger, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the grains are tender. Thoroughly drain, remove and discard the ginger, return the grains to the pot, and cover until ready to use.
  3. While the grains are cooking, place the sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet and toss with the olive or coconut oil. Roast for 25 minutes.
  4. Remove sweet potatoes from the oven and toss with 2 teaspoons sesame oil, the sesame seeds and ¼ teaspoon salt. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes.
  5. To make your grains sticky and delicious, stir in the almond butter, sweetener, rice vinegar, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, ginger powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Taste test and stir in more salt, to taste, if desired (I usually add about ⅛ teaspoon more).
  6. Prepare the yam rolls with the now sticky whole grains, topped with the roasted yam slices and cucumber on the nori sheets. If you aren't familiar with sushi rolling, see this easy tutorial. Be sure to keep your hands slightly damp when pressing the grains on the nori sheets.
  7. Cut and serve with low-sodium soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos.
Notes
Steamed Yams: No time for roasting? Go ahead and steam the cut sweet potato. Toss with the sesame oil and salt once tender.

Wrap It:
If rolling sushi isn't your thing, you can make sushi hand rolls (easier) or simply plop all of the ingredient in a lettuce wrap! The whole grain mixture tastes excellent with greens.
Recipe by Go Dairy Free at https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/sesame-ginger-whole-grain-yam-rolls