OP, have you tied farro? It is sort of similar in taste/texture to brown rice, but larger and chewier grains. It's my new favorite grain - and relatively good for you!
This is my favorite preparation:
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2013/07/one-pan-farro-with-tomatoes/
But you can also boil or steam it with a bit of olive oil and salt, if you think the tomatoes will bother DH (but they do kind of melt down into a sauce).
Do sweet potatoes count as a starch, or are they too veggie-like? I like them steamed and mashed with OJ and maple syrup, or baked/roasted with cinnamon or brown sugar.
For regular white potatoes, I generally cut into cubes, toss with veg oil, herbs, garlic, salt, and roast or pan-fry. I also make mashed potatoes with almond milk instead of regular, nobody ever notices.