How to Build a Grain Bowl
A grain bowl is one of the easiest, healthy meals to throw together. It usually consists of a grain, cooked or raw vegetables, often a protein, a dressing, and other toppings such as nuts or seeds. It is endlessly adaptable and can be a great way to use up leftover items you have in the fridge. While there are no rules for how you build yours, we’ll give you some helpful tips on how to make the best grain bowl.
Components of the Best :
1. Grains
The term “grain” is used loosely here, because there’s no need to limit it to just grains. Lentils, beans, and couscous will work just as well as quinoa, rice, or wheat berries. Making quinoa for dinner one night? Plan ahead and cook a little extra to save for a grain bowl lunch. This will be the base of the grain bowl.
2. Leafy greens, microgreens & vegetables
There’s no point in listing off vegetables or greens here because this can truly be whatever you want. If there are leftover vegetables, this is a great time to use those up. Maybe a hardy kale bowl with roasted sweet potato. Or a southwest bowl with crunchy grilling greens and roasted corn. Adding a cooked component is a great way to add depth to a grain bowl, but mixing and matching raw and cooked gives you the best of both worlds.
3. Don’t forget the herbs!
Soft herbs such as dill, cilantro, and parsley can all be chopped up (tender stems included!) and mixed in for an incredible pop of flavor and freshness. Hard herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary) can be finely chopped and added to dressings or cooked with.
4. Protein
While not entirely necessary, adding a protein will help make a bowl even more satiating and will keep you full longer. Beans, tofu, meat, or seafood are all good options here.
5. Dressing
The dressing here will finish taking you in the direction you want to be going. A simple vinaigrette will work, but a tahini dressing on a Mediterranean-style bowl or a green goddess dressing on a southwest bowl can really add great layer of flavor.
6. Toppings & Other Mix-ins
This is the last chance to add extra nutrition, texture, and flavor. Cheese, hemp seeds, roasted nuts, breadcrumbs, croutons, or pickled onions are all great options.
A few ideas to get started:
Quinoa, black bean, corn, radish microgreens with a creamy cilantro dressing
Add Farro to this Roasted Eggplant Salad with tahini dressing
Add some leafy greens to this Beluga Lentil Salad
Area 2 Farms for Locals
Your food should be equally accessible and nutritious. Which is where we come in. At Area 2 Farms, we grow fresh organic produce within 10 miles of you.
