Hearty Rustic Grain Dish (Printable)

Rustic grains with roasted veggies and herbs, a hearty and wholesome side or main option.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro, rinsed
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium red onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 zucchini, diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Herbs & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan, add the farro, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid.
03 - Toss diced onion, carrots, bell pepper, zucchini, and minced garlic with olive oil, dried thyme, dried rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange the vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and tender.
05 - Mix the cooked grains with the roasted vegetables in a large bowl and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely nourishing without feeling like you're being virtuous—this is comfort food that happens to be good for you
  • The combination of chewy grains and caramelized vegetables creates layers of flavor that feel so much more sophisticated than the effort required
  • One pot becomes dinner, making it perfect for those nights when you want something real but can't face a complicated cooking process
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the farro—I learned this the hard way when my first batch came out gluey and sad. A quick rinse under cold water changes everything
  • The vegetables need proper space on that baking sheet or they'll steam instead of roast. This was the discovery that took my roasted vegetable game from okay to actually delicious
  • Taste as you go and adjust seasoning at the end, not at the beginning. The flavors develop and concentrate as everything cooks
03 -
  • Buy your pumpkin seeds already toasted if you can find them—they save you a step and guarantee they won't burn
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the grains and vegetables separate until serving time, then combine just before eating so everything stays distinct and doesn't become mushy

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