Warm Savory Grain Bowl (Printable)

Hearty grain bowl featuring whole grains, seasonal vegetables, and a fresh herbed dressing for a light meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro, freekeh, or brown rice
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach

→ Toppings

09 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
10 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
11 - 2 soft-boiled eggs (optional)

→ Herbed Dressing

12 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
16 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Rinse grains under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine grains and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Add cherry tomatoes and zucchini to the skillet. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
04 - Stir in baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper until combined.
06 - Fluff cooked grains with a fork and mix with sautéed vegetables in the skillet or a large bowl.
07 - Divide the grain and vegetable mixture evenly among four bowls. Top each portion with toasted pumpkin seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and soft-boiled egg halves if using.
08 - Drizzle herbed dressing over each bowl just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can make a week's worth of lunches without spending your entire Sunday in the kitchen
  • Every component can be customized based on what you have on hand or what your body is craving that day
  • The herbed dressing is so bright and alive that it transforms even the simplest vegetables into something memorable
  • It's naturally vegetarian and easily adaptable for vegan friends without any fuss or compromise
02 -
  • Don't walk away from your grain while it's cooking. I learned this the hard way when I came back to a scorched saucepan. The moment the liquid is absorbed, remove it from heat immediately.
  • The vegetables must not be overcooked. They should have a slight firmness that contrasts with the soft grain. Overcooked vegetables disappear into themselves and lose their character.
  • The dressing makes or breaks this dish. A mediocre dressing will make even perfect ingredients feel ordinary. Take time to get the lemon juice and mustard balance right for your palate.
  • Temperature matters. This bowl is best served warm, not hot. The warmth releases the aroma of the herbs and makes the feta slightly creamy without melting completely.
03 -
  • Toast your own pumpkin seeds if you have the time—the flavor difference is remarkable and they stay crunchier than pre-toasted ones
  • Make extra dressing. You'll want it for other vegetables, salads, or even as a finishing touch on soup. It keeps beautifully in a jar for a week.
  • Don't skip the mustard in the dressing. It seems small, but it's what transforms simple oil and lemon into something sophisticated and balanced

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