This week I feel life slowing down to a new pace. I quit my day job, and my first Monday at home I promised myself I would take a day off. Even though I stayed in pajamas all day, I ended up spending most of the day blogging, despite my ambitions to take it easy. I’m falling into a new rhythm of self-employment, and my mind is resisting it. The hardest part is waking up and taking a shower. It’s funny how something that an office job will have you doing on autopilot seems so absurd when you are convinced you won’t see anyone that day.
Something even more unusual I am struggling with is what to eat when I’m in the zone of working. I need something I can throw together or have prepped. Something I have mastered the art of is a simple grain bowl. I usually have some sort of leftover grain in the fridge and some other random items that when thrown together equal a healthy and fast meal. I have a few recipes for grain bowls below, plus I explain the formula to the perfect grain bowl.
The Elements of a Grain Bowl
Here is an easy formula for anyone to create a grain bowl of their own. To make the perfect grain bowl you’ll need at least five elements–a grain, a green, a raw vegetable, a roasted vegetable, and a vinaigrette. Plus if you want to add an extra topping, it usually will bring a little more protein or texture into the mix. Below are some ideas on what to add to your grain bowl for each category.
Grains
- Pearled Cous Cous
- Cous cous
- Farro
- Brown Rice
- Basmati
Greens
- Spring Green mix
- Spinach
- Chopped Kale
- Arugula
Raw Vegetables
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
- Shredded carrot
- Sprouts
- Micro Greens
- Sliced Avocado
- Red onion
- Green onion
Roasted Vegetables
- Zucchini or squash
- Carrots
- Red Bell Pepper
- Diced Sweet Potato
- Butternut Squash
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussel Sprouts
Extra Toppings
- Soft Boiled Egg
- Grated Parmesan
- Feta Cheese
- Pickled vegetables
- Toasted baguette slice
- Toasted pita slices
- Kalamata olives
- Bacon
- Diced chicken breast
- Chickpeas
- Chopped Herbs
Vinaigrette
- Classic Dijon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Tahini Vinaigrette
- Balsamic and Olive oil
- Miso Ginger Dressing
- Greek Dressing
Grain Bowl Combination Ideas
Try these ideas if you’re not sure what will go well together. Try to choose things from similar regions or similar cuisines. For example, Asian cuisine has a lot of carrots, cucumbers, and pickled vegetables.
Asian Grain Bowl
- Pearled cous cous
- Shredded carrot
- Pickled red onion
- Tahini Dressing
- Spring Greens
- Cucumber slices
- Soft Boiled Egg
Root Vegetable Grain Bowl
- Farro
- Roasted carrots
- Roasted Parsnips
- Wilted Kale
- Dijon Vinaigrette
- Feta Cheese
Italian Grain Bowl
- Cous Cous
- Fresh Spinach
- Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Micro Greens
- Torn Basil
- Roasted Asparagus
- Kalamata Olives
- Grated Parmesan
- Toasted Baguette
Greek Grain Bowl
- Pearled Cous Cous
- Chopped Kale
- Kalamata Olives
- Roasted Red Pepper
- Greek Dressing
- Pickled Red Onion
- Cucumber slices
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Feta Cheese
Vinaigrette Recipes
Classic Dijon Vinaigrette– 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tsp dijon mustard, 2 pinches salt, ground pepper
Tahini Dressing– 2 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp water, pinch of salt, 2 tsp rice vinegar
Balsamic and Olive Oil– equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil plus a pinch of salt.
Greek Dressing – 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp oregano, 1 tsp dijon mustard, pinch of salt, minced garlic clove
Grain bowls are perfect for a quick and easy desk lunch or just to reuse some leftovers you weren’t sure what to do with. There are endless combinations!
If you’re looking for some other grain bowl recipes on my blog, check out my Roasted Root Vegetable Farro Salad or my Roasted Vegetable Salad with Brussels Sprouts.
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