Warm Grain Bowls
This is another incredibly adaptable dish. Switch up the spices, veggies, and dressing for different flavors. And bottled dressings work just fine!
Basic Grain Bowl:
- ½ cup quinoa or rice
- ¼ cup lentils
- About 1 ½ cup chicken broth or water
- Seasonings, if desired (e.g., italian seasoning blend)
- 1 – 15.5oz can beans (cannellini work well)
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Vegetables (choose your favorites, or use a frozen steamable blend)
- Salad dressing (or just add extra olive oil and lemon juice)
- If desired, add another protein, like grilled chicken
Preparation:
- Rinse the quinoa/rice and lentils. Combine with broth (or water), add seasonings if desired.
- Note: Quinoa, lentils, and often rice (depending on the variety) have a similar water ratio so they can be cooked together. Rice varieties may have different ratios- check before mixing.
- Season and cook the vegetables as desired.
- Wash and chop kale, place into a bowl. Drizzle the vinegar and lemon juice over it, add a little salt and pepper, then mix and massage well to tenderize.
- Note: Use your hands and really massage that kale! This helps tenderize it.
- Once vegetables and grains are done cooking, toss together with beans and kale, and top with salad dressing if desired.
- Serve while still warm, or refrigerate and warm when you’re ready to serve it.
Southwestern Flair
- Add ½ tsp taco seasoning to grains while cooking
- Replace the lemon juice with lime juice.
- Use black beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers
- Add a can of diced chilies
- Top with: Cheese, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, avocado
Italian Flair
- Add ¼ tsp Italian seasoning and ¼ tsp garlic powder to grains while cooking
- Use veggies like zucchini, mushroom, onion, tomatoes
- Top with: Balsamic or garlic dressing. parmesan, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers
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