Simple Grain Bowl (Print Version)

Customizable grain bowl featuring grains, proteins, fresh veggies, and a zesty dressing in minutes.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup uncooked brown rice
02 - 1 cup uncooked quinoa
03 - 1 cup uncooked farro

→ Proteins

04 - 2 cups cooked chickpeas
05 - 2 cups grilled chicken breast, diced
06 - 2 cups firm tofu, cubed and pan-seared
07 - 2 cups cooked shrimp

→ Toppings

08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
10 - 1 cup shredded carrots
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
12 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
14 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs

→ Dressing

16 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
19 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
20 - 1 clove garlic, minced
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook your chosen grain according to package instructions. Set aside to cool slightly before assembly.
02 - Prepare your chosen protein as needed. Grill chicken breast until cooked through, pan-sear tofu until golden, or use pre-cooked chickpeas and shrimp.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Arrange cooked grain in bowls. Layer with protein, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, avocado, red onion, feta cheese, pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs.
05 - Drizzle dressing over each bowl immediately before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get to play chef by choosing your own adventure with grains, proteins, and toppings instead of following someone else's vision.
  • This bowl actually tastes better the next day because everything gets cozy together, making it the ultimate meal-prep confidant.
  • It's flexible enough to clean out your fridge and impressive enough to serve when someone unexpected shows up hungry.
02 -
  • Never dress the bowl more than a few minutes before eating or you'll have a soggy, disappointing situation on your hands—this is the mistake that taught me patience.
  • Taste your dressing before it goes on the bowl because seasoning it afterwards feels like making excuses instead of taking responsibility for your food.
03 -
  • Buy your avocado a day before you plan to eat this bowl so it's actually ripe and creamy instead of hard or brown and sorry.
  • If you're making this for other people, set everything out as components and let them build their own—it always tastes better when someone chose it themselves.
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