How to Build Your Perfect Grain Bowl

Article summary

Nutritious and Delicious Grain Bowls

Grain bowls have become a staple for those seeking a delicious, nutritious, and easy meal option. Not only do they offer a perfect balance of proteins, grains, and vegetables, but grain bowls are also customizable to suit any dietary preference. This guide will walk you through the steps to create your own grain bowl masterpiece at home using a variety of grains, fresh produce, and your favorite proteins. We'll also delve into the benefits of including these nutrient-packed bowls in your diet and how to maximize flavor with simple ingredients. Whether you're a seasoned grain bowl enthusiast or new to the concept, you'll find valuable tips and ideas to enhance your meals.

Wildly Delicious: Episode 2: Mix and Match Grain Bowls

Recipe

Grain bowls are essential fall meals! They are composed of a grain base and topped with a protein, fresh veggies and herbs, and a dressing. From seeds and nuts to avocado, there are plenty of extras you can mix and match in your grain bowls as well. They're easy to make with what you have available in your Rise Garden, refrigerator, and pantry!

Step One: Choose Your Grain

What do you already have in the pantry? Brown rice? Use it up! Want to go with something fun like freekeh? Go for it! The point of the “build your own grain bowl” is to simplify meals and use up what you already have on hand. Sure, if you want to go out and buy something new and fun to try, do it! We’ll be over here using up whatever we already have.

Step Two: Add Your Greens

Raw or cooked, it’s up to you. In our house, we love Rise Gardens’ Wild Rocket Arugula and Mustard Greens on the side, served raw, with cooked Pak Choi or Red Pac Choi. Kale is also a great choice, depending on what you have!

Step Three: Add Some Vegetables

For a hearty, warm, autumn-esque bowl, opt for sautéed mushrooms in some garlic. Looking to go more of a Tex-Mex route? Fry up some peppers and onions with a little chili powder and cumin! You also simply cannot go wrong with Rise Gardens’ roasted Chioggia Beets. The choices really are endless here.

Step Four: Pick a Protein

Grilled chicken, salmon, black beans, steak, tofu, soft-boiled eggs, ricotta cheese. Need we say more? The best part of build-your-own-bowls is that no matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or you eat meat, there are always options available.

Step Five: Drizzle with Sauce

Sauce makes the dish, am I right? Food just isn’t the same if it’s not smothered in some type of flavorful sauce. Make your own or raid the doors of your fridge and see what you can find! Here are a few dressing ideas:

Tex Mex: equal parts sour cream and mayo with a squirt of lime, cilantro, and a dash of chipotle
Balsamic: equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar with maple syrup, salt, and pepper to taste
Tahini: equal parts tahini and water with lemon, salt, and pepper to taste

Step Six: Add Any Extra Toppings You Want!

Around here, we love pickled onions and feta cheese. But mostly, we love any and all fresh herbs from our Rise Garden. Go with cilantro if you’re using a Tex Mex dressing, dill if you decided on salmon as your protein, or a mix of as many herbs as you can think of (we love cilantro, parsley, dill, and basil!).