Hearty Ancient Grains Bowl (Printable)

A nourishing bowl featuring ancient grains and chickpeas.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1/2 cup farro, rinsed
02 - 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
03 - 3 cups water or vegetable broth
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Legumes

05 - 1 can (15 oz/400 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Greens

06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or kale, chopped
09 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1 avocado, sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon tahini
14 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
18 - 2 tablespoons crumbled feta (omit for vegan)
19 - Toasted seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)

# How To Make:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine farro, quinoa, water or broth, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until grains are tender. Drain any excess liquid.
02 - Meanwhile, prepare the dressing: whisk olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, minced garlic, maple syrup or honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until creamy.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked grains, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, spinach or kale, and red onion. Drizzle with the dressing and toss well to coat.
04 - Divide the grain mixture among 4 bowls. Top each with avocado slices and optional garnishes such as parsley, feta, and toasted seeds.
05 - Serve immediately, or chill bowls in the refrigerator for a refreshing cold meal.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This dish is an effortless way to pack in nutrients while keeping your taste buds happy.
  • The bright flavors from the dressing elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary, making it a crowd-pleaser.
02 -
  • When I first made this, I overcooked my grains and ended up with a mushy mess; now I set a timer to avoid that!
  • Discovering the right balance of lemon juice in the dressing made a world of difference in flavor.
03 -
  • Soaking the farro for a few hours beforehand can reduce cooking time and improve texture.
  • Using homemade vegetable broth can take your flavors to another level!
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