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Simple Spoonfuls

May 30, 2020 · 3 Comments

Summer Grain Bowl with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Lunch· Salads and Sides· Vegetarian

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Where I live, the farmer’s markets are in full swing with the season’s bounty of tomatoes, berries, herbs, and greens. I wanted to create a summer grain bowl that gave homage to the best of summer’s crops. Sweet corn, blueberries and cherry tomatoes take center stage while a zippy lemon basil vinaigrette makes the flavors dance.

summer grain bowl with cherry tomatoes, corn and blueberries

How to meal prep this bowl

Every week, I pick a grain to batch cook and have on hand. It’s really easy to get tired of having quinoa and brown rice in regular rotation, so barley is one of my favorite grains to get me out of that rut. I love it’s nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture. BONUS: it’s incredibly nutritious and high in fiber so you can chalk it up as a win-win. I like to stock up on my grains in the bulk section of my grocery store which saves me money and cuts down on wasteful plastic packaging. Another win.

In this recipe you’ll want to look for pearl barley versus pot barley, which luckily is more readily available anyways. Then just cook according to the directions on your package. For mine, I had a quick cooking barley on hand which I only had to simmer in a pot full of water for about 12-15 minutes.

Once you’ve meal prepped your barley for the week, you’ll have it on hand to toss in soups, salads, or use as a yummy side dish with roasted vegetables. The lemon basil vinaigrette also happens to be delicious drizzled over a filet of salmon or chicken skewers to name a few.

summer grain bowl with cherry tomatoes, corn and blueberries

How to build your grain bowl

Like any salad, grain bowls (aka buddha bowls) are great because they are endlessly customizable to whatever ingredients you have on hand and the flavors you love. For me, the only real science to it is in balancing out the textures. You’ll want a nice blend of crunchy, creamy, sweet, sour, bitter, nutty and herbaceous notes. If you want to take your summer grain bowl to the next level, here’s what you’ll want to include:

  • Veggies: too many to list! My favorites are corn, cucumber, snap peas, asparagus, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, avocado…
  • Fruits: berries, stone fruit, tomato, citrus, dried cranberries
  • Nuts & Seeds: walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pecans, pistachios to name a few
  • Cheese: goat cheese, feta, parmesan shavings, shredded cheddar, blue cheese crumbles
  • Greens: spinach, spring mix, kale, arugula, romaine, and micro greens for starters
  • Protein: hardboiled eggs, shredded chicken, tuna, salmon
  • Grains: Barley, quinoa, brown rice, farro, couscous, whole wheat pasta
  • Fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, parsley, tarragon, dill and mint
summer grain bowl with cherry tomatoes, corn and blueberries
Tomatoes, corn, blueberries and barley in a bowl.

Summer Grain Bowl with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

This grain bowl shows off the best of summer's bounty with a medley of fresh fruits and vegetables. A zippy lemon basil vinaigrette make the flavors dance.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 meals

Equipment

  • food processor or blender

Ingredients
  

Grain Bowl

  • 1 cup pearl barley, cooked according to directions
  • 2 cups spinach or arugula
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh corn, raw
  • 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 2 tbsp roasted sunflower seeds

Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 whole lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Cook barley according to directions on package, drain and cool.
  • In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. Pulse until combined. Then slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the machine on until thoroghly combined.
  • In a big bowl, layer barley and spinch or arugula with the tomatoes, corn and blueberries.
  • Top with crumbled goat cheese and sunflower seeds. Drizzle with lemon basil vinaigrette.

Notes

*The lemon basil vinaigrette will give you extra dressing leftover.  I recommend it drizzled on salmon, chicken, tossed with pasta or as a salad dressing.
*You can use thawed, frozen corn in this recipe but it won’t have the same texture and sweetness as the raw corn.  
*The cooked barley will keep in your fridge for 4-5 days and you can also freeze it.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan says

    May 30, 2020 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    Looks amazing and so healthy!

    Reply
    • Katie Clack says

      May 30, 2020 at 11:18 pm

      Thanks! I hope you try it!

      Reply
  2. Scott McFeron says

    May 31, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    5 stars
    Looks amazing, I’m looking forward to getting the ingredients together and making it.

    Reply

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simple_spoonfuls

#ad I wanted to share my entry for the #beginwith #ad  I wanted to share my entry for the #beginwithjuice contest to create a recipe that uses 100% fruit juice. I’m SO proud of how yummy this cast iron blood orange chicken turned out! 🍊🍗

The blood orange juice,  chicken stock and caramelized red onions reduce down to a luxurious sauce that is delicious served over a bed of fluffy couscous.

This chicken is the perfect date night or entertaining recipe thanks to the gorgeous pink blood oranges. 🍊

Drop me a comment if you’d like the full recipe so you too can wow your family and friends! 💫

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I’m thinking about making this luscious red pepp I’m thinking about making this luscious red pepper pesto pasta for dinner tonight! The sauce is a spin on romesco in the most delicious way. 🍝

The feta, tomato and kalamata olives take it to the next level! But the best part is that the sauce is so versatile for other uses like as the base of a pizza, as a spread inside a wrap or burger bun, or drizzled over a roasted chicken breast. 🍕🍔🍗And it only takes five minutes to blitz it up in a food processor! 💪

What are y’all whipping up for dinner tonight?

#romesco #pestopasta #pestosauce #roastedredpeppers #roastedredpepper #pastasalad #pastaporn #pastalovers #pastalove #mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanfood #mediterraneanlife #mealprepideas #mealpreps #mealpreprecipes #mealprepinspo #foodblogging #healthyrecipeshare #easyrecipes #simplerecipes #simplespoonfuls #frommykitchen #frommykitchentoyours #whatiatetoday #whaticooked #pastarecipes #pastaofinstagram #carbsarelife #carbsoncarbs
You know that lonely bag of Costco cauliflower ric You know that lonely bag of Costco cauliflower rice sitting in your freezer?  Look how beautifully it transforms with a super easy cooking method my personal chef friend @skusnic taught me!  There’s no defrosting, no squeezing out excess water, no babysitting on the stovetop.  Instead, you let the broiler do the work for you! 

The high heat dries out the riced cauliflower so it gets toasty instead of soggy.  Once it’s at your desired level of golden brown, pull it out and dress it up with whatever flavors you have on hand.

I like to make mine into a keto-friendly, gluten-free rice pilaf with toasty pinenuts, garlic and parsley, finished with a shower of Parmesan. Yummm!  Video to come soon!

#cauliflowerrice #cauliflowerrecipes #cauliflower #freezermeals #mealprepideas #mealprepping #mealpreppin #mealprepinspo #mealprepsundays #mealpreps #mealprepmondays #sidedish #sidedishes #easyrecipe #easyrecipesathome #simplespoonfuls #healthysides #healthyrecipes #healthyrecipesforfamilies #ricepilaf #ketorecipe #easyketorecipes #ketomeal #ketoadapted #foodblogger #foodphotographyandstyling #vegetarianmeals #vegetarianketo #vegetariandinner #vegetarianismo
I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this dish with you! I was inspired by my friend Elena from @mamamiamangia__  and her beautiful Italian creations! 🇮🇹 

I’m not exactly sure what to name this recipe but it’s basically garlicky shrimp with white beans, sundried tomatoes and arugula. 🍤🍅🥬The flavor is amplified with lots of bright lemon zest and herby parsley. 🍋 A generous pinch of red pepper flakes brings just the right amount of heat without being spicy.  Best of all it’s gluten free and low carb.  It was so good we ate the leftovers tossed with linguine for dinner! Follow along in my stories to see it all come together!

I know I say this about all my recipes but you really should save this bad boy!  Not only does it taste like a million bucks, it looks like it too, and luckily its incredibly simple to make!

Mediterranean Shrimp and White Bean Arugula Salad

Half pound peeled and deveined shrimp (defrosted frozen is fine)
1/3 cup sundried toms, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp parsley, chopped 
Half can cannelini beans
 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
Pinch of Red pepper flakes
Sea salt and black pepper
2 tbsp Olive oil
Arugula

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a non stick sauté pan over medium heat.  Add peeled and deveined shrimp and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Add the four cloves of minced garlic. After about 1-2 minutes flip the shrimp once they’ve turned pink on the bottom.  Then add the beans, sundried tomatoes, lemon zest and juice and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2 more minutes until shrimp is fully cooked and then remove from the heat.  Add the fresh parsley and toss well. In a big bowl, lightly dress fresh arugula with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper.  Spoon shrimp mixture over the top and garnish with extra lemon! 

#mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanrecipes #italianrecipes #italianrecipe #healthyrecipes #healthyrecipe #saladporn #saladinspo #saladsofinstagram #pescatarianrecipes #pescatarianlife #seafoodrecipes #simplespoonfuls #shrimprecipes #italiansalad #eatwithyoureyes #sundriedtomatoes #eatpretty #frommykitchen #healthydinners #healthydinnerideas #easydinnerideas #easydinner #whatiatefordinner
Happy New Year everyone! 🥂I love seeing my top Happy New Year everyone! 🥂I love seeing my top 9 because to me it represents taking the first steps towards making my dreams come true.  I’m so proud of myself for putting my work out there despite the fact that I’m not at the level I want to be yet and I’m constantly fighting off the perfectionist little voice in my head.  Anyone else hear that voice?🙉

I love seeing the rainbow of color injected into my creations and it just makes me so.damn.happy. 🌈  I can’t wait to make 2021 MY year and to stop dreaming and start DOING! 💪🤘 I know it’s going to be a great year for you too!

I’m so thankful for each and everyone of you and I’m excited to show up for you every day! ❤️

Xoxo
Katie

#topnine2020 #topnine #topposts #foodblogger #foodbloggers #eattherainbow🌈 #eattherainbow #eatwithyoureyes #feastonthis #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotography📷 #myrecipes #eatrealfood #jerf #simplespoonfuls #healthyrecipes #mealprepideas #buddhabowls
*Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and *Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and Pomegranate*

I was today years old when I discovered my love of chia pudding! 🙌 I’ve given it a few chances over the years but could never get the consistency just right and I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about.  But I’m a sucker for a meal prep breakfast and was determined to figure this one out. 

Thankfully a fellow personal chef and longtime friend of mine @skusnic let me in on the secret of her ratios.  I still managed to botch her recipe because I can’t be bothered to follow a recipe to save my life (this is why I’m not a baker!) but it turned out fantastic nonetheless. 

I love how the bright winter citrus and tart pom seeds cut through the richness of the coconut. 🍊🥥And the honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to make you want to devour the whole batch! 🍯

🛑Make sure you hit the SAVE 👆🏻 button on this one!  I can’t wait to see how you customize it with your favorite flavors!

*Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and Pomegranate*
2/3 can of coconut milk 
1/2 cup of milk of your choice (I used skim bc it’s what I had)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup chia seeds
1.5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Pomegranate arils
Blood orange segments
Hemp hearts or flax seeds 

Combine coconut milk, milk, vanilla and chia seeds and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least six hours or over night.  Stir in honey and top with pomegranate seeds and orange segments. Top with hemp hearts or flax seeds (optional)

#chiapudding #chiaseedsbenefits #hemphearts #mealprepideas #breakfastmeal #mealpreps #mealprepsundays #makeaheadmeals #breakfasttime #vegetarianbreakfast #vegetarianrecipes #veganbreakfast #veganbreakfastideas #bloodoranges #bloodorange #pomegranateseeds #pomegranates #pomwonderful #hempheals #veganpudding #whatiateforbreakfast #whatiatetoday #mealprepinspo #mealpreping #mealprepmonday #mealprepmondays #breakfastinspo #getinmybelly😋 #eatwithyoureyes
Wishing you all the merriest Christmas! I’m so Wishing you all the merriest Christmas!  I’m so thankful for each and every one of you, especially this year.  During a time when we can’t be close to our loved ones, it makes me appreciate the connections I’ve made on here that much more!❤️❤️❤️ Love and joy to you all! 

Xoxo,
Katie
I don’t know about y’all but in our family, Ch I don’t know about y’all but in our family, Christmas breakfast is just as important as Christmas dinner!  Traditionally I make a strata because I can prep it all the night before and just pop it into the oven in the morning!  That way, I can enjoy our Christmas morning stress-free without fussing in the kitchen.

I’ve been making this bagels and lox strata for years and the flavor is out of this world!  Safe to say, it’s a family tradition.  I love using everything bagels for the extra flavor they bring to the table. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the flavors of smoked salmon, capers, and cream cheese. 

I throw a little spinach in the mix to amp up the green color and finish it off with fresh dill or chives for some extra herby goodness.  I think Chrissy Teigen has a similar recipe but this is my spin on things.

Everything Bagels and Lox Breakfast Strata
3 day old bagels cut into 3/4” cubes
5 eggs
1 3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp dijon mustard
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 small shallot, minced
2 tbsp capers
6 oz smoked salmon or lox
2 cups spinach, torn
4 oz cream cheese
EBTB seasoning
Fresh dill

Combine the eggs, milk, parmesan, dijon, salt, pepper, shallot and dijon and mix until smooth.  Grease a medium sized casserole dish, scatter the bagel pieces around the dish and pour the egg mixture over the top.  Scatter the spinach pieces, lox, and capers and gently stir into the bagel and egg mix. Top with dollops of cream cheese and additional everything but the bagel seasoning.

Cover and place in the fridge for at least two hours, or ideally overnight. 
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, like a cake, and not with raw eggs.

Top with the fresh dill and serve!

#strata #breakfastofchamps #christmasbreakfast #christmasmorning #makeaheadmeals #everythingbagel #ebtb #everythingbagelseasoning #easybreakfast #whatiateforbreakfast #whatsforbrunch #brunchgoals #brunchideas #brunching #christmasbrunch #christmasmeal #christmasrecipes #holidaybrunch #holidaymeals #holidayrecipes #holidayrecipe #foodblogger #mealpreps #mealprepideas #breakfastgoals #simplespoonfuls #foodstylingandphotography
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