• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Salads and Sides
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Vegetarian
    • Dessert
  • About Me
  • Batch Cooking For Beginners
  • Weekly Batch Cooking

Simple Spoonfuls logo

May 30, 2020

Summer Grain Bowl with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Share
Pin238
238 Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 paid 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.
4.38 from 8 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!
Share
Pin238
238 Shares

Filed Under: Lunch, Salads and Sides, Vegetarian Tagged With: buddha bowl, grain bowl, salad, summer, vegetarian

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan says

    May 30, 2020 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    Looks amazing and so healthy!

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Clack says

      May 30, 2020 at 11:18 pm

      Thanks! I hope you try it!

      Log in to 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.

    Log in to Reply
  3. Taisiya Feskov says

    October 5, 2020 at 2:52 am

    5 stars
    This salad bowl is amazing! I prepared it today and was so delighted ! My whole family enjoyed it! even my 2 year old son had a good portion and enjoyed. And as you might know its hard to please 2 year olds 🙂 (well, at least in my case)
    Thank you Katie for sharing such great recipe!

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Clack says

      April 10, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      That’s amazing! So happy to hear your whole family enjoyed it! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  4. Jesse says

    April 10, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    5 stars
    Great balance of flavors! And so quick and easy!!

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Clack says

      April 10, 2021 at 8:15 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Loren says

    June 4, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of our favorite summer throw together dinners!!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

simple_spoonfuls

#ad | I find myself making these ahi tuna tostadas #ad | I find myself making these ahi tuna tostadas all summer long when I don’t feel like standing in front of a hot stove or bbq. Thanks to @sanjtamari’s newest product, Umami Tamari Splash, it adds just the extra bite of flavor in the summertime for these yummy ahi tuna tostadas.

Not only are they so incredibly quick and easy to assemble, but it makes for a beautiful combo of flavors and textures. The mild heat from the wasabi crema helps cut through the buttery richness of the ahi tuna and the crunchy tostada is the perfect vehicle! I marinate the tuna in the new @sanjtamari newest product Umami Tamari Splash, which adds such a boost of flavor thanks to the red miso, black garlic, kombu and shiitake. It makes for such an easy dipping sauce or you can drizzle it right over the top of your grilled meats and veggies.

I love that @sanjtamari Umami Tamari Splash is organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO, and always easy to find @wholefoods. Shop @sanjtamari at your local @wholefoods: ff.recipes/sanjtamarisplash-wf and find the recipe here: (https://ff.recipes/ahituna-tostadas-wasabi-crema)

#sanjtamari #sanjtamarisplash @thefeedfeed #feedfeed #tuna #tostada #pescatarian #summerrecipes #summerrecipeidea #prettyfoodtastesbetter #prettyfood  #ahituna #ahipoke #easyrecipes #wasabi #glutenfreerecipe #tamari
The classic Caesar salad gets a major makeover wit The classic Caesar salad gets a major makeover with everything bagel croutons, flakey chunks of salmon topped with everything bagel seasoning, and hearty kale. 🥬🥯🐟. Parmesan and avocado round it out into the most delicious summer salad. 🥑🧀🥗. All you need is a crisp glass of white wine and you’re all set! You’ll want to add this to your summer salad rotation! 🙌

Full recipe in my bio!

#salmonrecipe #salmonrecipes #saladporn #saladsofinstagram #summersalad #caesarsalad #pescatarian #bagellover #bagellove #whatsfordinnertonight #itswhatsfordinner #feedfeed #kalerecipes #salmondinner #salmonsalad
Peas are like a seasonal poster child for spring p Peas are like a seasonal poster child for spring produce.  The only problem is that I grew up thinking peas were a disgusting, mushy, side dish.  No offense grandma! 

So I turned to my fool proof method of adding bacon (or in this case pancetta), lots of shallots, garlic, and fresh herbs in order to give veggies a makeover.  Don’t sleep on the mint in this recipe!  It’s just what it needs to round out the salty, savory flavors and add a pop of freshness so it tastes like a bite of spring in every bite.  I hope you like it as much as we do!

Simple ✅  6 ingredients ✅ Quick ✅ Excuse to eat bacon ✅ 

Comment “PEAS PLS” if you want the recipe it make it yourself! 

#peas #springrecipes #springinspiration #springinspired #eattheseasons #pancetta #freshherbs #eatgreen #eatyourveggies #springfever #easyrecipes #easysidedish #sidedish #sidedishes
Still not sure what to make for Mother’s Day bru Still not sure what to make for Mother’s Day brunch?  I’ve got you covered with my smoked salmon and goat cheese frittata.  Not only is it super easy to make but it has incredible flavor in each salty, creamy, herby bite. It makes for a beautiful presentation topped with fresh dill and everything but the bagel seasoning.  Just wait for the jaws to drop when you bring it to the table!

Full recipe in my bio! 

#brunchrecipes #brunch #brunchvibes #breakfastrecipes #pescatarian #mothersday #prettyfood #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #smokedsalmon #goatcheese #ebtb
Show your mom some love by baking her this gorgeou Show your mom some love by baking her this gorgeous blood orange loaf! She’ll love that you made the effort to bake something and the fact that it tastes like a million bucks doesn’t hurt either.  Paired with a bouquet of flowers, this pink-hued loaf is the way to your mama’s heart!💕

#mothersdaycake #mothersdaygiftideas #citruscake #bloodorange #bloodoranges #prettyfood #bakingfun #prettyfood #prettyfoodtastesbetter #pinkdessert #bakedwithlove❤️ #bakedwithlove #lovelanguages
Think you don’t like anchovies? 🐟 Maybe it’ Think you don’t like anchovies? 🐟 Maybe it’s time to give them another try! The trick is to find high quality anchovies so there’s no fishy or metallic taste, just salty, buttery, melt in your mouth goodness.  The other key is to chop them up finely so they blend in super well.

When it comes to this bread dip, I never actually measure anything, and you can customize it so many different ways with what you have on hand. Try, throwing in some chopped up olives are capers! Serve with a big ol ball of burrata! 🧀🤤 Leave out what you don’t like and make it your own. 

 Just use a chunk of bread to taste and measure as you go 🥖
#breaddip #breadislife #breadislove #carblover #carbloading #mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanfood #italianfoodporn #viralrecipe #anchovies #appetizerideas #appetizer
Running out of ideas for how to make the most of a Running out of ideas for how to make the most of asparagus season? I’ve got you covered with this shaved asparagus salad. 🥗 You’ll toss thin ribbons of asparagus (the thicker stalks are easiest to peel) with this lemon vinaigrette, arugula, avocado, pistachio, fresh mint, goat cheese and sliced radish. For an over-the-top presentation, throw in a few pansies for a pop of color and some major wow factor! 🤩🌸

Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette🍋
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tbsp minced shallot
1 minced garlic clove
1 tbsp champagne vinegar
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil

#saladporn #saladsofinstagram #asparagusrecipes #asparagusseason #saladideas #saladrecipe #saladrecipes #eatseasonally #prettyfoodtastesbetter #prettyfood
Ever wondered what to do with the abundance of rhu Ever wondered what to do with the abundance of rhubarb growing in your garden this spring? I’ve got you covered with this bubbly Rhubarb French 75 cocktail!  As a bonus, my kiddos love the rhubarb syrup mixed with lemonade or ginger ale as a tasty non alcoholic drink too!

Ingredients
2oz gin
2 oz of champagne or Prosecco 
2 oz of rhubarb syrup (or more if you like it sweeter)
squeeze of fresh lemon
ribbons of fresh rhubarb for garnish
 
Add rhubarb syrup to the bottom of the glass
Add gin and lemon juice, stir
Top with champagne and enjoy

Rhubarb Syrup
4 cups chopped fresh rhubarb
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon pink peppercorns

Mix all ingredients into a pot on the stove on medium high for 20-25 minutes stirring frequently so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Strain mixture.  Store rhubarb syrup, up to ten days in the fridge.

#rhubarb #rhubarbseason #rhubarbe #french75 #champagne #champagnelover #prosecco #prosecco🍾 #proseccotime #cocktailrecipes #springrecipes #seasonalcooking #seasonalcocktails
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Don’t Miss These!

close up image of three red beets

How to Cook Beets and 3 Ways to Use Them

Vegetarian lasagna soup in a bowl with ricotta cheese on top.

Vegetarian Lasagna Soup

Protein overnight oats in mason jars.

Protein Overnight Oats

overhead shot of chicken in pan with blood orange slices on top

Cast Iron Blood Orange Chicken Recipe

Categories

  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Dessert
  • Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Lunch
  • Salads and Sides
  • Sauces & Dips
  • Snacks
  • Vegetarian
  • Weekly Batch Cooking

Recent Posts

  • Furikake Salmon
  • Tropical Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
  • Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Chicken
  • Smoked Salmon Frittata
  • Blood Orange Yogurt Loaf

Most Popular Recipes

white bowl filled with Mediterranean tuna salad

Tuna Salad Without Mayo

Golden brown smashed fingerling potatoes on a cookie sheet.

Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme