Hearty Winter Grain Bowl (Print Version)

Warm grains, roasted root vegetables, and vibrant greens with creamy tahini dressing

# Components:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro or quinoa
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Roasted Root Vegetables

03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 parsnips, peeled and diced
05 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Greens

10 - 4 cups kale or Swiss chard, stems removed and chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Dressing

14 - 1/4 cup tahini
15 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
16 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
17 - 2 tablespoons warm water, plus more as needed
18 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings

20 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
21 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
22 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss carrots, parsnips, and sweet potato with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - Rinse grains. In a medium saucepan, combine grains and broth or water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes for quinoa or 30 minutes for farro. Drain any excess liquid.
04 - In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add chopped greens and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, warm water, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Add more water for desired consistency.
06 - Divide warm grains between bowls. Top with roasted vegetables and sautéed greens. Drizzle generously with dressing.
07 - Garnish with pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, and parsley if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels nourishing without being heavy, the kind of meal that leaves you energized instead of sluggish.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled quickly, making weeknight dinners feel effortless.
  • The colors alone lift your spirits on the dreariest winter days.
  • You can swap almost any ingredient based on what you have, and it still turns out beautifully.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring the vegetables halfway through roasting, I learned this the hard way when half my sweet potatoes burned.
  • The dressing thickens as it sits, so whisk in a little more warm water right before serving if needed.
  • Make sure your greens are completely dry before sautéing or they'll steam instead of wilt properly.
03 -
  • Toast your pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet until they start to pop, it takes two minutes and makes them taste twice as good.
  • Use the warmest water you can for the dressing, it helps the tahini loosen up and blend smoothly without clumping.
  • If your tahini is thick and stubborn, whisk in the lemon juice first before adding the other ingredients, it emulsifies better that way.
Return