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Mediterranean Veggie Grain Bowls - Bright, Fresh, and Satisfying

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Grains: 1 cup uncooked quinoa, farro, or brown rice (about 3 cups cooked)
  • Veggies: 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 English cucumber (diced), 1 red bell pepper (diced), 1 small red onion (thinly sliced), 1 cup baby spinach or chopped romaine
  • Legumes: 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Briny bits: 1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives (sliced), 1/4 cup capers (optional)
  • Herbs: 1/2 cup fresh parsley (chopped), 2 tablespoons fresh mint or dill (chopped)
  • Creamy element: 1/3 cup feta, crumbled (or dairy-free feta)
  • Crunch: 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
  • Seasoning blend: 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (to balance)
  • 2–4 tablespoons cold water to thin
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional add-ins: Roasted zucchini or eggplant, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, pickled onions, or a dollop of hummus.

Method
 

  1. Cook the grains. Rinse quinoa or farro, then cook according to package directions with a pinch of salt. Fluff and let cool slightly so it doesn’t wilt the greens.
  2. Toast the nuts. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts or almonds for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and golden. Set aside to cool.
  3. Season the chickpeas. Pat chickpeas dry. Toss with cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Sauté in a little olive oil for 4–5 minutes until warm and slightly crisp, or roast at 400°F/200°C for 15–20 minutes for extra crunch.
  4. Chop the veggies. Halve the tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion. Roughly chop spinach or romaine if using larger leaves.
  5. Make the dressing. Whisk tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and maple syrup or honey. Add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dressing is pourable and silky. Season with a pinch of salt.
  6. Layer your bowls. Start with a scoop of grains, then add spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and chickpeas. Sprinkle on olives, capers, and herbs. Finish with feta and toasted nuts.
  7. Dress and serve. Drizzle with the lemon-tahini dressing. Toss gently in the bowl so every bite gets a little of everything. Taste and add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of salt if needed.