Solstice Vegan Grain Bowl (Printable)

Hearty grains, seasonal vegetables, and creamy tahini dressing come together in this nourishing plant-based bowl.

# List of ingredients:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed (or brown rice)

→ Legumes

02 - 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed (1 can)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1 cup sweet potato, peeled and cubed
06 - 2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
07 - 1 small avocado, sliced
08 - 1/4 cup red cabbage, shredded

→ Tahini-Lemon Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons tahini
10 - 1 lemon, juiced
11 - 1 garlic clove, minced
12 - 2 tablespoons water (plus more as needed)
13 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Toppings

16 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, toasted
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps:

01 - Cook quinoa according to package directions. Fluff with fork and set aside to cool slightly.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
03 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, maple syrup, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add additional water for desired consistency.
04 - Divide cooked grains among serving bowls. Arrange chickpeas, roasted sweet potato, tomatoes, cucumber, spinach, red cabbage, and avocado on top.
05 - Drizzle with tahini-lemon dressing. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tahini dressing hits every note at once, creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, making even simple vegetables taste extraordinary
  • Its endlessly adaptable to whatever you have on hand, so it never feels repetitive even when you make it weekly
02 -
  • The tahini dressing will seize up and look curdled when you first add the lemon juice. Keep whisking and it will emulsify into a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Roasting your chickpeas for 10 minutes with a sprinkle of smoked paprika transforms them from ordinary to extraordinary, giving them a crispy exterior and deep flavor.
03 -
  • Season your grains while theyre still warm, as they absorb salt and flavor much better than when cooled
  • Let the roasted sweet potatoes cool for just 5 minutes before adding them to your bowl, so they retain some warmth but dont wilt the fresh vegetables

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