This Green Goddess Grain Bowlis the perfect warm, nourishing, plant-forward meal and incredibly flavorful as well. Full of dark leafy greens, whole grains, and creamy Green Goddess dressing, this bowl combines healthy fats, fiber, and plant-based protein for stamina as well as vitamins and minerals to help keep you going.
The Green Goddess Grain Bowl: whether you prefer it as a power-packed lunch, a satiating dinner, or just as the ultimate feel-good meal to energize your day — this recipe has got it all! Idealfor anyone who loves to eat clean, regardless of whether you are a plant-based eater or looking to bring more whole foods into your diet.
These bowls are very versatile and you can use any type of food you like. The mix of leafy greens, warmed grains and crunchy vegetables provide a delectable texture as well as a range of flavors that pair perfectly with the creamy green goddess dressing. In this post, we will be diving deep into the recipe, so you can see why it is a great meal to add to your arsenal of healthy dishes.
The Green Goddess Grain Bowl and Why it is a Nutritional Superfood
Featuring some great, fresh ingredients that no doubt will do wonders for your well being:
Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and arugula have vitamins A, C, and K and antioxidants that promote good health as well as immunity.
Grain: Quinoa, farro, or brown rice work well to create a hearty and filling button that provides both fiber for satiety and lasting energy all-day responsive.
Foods you should be eating today Healthy Fats: The Green Goddess dressing, made with things like an avocado, olive oil and fresh herbs provide healthy fats that help with brain function and skin health.
Vegan / Vegetarian: This bowl would be perfectfor those looking to add more plant-based protein from ingredients like quinoa, edamame, and chickpeas.
Basil, parsley, and cilantro all have pungent, pleasant aromas that arise from beneficial plant antioxidants which can reduce harmful inflammation.
Ingredients
Green Goddess Grain Bowl:
For the Bowl:
1 Cooked Cup of Quinoa, Farro or Brown Rice
2 cups mixed greens (spinach, kale, arugula etc..)
1/2 cup edamame, shelled
1/2 avocado, sliced
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 c cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup chickpeas (optional for protein)
2 tablespoons pumpkin or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese or plant-based (optional)
Green Goddess Dressing
1/2 ripe avocado
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Full-fat Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free) 1/4 cup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Water to thin, as needed
Instructions
1. Prepare the Grains:
Prepare your grain of choice as directed on the package. A bowl over farro, quinoa or brown rice. Combine the grains a large bowl and fluff with a fork to cool.
2. For the Green Goddess Dressing:
Place the avocado, basil, parsley, cilantro, greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice garlic salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth and thick. If too thick, then add just one tablespoon of water at a time until it has silky consistency. Season to taste if necessary.
3. To build the Green Goddess Grain Bowl:
In a bowl, layer your base grain (at the bottom on this post) Evenly distribute your amount of steamed mixed leafy greens.
Place the edamame, avocado slices, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots and chickpeas on top of the greens.
Top with pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch and, if using, crumbled feta (or a plant-based alternative).
4. Drizzle and Serve:
Green Goddess Dressing (drizzle over the top of the bowl — I try to cover most of the ingredients evenly)
Now serve and relish the fresh, vibrant taste of this healthy meal.
The Green Goddess Grain Bowl provides several nutritional benefits
This grain bowl might be easy on the eyes but it’s also pretty hard at work in your body too! Here’s why:
High in Fiber: The whole grains, leafy greens, and vegetables provide plenty of fiber to this bowl. High in fiber, they are also essential for digestion, contribute to developing a healthy gut, and make you feel full longer.
Grilled Porcini Bowl (Vegan and Vegetarian), this bowl is even more filling than our house salads, the quinoa, chickpeas and edamame in it are a good source of protein which will keep you full for hours.
Full of Healthy Fats: The avocado and olive oil in the Green Goddess dressing are full of these monounsaturated fats, which are good for your heart and can help lower levels bad cholesterol.
Anti-Oxidant-Rich: Leafy greens, fresh herbs and vegetableslike tomatoes and carrots are packed with antioxidants to help protect your cells from free radical damage. Antioxidants also ensure a proper immune function and work towards prevention of long-term diseases.
Whole Grains: By utilizing whole grains such as quinoa or farro rather than refined carbohydrates, this bowl is void of blood-sugar-crashing, refined carbohydrates that provide only a short-lived burst of energy.
Green Goddess Grain Bowls Meal Prep Friendly!
Green Goddess Grain Bowl – Meal Prep Style! Everything in the bowl is perfect to make ahead, so you can throw together a perfectly: light and healthy meal when a craving strikes.
Grains: Make a big pot of quinoa or farro (I also love Basmati, even though I have not tried making it in bulk yet) on Sunday and store for easy reheating. Lasts for 5 days, so you can easily put together a meal fast!
Vegetables: cut vegetables and portion them into bags — just an easy way to speed up the cooking process later on. Scientific name: Spinach, Kale*How to Store Leafy greens like spinach and kale are so easy to store!
For the Green Goddess dressing, you can make it a few days ahead and store it in an air-tight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. If this occurs, stir it some water and then use.
This makes it quick and easy for you to have a nutritious, home-cooked meal even on your busiest days. Put the bowl together, drizzle with that dressing and you are good to go.
How to Make a Green Goddess Grain Bowl Your Own
Variety of Grains:Instead of limiting your grain choice to quinoa and brown rice, try new and different varieties like bulgur or barley, or even make a switch with millet.
Add Some Spice: If you enjoy heat, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes over your bowl with the Green Goddess dressingor stir in hot sauce.
Add Grilled Chicken, Tofu or Protein of Choice:To make this a higher protein option, think about grilling up some chicken in advance and adding on top.
Swap Out the Veggies:The bowl is highly customizable so choose based on what’s in season or available to you. If desired, add in some roasted sweet potatoes, zucchini or beets.
Vegan / Dairy-Free: To make this bowl completely vegan, replace the Greek yogurt in the dressing with a dairy-free alternative such as coconut yogurt and leave out the feta cheese.
Conclusion
This Green Goddess Grain Bowl is the epitome of a perfect mix and match, customizable bowl loaded with fresh greens, whole grains, and colorful veggies then finished off with a luscious Green Goddess dressing. This is for you if you want to have a healthy vegan meal and feel nourished after!
From lunch and dinner to meal prep, these bowls can be customized to meet your dietary needs and preferences. While Green Goddess Grain Bowl is rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein that leaves you feeling full of energy and satisfied- this makes a great option as part of your regular eating habits.
