Winter Grain Bowl with Kale & Butternut Squash
The perfect winter salad with a mix of kale, butternut squash, brown jasmine rice, red onions, pomegranates, and vegan feta.
What’s a grain bowl? The ultimate healthy and balanced meal idea, grain bowls are nutrient-packed combinations of whole grains, proteins, and veggies.
The perfect grain bowl is created using carefully selected colors, contrasts, textures, and flavors.
They’re incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to your taste preferences. There’s a grain bowl for every season and occasion! Additionally, grain bowls are excellent for meal prep and make a lunch that’s worth looking forward to.
Benefits of Plant-Based Grain Bowls
Don’t underestimate the power of a hearty grain bowl to leave you feeling sustained, energized, and satisfied for hours.
Packed with fiber, protein, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals, this nutrient-rich meal will ensure that your body is getting ample TLC on the toughest winter days.
Consider trying this delicious wintry dish if you’re looking for a healthy, plant-based meal full of powerful super foods. As a result, you will feel your mental and physical well-being elevate.
The best grain bowl for the snowy, wintry season includes root vegetables, seasonal fruit, dark leafy vegetables, and dense grain.
This hearty winter grain bowl is full of colorful, vibrant whole foods that perfectly complement each other’s flavors and textures.
To make this comforting meal, simply combine kale, butternut squash, brown rice, pomegranate seeds, red onion, hemp seeds, vegan feta, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil.
Winter Grain Bowl with Kale, Butternut Squash & Brown Rice
Recipe Author: Nicole Riggs
The perfect winter salad with a mix of kale, butternut squash, brown jasmine rice, red onions, pomegranates, and vegan feta.
Equipment
Oven
Medium pot
Cutting board
Measuring cups
Ingredients
1 cup kale chopped
1 cup butternut squash roasted
3/4 cup jasmine brown rice
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup vegan feta
2-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt
cracked pepper
Instructions
Roast your butternut squash in the oven at 400 F for about 40 minutes or until softened. We highly recommend roasting a whole butternut squash by cutting lengthwise, scooping out the seeds, and placing flesh side down on a baking sheet greased in olive oil. Store leftover cooked butternut squash in the fridge for up to a week.
While squash is roasting, prepare your brown rice. Cook according to instructions on packaging, or bring 1 1/2 cups of water and 3/4 cup of rice to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes.
Cut butternut squash into cubes and season with sea salt and cracked pepper.
Chop kale and massage thoroughly with apple cider vinegar.
In a bowl, add brown rice, butternut squash, kale, red onions, vegan feta, pomegranate seeds and extra-virgin olive oil. Toss and enjoy!
Meal-Prepping Your Grain Bowl
Looking for tasty, seasonal meals that you can easily prepare in advance for your busy weeks ahead?
Look no further. Our protein-packed grain bowl is the perfect meal to prep ahead that’ll get you through even the dreariest of days.
Our recipe below measures the ingredients for a single-serving grain bowl. However, feel free to double, triple, or quadruple the measurements for a week of meal prep.
Start by cooking ahead and preparing your brown jasmine rice and butternut squash, then storing in a microwave-safe container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave when ready to enjoy.
In a separate container, add your mixture of massaged kale in apple cider vinegar, pomegranate seeds, red onion, vegan feta, and hemp seeds. I find that apple cider vinegar itself makes a sufficient, complimentary dressing in this grain bowl, but if you prefer more liquid, add a light drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil on the bottom of your container before adding your mixture of ingredients. (This will prevent excess soaking).
Lastly, store microwave-safe container and salad mixture container in the fridge until ready to heat, combine and serve.
This recipe is the most comforting, flavorful, and satisfying meal, full of unique flavors in every bite. Adding this winter grain bowl to your meal prep routine is something that will boost your mood on chilly days, making you feel warm and nourished inside. Above all, it’s simple, fun, and easy to make!
For more comforting winter recipes:
Savory Cashew Alfredo Pasta with Brussels Sprouts
