These Grain Bowl Recipes Are A Must Try

Grain bowls are the perfect meal for any college student. They're easy to compose, can be very adaptable to whatever foods you love and are also super healthy.

Grains are filled with many nutrients including fiber, protein, vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate) and minerals (such as iron, magnesium and selenium). These recipes are composed with quinoa, jasmine rice and brown rice, but you can use any grain you like. I often love to use other grains such as barley, wheat berry, millet, couscous, farro and bulgur.

Try these grain bowls for yourself or get creative and design your own.

Greek (Quinoa) Bowl with Herb Tahini Dressing

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:15 mins
• Total Time:20 mins
• Servings:2
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa dry
• 1 Cucumber chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
• 1/3 cup kalamata olives chopped
• 1 cup chickpeas
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 1 cup dill
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

• Step 1

  Cook the quinoa. Set aside when done.

  

• Step 2

  Chop the cucumbers, tomatoes and olives. Finely chop the red onion.

• Step 3

  Chop the parsley and dill.

• Step 4

  In a blender, combine the parsley, dill, tahini, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper to make the dressing.

• Step 5

  Put the quinoa in a bowl.

• Step 6

  Assemble the vegetables and the chickpeas on top of the quinoa. Drizzle with dressing.

  

Asian (Jasmine Rice) Bowl with Peanut Dressing

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:30 mins
• Total Time:35 mins
• Servings:2
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup jasmine rice dry
• 1 cup carrots shredded
• 1 1/2 cups red cabbage shredded
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 1 cup peas
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 1/2 cup hot peppers
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

• Step 1

  Cook the rice. Set aside when done.

  

• Step 2

  Shred the carrots and cabbage (you can often find them pre-shredded). Cut the hot peppers; I used pickled jalapeños.

• Step 3

  Sauté the mushrooms and peas in olive oil.

• Step 4

  In a blender, combine the peanut butter, oil, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to make the dressing.

• Step 5

  Put the rice in a bowl.

• Step 6

  Assemble the carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, peas, peanuts and peppers on the rice. Drizzle with dressing.

  

Mexican (Brown Rice) Bowl with Chipotle Lime Dressing

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:30 mins
• Total Time:35 mins
• Servings:2
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice dry
• 1/2 cup avocado diced
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 cup black beans
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup bell peppers diced
• 1 cup onions diced
• 1 Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

• Step 1

  Cook the rice. Set aside when done.

  

• Step 2

  Cut the onion and bell pepper and sauté in a splash of olive oil. In a separate pan, sauté the spinach.

• Step 3

  Cut the avocado and tomatoes.

• Step 4

  In a blender, combine the chipotle pepper, lime juice, oil, vinegar, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper to make the dressing.

• Step 5

  Put the rice in a bowl.

• Step 6

  Assemble the sautéed vegetables, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado on top of the rice. Drizzle with dressing.

  

These three grain bowls are just an easy start. A perfect and healthy meal for any college student. The bowls are all vegan but feel free to add anything else you would like. Try them for yourself and go ahead and make up your own.