healthy fall ancient grain bowl

Name: healthy fall ancient grain bowl
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 6 cups shredded kale; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 butternut squash (peeled and cubed); 1/4 cup wheat berries; 1/4 cup barley; 1 cup raw green beans (chopped); 1/4 cup sunflower seeds; 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds; 1/4 cup dried cranberries; 4 tbsp honey dijon dressing

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this ancient grain bowl is the perfect lunch bowl or side dish during the holiday season. easy to make and filled with nutritious ingredients!

with this bowl being filled with roasted butternut squash, seeds and organic ancient grains, it screams nutritious and health centric. however, it does not disappoint in flavor. this recipe is made to make two servings but with the amazing flavors, it will be a crowd pleaser. with that in mind, the recipe can be adjusted if you have a bigger family or want to bring the recipe to a family gathering.

when hosting or attending a gathering, you want to make something that everyone will love. with all the different diet preferences these days, that is not an easy task! this recipe features both barley and wheat berries, adding not only a delicious flavor but plant-based protein as well to keep this recipe vegan-friendly.by satisfying a variety of diet preferences, this ancient grain bowl will keep the crowd happy and effort to a minimum!

kale quinoa bowl (high-protein and vegan-friendly)
roasted vegetable wild rice bowl
vegan spiced lentil curry in a sweet potato boat
lentil bolognese
pumpkin chili, vegan and gluten-free

ingredients

barley
wheat berries
kale
raw green beans
butternut squash
pumpkin seeds
sunflower seeds
cranberries
honey dijon dressing
olive oil

bowl with kale, roasted squash, grains, seeds and toppings

substitutions

instead of seeds, add nuts to still have a great crunch factor
the dried cranberries can be swapped for any dried fruit (i recommend apricots, cherries or chopped dates)
sweet potato would be a great alternative to the butternut squash (or any root vegetable!)
the kale can be swapped for your favorite greens such as spinach or swiss chard. a stronger green is best when combining with the other ingredients so that the greens don't get lost in the mix
don't like green beans? raw asparagus would be a great swap to keep it light, refreshing and have a crunch

frequently asked questions

how long does it take to make an ancient grain bowl?

the most time consuming part of this recipe is waiting for the two ancient grains and butternut squash to cook. besides those ingredients, this recipe is quick and when you have the grains already prepared this is very minimal waiting time until you can eat this delicious, fall harvest bowl.

how many calories are in a harvest bowl?

this bowl is filled with tons of delicious ingredients that are also nutritious. the two ancient grains are higher in calorie but also add great nutritional value to your diet. if you use a low-calorie dressing like the one i linked above, it will keep the calories lower in the bowl. (this bowl has ~500 calories)

are ancient grain bowls healthy?

like everything else you eat...healthy in moderation! by portioning out the grains, veggies and dressing this will be a healthy and nutritious meal.

is a harvest bowl good left over?

yes! this recipe is perfect to meal prep and have throughout the week. just make sure to not mix in the dressing until you plan to eat the bowl, everything else can be put together ahead of time.

how should i store my ingredients?

all of the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and stored in a single airtight container. add the dressing at the time you plan to eat the bowl so avoid soggy ingredients.

if you try this recipe, please leave a rating and comment below!