No-Recipe Grain Bowl

What’s in a grain bowl? Well, there’s grain… and whatever else you like. No, seriously! That’s why this is a no-recipe recipe. 

A wooden bowl holds quinoa, delicata squash and a fork cutting open a soft-boiled egg.

You’ll start by choosing a grain.

Whole grains have the opportunity to take the stage here, so experiment with your co-op’s bulk section or your local farm grains – or use whatever you have in excess! Cook according to package directions, or simply cook as you would pasta, boiling in plenty of seasoned (salted) water until tender. 

A wooden bowl with tri-color quinoa
Here, we chose tri-color quinoa.

Now, add your veggies!

Leftovers star just as well as fresh veggies here, so if you have last night’s glazed carrots, toss them in. Cook your veggies whichever way you like best: roast your roots, blanch your green beans, or butter-poach your radishes – feel free to stay in your comfort zone or play a bit! 

A wooden bowl with delicata slices
Roasted delicata squash makes a great topping!

Time for a protein.

Again, lead with what’s in the fridge: bacon is great, and so is tofu! Poach a local egg for a double-duty protein; the yolk becomes an elegant sauce. 

A wooden bowl holds quinoa, delicate squash and an egg.
Soft-boiled or poached eggs add a saucy element.

Bring it all together with a sauce.

Make a pea shoot pesto or whisk together a pickle dressing. Use that vinaigrette you whipped up earlier this week, or simply your favorite sriracha sauce! Go with a fresh route and do a salsa. Whatever you choose, make sure there’s plenty to drizzle on top of your bowl.

A grain bowl in a wooden vessel with splashed sauce.
Have fun — we clearly did!

Et voila! Dinner – and you didn’t even need to grocery shop!