By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Every fall my Pinterest begins to show ideas for everything fall-themed. And amongst all the aesthetically pleasing pins are recipes for these super cute bounty bowls, or grain bowls. These are basically a warm bowl of cooked grains and then artfully topped with the bounty of fall including a protein, some seasonal vegetables, and a bunch of other cute toppings for added color, nutrition, and texture.
This Wheat Farmer’s Salad, another variation on the Bounty Bowl, is a creation of farmer Tiffany Shedd. Delightfully Yummy!
Needless to say, they’ve become something I love to make and experiment with every year. They’re so versatile and easy to make. You literally just add all your favorite toppings and leave off what you don’t like. And then you can have fun making it look cute in the bowl before you destroy it with a spoon!
Since you can practically make them however you want, there’s no exact recipe. So, here are a few guidelines or suggestions instead!
- Pick a grain or a blend of grains – Quinoa, brown rice, farro, and barley are a few good options!
- Get a nice, thick bowl – They look cuter and also insulate your hot food better!
- Add some protein – Grilled chicken, steak, salmon, or turkey are all great options.
- Top it with veggies – Sauteed or fresh greens such as spinach or kale are delicious, as is roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, carrots, or tomatoes. Dried or fresh fruit also adds a nice sweetness too!
- Add some texture – Chopped nuts, crumbled cheese, seeds, crusty bread pieces, or pomegranate seeds are all some yummy ways to add a different texture.
- Dress it up – Creamy dressings are always delicious on these kinds of bowls, but a light vinaigrette or just a simple drizzle of oil and vinegar is amazing too!
So, have fun making your bounty bowls and filling them with all the produce of the season! Arizona farmer’s markets are chock full of fun, delicious, and unique seasonal produce that is perfect for making these bowls. Check out the Fill Your Plate website for more info on local farmer’s markets!