Hey friends!
Welcome back to another delicious adventure in my kitchen. Today, we’re going to dive into a recipe that’s as good for your taste buds as it is for your body: Vegan Power Grain Rice Adventure! Get ready for a bowl of wholesome goodness that’s brimming with nutrients and flavor. 🌱🥄
### Vegan Power: Grains Rice Adventure!
First off, let me tell you how I came across this recipe. It all started last weekend when I randomly grabbed a mix of grains from the pantry (a rice blend I forgot I had bought ages ago) and thought, “Why not throw it all together and see what happens?” Spoiler alert: MAGIC happened! Now, it’s one of my go-to meals when I want something filling and nutritious.
#### Ingredients:
– 1 cup of mixed grains (brown rice, quinoa, wild rice)
– 2 cups of vegetable broth (for extra flavor, but water works too)
– 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
– 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cup of baby spinach
– 1 small red onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 avocado, sliced
– A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
– Juice of 1 lime
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: Nutritional yeast, hot sauce (for a kick!)
#### Instructions:
1. **Cook the Grains:** Let’s start by cooking the rice blend. Bring the 2 cups of vegetable broth to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Rinse the grains well under cold water, then add them to the pot. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for about 25-30 minutes or until the grains are tender and all the liquid is absorbed.
2. **Prepare the Veggies:** While the grains are cooking, let’s get to work on our veggies. Heat up the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Toss in the diced red onion and cook until it becomes translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant.
3. **Mix in the Flavor:** Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan and let them cook down for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften. Toss in the chickpeas and cook for an additional 5 minutes. I like to sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper at this stage.
4. **Wilt the Spinach:** Throw in the baby spinach and stir until it wilts (this only takes a minute or two). By now, your kitchen should smell AH-mazing!
5. **Combine Everything:** Once your grains are ready, add them to the veggie pan and mix everything together. This is where all the flavors start to meld into something truly special.
6. **Garnish & Serve:** Scoop your Vegan Power Grain mix into bowls. Top with avocado slices, a generous squeeze of lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast if you like a cheesy flavor. Add a dash of hot sauce if you’re in the mood for some heat.
#### Pro Tips:
– **Grain Variations:** Feel free to play around with different grains! Farro, bulgur, or even a multigrain mix can bring new textures and flavors to the dish.
– **Make it a Meal Prep:** This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Just portion it out into containers and you’ve got ready-to-go lunches for a few days.
– **Add Crunch:** For a crunchy twist, sprinkle some toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds on top. It adds a delightful crunch and more nutrients.
I hope you’re as excited as I am to give this a try. It’s a fantastic way to pack in the greens and grains, and it’s so flexible for whatever you have on hand. If you make this, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @SuburbanHealthyEats. I love seeing your recreations!
Till next tasty recipe, keep exploring and eating well!
Cheers,
[Your Name] 🌿💚