Lemon Vinaigrette Grain Bowls (Printable Version)

Fluffy grains topped with roasted chickpeas, fresh veggies, and zesty lemon vinaigrette for a nutritious, balanced dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, or brown rice, or farro
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Chickpeas

04 - 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables and Toppings

11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
13 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

17 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
19 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
20 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
21 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
22 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
23 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Pat chickpeas dry with a towel. In a bowl, toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy. Cool slightly.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Divide cooked grains among four bowls. Top with roasted chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, red onion, avocado, and parsley.
06 - Drizzle each bowl with lemon vinaigrette and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Those roasted chickpeas are addictive in a way that makes you reach for one more handful before the bowl is even finished.
  • You can have dinner ready in under an hour, and it actually feels like you cooked something impressive.
  • It's flexible enough to work with whatever vegetables are in your fridge, so you'll make it again and again without getting bored.
02 -
  • Roasting chickpeas requires patience and a good shake halfway through—rush this step and you'll end up with some burnt and some soggy, which defeats the whole purpose.
  • The vinaigrette is best made fresh, but it keeps in the fridge for three days, which means you can make the dressing ahead and still feel like you've accomplished something on a busy night.
03 -
  • Make your vinaigrette in a mason jar so you can shake it back together if the oil and lemon separate, and you have a container for leftovers.
  • Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before tossing them with the chickpeas to wake up their flavors and deepen the roast.
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