Looking for a hearty, satisfying, and nutritious meatless meal? A Farro Grain Bowl is the perfect choice! This ancient grain has been a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets for centuries. It is known for its chewy texture and nutty flavor. Farro is packed with fiber, protein, and essential nutrient. It makes a fantastic base for a wholesome, plant-based meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Why Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is something that people choose to do for many reasons. Reasons might include their health, saving money, or supporting a more sustainable food system. Whether you’re doing it for your health, the planet, or your budget, Meatless Monday is an easy and delicious habit to adopt!
Why Farro
Farro is a nutrient-dense whole grain that’s high in protein and fiber. It is an excellent alternative to rice or pasta. I like it because it doesn't give me the blood sugar spike that I get from eating rice. It’s also a great source of iron, magnesium, and B vitamins—ideal for keeping your energy levels up, especially on a meatless day. Plus, its chewy texture and slightly sweet, nutty taste make it a delicious foundation for grain bowls.
How to Make a Farro Grain Bowl
When cooking farro, the ratio is 1 cup of farro to 3 cups of liquid. It should be simmered in a large pan for 30-40 minutes. I used homemade broth instead of water. This helps boost the flavor but also the nutritional value in the farro.
While the farro is cooking, I cubed butternut squash and placed it on a baking sheet. I drizzled it with avocado oil and sprinkled it with salt/pepper. It should be cooked at 375 degrees until it is tender. After about 15 minutes, I added the other veggies to the baking pan. These veggies included shallots and rinsed chickpeas as well as kale that was tossed in oil, garlic, salt and pepper. These items should cook for about 10 minutes.
Zero Waste Produce Guide
If you are looking for information on how you should wash and store produce such as squash, shallots, and kale, be sure to check out my Zero Waste Produce Guide. It contains information for washing and storing 75 produce items. The book also has over 40 recipes for how to use your produce. It is available in The Cross Legacy Shop as well as on Amazon.
Farro Grain Bowl Dressing
The dressing for farro bowls is made with simple ingredients that you probably have on hand in your pantry. I keep my pantry stocked with ingredients so that I can be ready to make recipes without having to make a trip to the grocery store. I only shop once every three weeks which helps me to keep my grocery budget of $135/month.
To make the dressing, mix the following ingredients together:
- 1 clove of minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon of dijon
- ½ cup of fresh herbs (use what you have parsley, mint, thyme, basil)
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 Tbs of avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon each of salt/pepper to taste.
Serving the Farro Grain Bowls
To serve the bowls, place the farro at the bottom, add the vegetables from the oven and top with the dressing. These are delicious when served warm but can also be enjoyed cold as leftovers or lunches.
Have you ever tried a Farro Grain Bowl? Share in the comments!
Farro Grain Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 cup farro
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 butternut squash cubed
- 1 can chickpeas
- ¼ cup shallots
- 2 cups kale
- avocado oil
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
Dressing
- 1 clove minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ cup fresh herbs (parsley, mint, thyme, basil)
- 1 T avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- juice of one lemon
Instructions
- In a large pan, add 1 cup of farro and 3 cups of broth
- Simmer for 30-40 minutes
- While farro is cooking, cube butternut squash
- Place on a baking pan with avocado oil, salt, and pepper
- Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees
- Toss kale in avocado oil, garlic, salt, and pepper
- Add shallots, chickpeas, and kale to baking pan
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until everything is tender
- Mix all dressing ingredients in a bowl
- In your bowl place farro, vegetables, and top with dressing
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