MEDITERRANEAN GRAIN BOWL RECIPE

I love a grain bowl for lunch with all the delicious dips and sauces on top! This Mediterranean grain bowl recipe is a copycat of my favorites from Cava and Mezeh enjoyed at home. 

Mediterranean Grain Bowl Recipe

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Grain Bowls For Lunch!

My very favorite lunch spots are Mediterranean quick service restaurants that feature salads and grain bowls and a choose-your-own adventure toppings bar packed with dips. Cava and Mezeh are two of the best. Man oh man I love for the Turkish yogurt dip and roasted eggplant at Mezeh, and the dressings at Cava are so delish! This Mediterranean grain bowl recipe is inspired by those bowls.

Mediterranean Grain Bowl Recipe

MEDITERRANEAN GRAIN BOWL RECIPE

The grain bowl recipe is perfect as a prep day meal. I used a quinoa buckwheat blend that I made in my rice cooker the night before. When it was lunch time I simply warmed the grains, added greens and toppings, and topped it with dips and dressing. Like the Panera Mediterranean bowl, this recipe calls for a lemon tahini dressing. You can make that in advance too!  

In addition to being easy to assemble, you can mix and match toppings based on what you have on hand. Use anything you have in your pantry – from kalamata olives in a jar to canned artichoke hearts or hearts of palm to roasted red peppers. For toppings go with something red, a bell pepper or tomatoes when in season, and something green, such as cucumber, avocado, and fresh parsley.

Mediterranean Grain Bowl Recipe

GRAIN BOWL NUTRITION

I love a 50/50 ratio of grains to greens. You get the fresh healthy salad nutrition with the warming lasting energy from the grain side. Perfect for chilly days when an ice cold salad is out of the question. The toppings bring in antioxidants, healthy fats, and flavor. Healthy fats come from avocado and olives (if using), carbs and protein from quinoa, and protein from feta, hummus, and yogurt-based tzatziki dip. Antioxidants abound from herbs, greens, and veggies. 

Grain Bowl Nutrition

HOW TO MAKE YOUR MEDITERRANEAN GRAIN BOWL

GRAIN BOWL INGREDIENTS

Quinoa – I used a blend of red and white quinoa with buckwheat mixed in

Cucumber – peel and slice

Arugula

Red bell pepper – chopped or sliced

Canned artichokes, drained

Avocado – sliced

Crumbled feta cheese 

Hummus

Tzatziki dip

Fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper