Summer Grain Bowl

Happy Memorial Day!!

How do you celebrate/commemorate this special holiday?  I make red, heart shaped pancakes on Valentine's Day,  green milkshakes on St. Patrick's Day and mashed potato frosted meatloaf cupcakes on April Fool's Day so it should come as no surprise that I'd make something red, white and blue for Memorial Day.  🇺🇸

​I'm not so good at putting up holiday decorations around the house but I always make sure that we have a themed, color coordinated meal to celebrate special days.  😊 I mean is it really Easter without Jello eggs and sugar cookies decorated like vegetables?  🥕😅

Traditionally, people fire up their grill for Memorial Day and cook up burgers and meats. 🍔 So if you're looking for a healthy side dish or a vegetarian alternative, consider this delicious Summer Grain Bowl this weekend.   It's full of fresh summer vegetables, crispy spinach, crunchy seeds, savory goat cheese and a bright citrus herb vinaigrette. 🍋

I just love fresh summer produce.  After a trip to the strawberry farm this morning, I made a quick stop by the farmer's market on my way home.  I just can't resist a home grown watermelon, some freshly picked corn or a basket up perfectly ripe  tomatoes.  Now that my frig is stocked with fresh summer produce, I'm ready to make my red, white and blue summer grain bowl for my Memorial Day.  🌽🍅🥗

Summer Grain Bowl
1 cup pearled barley or farro
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup fresh corn
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
2 Tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds

Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
2 cups fresh basil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 whole lemon, juiced and zested
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil

Cook farro according to package directions.  

Combine basil, garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt in food processor. Pulse until combined.

Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the machine on until thoroughly combined.

Layer farro over spinach in bowl.

Sprinkle with corn and tomatoes.  

Sprinkle blueberries over top. 

Top with crumbled goat cheese and pumpkin seeds.

​Drizzle with lemon basil vinaigrette.

I'm rarely on time with my holiday blog posts. #obviously  Most of the time, I post my recipe 3-4 days AFTER a holiday.  😬 And yes, I'm aware that Memorial Day isn't until Monday - but better to be early than late I guess.  🤷🏻‍♀️ My excuse is that if I post early, you have time to go out and shop for ingredients and still make this delicious recipe for Memorial Day on Monday.  It was my plan all along.  😂

Ciao!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe