A healthy rainbow Baja Grain Bowl made with nutritious brown rice and quinoa, vitamin packed veggies including bell pepper, sweet potatoes, corn, avocado and red onion. And it also includes hearty black beans to make it more filling and add more fiber and protein.
Baja Bowl Inspired by Panera
These flavorful bowls, inspired by Panera version, include layer after layer of fresh flavor and a variety of textures. You get some nutty chewiness with the grains, tender softness and sweet flavor from the sweet potatoes, tart tang from the cilantro lime dressing, and a crisp bite from the fresh bell pepper and corn.
Collectively they create one beautifully colorful and deliciously satisfying grain bowl.
After you try this Mexican spin on grain bowls you can try building your own grain bowl from scratch. Wondering how to build a grain bowl? Simply include a base layer of grains, add fresh and/or roasted vegetables, a protein (such as legumes, meat, tofu, eggs) or cheese, fresh greens, and finish with a dressing or sauce of choice.
They make such a filling dinner and are an excellent option for make ahead meal prep for lunch too.
Possible Variations
To build these bowls include the grain and black beans, from there you can add your own substitutions:
Protein: These can also be made with chicken thighs or chicken breasts in place of the sweet potatoes, I've included instructions in the note of the recipe.
Cheese: You can add cheese such as feta, cheddar or queso fresco.
Sauces: They are also delicious with a heaping spoonful of salsa, pico de gallo or a finishing drizzle of Mexican hot sauce. If you want more creaminess try serving them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Veggies: You can subsistute some of the vegetables here for others you may have on hand, that's the beauty of a grain bowl. Poblano pepper, zucchini, winter squash, or tomatoes are a great fit.
Grains: These could also be made with farro or barley. Or you can use all brown rice or all quinoa rather than a blend.
Source: レシピ