Such a happy bowl! This is a really easy meal to throw together and it packs a lot of flavor!!
I watched "Down to Earth" w/ Zac Efron on Netflix this past weekend and am feeling inspired to make vegetables a more centric part of my diet rather than a side piece.
You'll need:
1 cup dry quinoa
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup diced sweet pepper
1 cup diced cucumber
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1 package lettuce mix
1 can black beans
1/2 cup feta cheese
Pesto vinaigrette:
1 tablespoon basil pesto
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
Instructions:
Add quinoa, brown rice, a tablespoon of avocado oil, 2 cups water, 1 cup chicken/ vegetable broth, pinch of salt, and Italian seasoning to a pot and bring to a boil. Once its boiling, lower it to a simmer, cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes until the water is fully absorbed.
While the quinoa is cooking away, dice your veggies and let the red onion sit in a bowl of cool water to take out the bite. I like to use a variety of small sweet bell peppers so I have red, orange, and yellow!
Rinse your beans and either microwave in a bowl or heat in a small pot on the stove.
Mix your dressing together either by stirring in a small bowl or by shaking it together in a container with a tight lid.
Chop your lettuce so its a better size for taking bites! Think of a chopped salad. I like to use a baby lettuce mix or romaine for this.
Assemble your bowls by adding quinoa and lettuce as the base then topping with your veggies / feta / beans - making this pretty is up to you, you can also toss it all together in a large salad bowl and call it a day! Drizzle some dressing and you're good to go :)
Optional add ins:
Chickpeas instead of black beans
Cherry tomatoes for you tomato people
Pickled Greek pepperoncini for a small kick
Fresh basil (chop with the lettuce)
