Green Goddess Grain Bowl

This cool and creamy grain bowl is a simple way to put your produce to good use. The green goddess dressing is the tangy ingredient that ties it all together. Make your own dressing or find it on the shelves of a local store. This substantial meal comes together in 20 minutes or less. The photo shows the ingredients packed into one nutrient-dense bowl. I recommend tossing the ingredients with the dressing and dividing it into two bowls. (Photo source: Laura Sitterly)

Yield: 2 servings | Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 cup mixed herbs, packed (cilantro, parsley, dill and/or mint)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground pepper, to taste

For the grain bowl:

1 bunch asparagus

1 tablespoon olive oil

Pinch of salt

1 cucumber

1 avocado

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 can (15 oz.) cannellini white beans, drained

2 cups cooked quinoa

Zero-waste tips:

You can keep the liquid from your can of cannellini white beans (also known as aquafaba) and use it as an egg substitute. Here are other egg substitute ideas.

Preparation

For the dressing:

Combine the ingredients in a food processor and blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Trickle in water if you’d like a thinner consistency

For the grain bowl:

Trim asparagus and chop it into 4-inch pieces. Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add asparagus and pinch of salt. Saute until bright green and remove from heat.

Slice however much of the cucumber and the avocado you want to eat.

Cook the quinoa by following package directions.

To assemble the plate, start with the cooked quinoa and layer on the asparagus, white beans, avocado, and cucumber. Add a dollop of the green goddess dressing, and squeeze on fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt. Toss, and enjoy.