Black-Eyed Pea Grain Bowl (Printable Version)

Hearty grain bowl with black-eyed peas, farro, roasted vegetables, and fresh herbs for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup farro or wild rice, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Black-Eyed Peas

04 - 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed

→ Roasted Vegetables

05 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
08 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Fresh Herbs and Toppings

13 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
15 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
16 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine farro or wild rice, water or broth, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook according to package instructions, approximately 25 to 30 minutes for farro or 40 to 45 minutes for wild rice. Drain any excess liquid.
03 - While the grains cook, toss sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
04 - Roast vegetables in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
05 - Warm the cooked black-eyed peas in a small saucepan or microwave if desired.
06 - Divide the cooked grains among four bowls. Top with black-eyed peas and roasted vegetables.
07 - Garnish each bowl with fresh herbs, feta if using, and toasted seeds. Serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to get cozy with each other.
  • You can easily swap grains or vegetables depending on what's lurking in your pantry, so it never feels boring.
  • One bowl gives you enough protein and fiber to keep you satisfied through a busy afternoon.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned peas; that cloudy liquid clinging to them can make the bowl taste metallic or off somehow.
  • Spreading your vegetables in a single layer without crowding the pan makes all the difference between steamed and caramelized.
  • The bowl actually tastes better on day two when the grains have absorbed all the flavors and everything has melded together.
03 -
  • Toast your seeds in a dry skillet for just a couple of minutes before using them; it releases all their nutty flavor and makes them taste intentional rather than like an afterthought.
  • Keep your lemon wedges handy because a squeeze of brightness before each bite prevents the bowl from tasting heavy, even though it's actually quite hearty.
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