Courtney Johnson . Aug 27 . 1 year ago Share Post

Summer Nourish Bowl

@cokocooks

It is almost the end of summer, but this Summer Nourish Bowl is a healthy and easy go to meal. Fresh cherries were such a treat as a kid because they can be a bit pricey. For some reason I haven’t gotten cherries in a while, and this year I was quickly reminded how much I love them. They are sweet and just slightly tart, and exactly what inspired this recipe. Hopefully many more to come, but this Summer Nourish Bowl is a great start.

Ingredients for Summer Nourish Bowl

The cherries are such a vibrant and colorful mix to the salad. Plus they add a good punch of sweetness with the other savory flavors. If cherries are out of season, you could also add dried cherries or cranberries. For substance and to make this nourish bowl a little more satisfying are some roasted sweet potatoes and quinoa. I love sweet potatoes in salads because they add a great texture, and make the salad a little more filling. Quinoa provides a little extra protein, and also make a great base for all the other flavors. For the green element in this bowl is fresh arugula which adds a peppery punch. I also love adding fresh herbs to a salad, and with summertime still here mint has been my go to. To finish this recipe off is some chopped almonds and a little feta. In my opinion every salad needs a little crunch, and almonds are one of my favorites to use in salad.

Summer Nourish Bowl Before assembly

Now lets talk about the dressing. This dressing kind of came together on a whim. Since I am currently doing a dairy free and plant based diet, I wanted something creamy and fresh. This dressing turned out exactly how I wanted for this salad. The base is a can of chickpeas which make a great base for extra protein and nutrients. The packed flavor in this dressing comes from fresh mint, garlic, and lemon juice. All those summertime flavors in jar is sure to make the dressing stand out. A little tahini is added for creaminess and makes it an almost hummus like texture. You can always thin the dressing out with a little water, but I like how the thickness binds to all the ingredients in this bowl.

Summer Nourish Bowl before dressing

If your looking for a healthy and nourishing recipe, this is a delicious meal to try. It is perfect for meal prep for lunches or to have leftovers for the week. There is no shortage of fresh and vibrant ingredients in the Summer Nourish Bowl, and I can’t wait for the recipe to be on repeat in my house hold. For another healthy meal, try my Buddha Bowl for some different flavors.

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Summer Nourish Bowl

A healthy meal filled with healthy and fresh summery ingredients

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Servings

Ingredients

1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups arugula
1 cup fresh cherries pitted and halved
2 large sweet potatoes
1/2 cup roasted almonds
1/2 cup feta cheese use dairy free if vegan
.5 oz fresh mint leaves

Creamy Mint Dressing

1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
2 heaping tbsp tahini
1 lemon
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup fresh mint
salt and pepper to taste
water to thin

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop sweet potatoes and add to a roasting pan. Spray with avocado oil and a sprinkle of salt. Place in the oven to roast for about 30-40 minutes flipping halfway until golden brown.
Cook quinoa according to package instructions in water or broth.
While the sweet potatoes roast and the quinoa cook, add all the dressing ingredients to a blender except water. Slowly add water till desired consistency.
To build a bowl, add quinoa, sweet potatoes, arugula, feta, chopped mint, cherries, and almonds. Top with dressing and enjoy.
Should serve about 4 bowls. Keep ingredients separate if storing leftovers.

Enjoy!

* Follow me on instagram @_cokocooks or feel free to ask questions or leave any comments!

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