Meal Recipe: Beet and Barley Bowls Accompanied by Beet Green Pesto

Meal Recipe: Beet and Barley Bowls Accompanied by Beet Green Pesto

Here's a unique and nutritious recipe for Beet Green Pesto and ideas for Veg-Friendly Power Bowls that make use of this vibrant sauce.

Beet Green Pesto Recipe

This pesto is a twist on traditional Italian pesto, incorporating beet greens and cooked beets for a colourful and flavourful result.

Ingredients:

• Beet greens (from 1 bunch of beets, washed)
• 1-2 cooked beets
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup nuts (cashews, pine nuts, or pistachios)
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for vegans)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (or sesame oil for a flavor twist)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon juice for brightness

Instructions:

1. Wash beet greens thoroughly.
2. If using raw greens, you can blanch them quickly or use fresh for more bite.
3. Combine beet greens, cooked beets, nuts, garlic, and Parmesan in a food processor or blender.
4. Pulse to combine, then slowly add olive oil while blending until the pesto reaches desired consistency.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired.

This pesto can be used as a spread, dip, or sauce.

Veg-Friendly Power Bowls using Beet Green Pesto

These power bowls are tossed with the beet green pesto and offer a balanced, plant-forward meal.

Ingredients:

• Cooked whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, or farro
• Roasted or steamed vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and broccoli
• Plant-based protein source such as smoky tofu or tempeh, chickpeas, or black beans
• Seeds (pumpkin or sesame), nuts, and fresh salad greens or sprouts
• Optional: avocado slices and a squeeze of lemon or lime

Instructions:

1. Start with a base of cooked whole grains.
2. Add roasted or steamed vegetables.
3. Include a plant-based protein source.
4. Drizzle generously with beet green pesto.
5. Top with seeds, nuts, and fresh greens.
6. Optionally, add avocado slices and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Such bowls combine nutrient-dense vegetables, healthy fats, protein, and flavourful beet green pesto for a wholesome meal.

This approach uses beet greens (often discarded) and roasted beets to make a vibrant pesto, offering a delicious way to boost vegetable intake. The method of preparing beets and mushrooms is simpler and less messy compared to peeling and chopping them beforehand. Mushrooms add a richness and umami flavor to the dish, similar to what meat would provide. Blanching the greens removes any uncomfortable bitterness from the beet green pesto. Roasting beets can take an hour or more depending on their size. The beet green pesto is an ideal surface for smothering on these bowls, particularly when made with a tiny food processor. The power bowls are veg-friendly and full of flavour due to a base of sturdy, protein-rich barley, sweet roasted beets, and savoury roasted mushrooms.

1. Incorporating the Beet Green Pesto into a healthy-diets lifestyle can provide a unique twist to food-and-drink recipes, such as Veg-Friendly Power Bowls.
2. By preparing a healthy-diets meal using cooking methods like roasting beets and blanching greens, you can create nutritious and flavorful dishes, like these Veg-Friendly Power Bowls.
3. For those interested in science and health-and-wellness, understanding the nutritional benefits of ingredients like beet greens and experimenting with recipes like the Beet Green Pesto can contribute to a well-rounded, healthy-lifestyle.
4. By prioritizing a healthy-lifestyle that includes recipes like Beet Green Pesto, nutritious food-and-drink options can be integrated into daily meals, promoting overall health and wellness.

Read also: