Grain bowl
This delicious grain bowl is very easy to put together and really satisfying at the same time. It is made with wheat berries and topped with cold-smoked salmon, rich cheese, crisp vegetables, and a smooth pea cream. A generous drizzle of dill dukkah at the end adds just enough warmth and flavour to pull everything together.
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Ingredients
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225 g
Wheat berries
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300 g
Mixed vegetables, for example, cauliflower, radishes, carrots
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250 g
Fresh asparagus
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65 g
Baby spinach
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150 g
Mature Cheddar or aged havarti cheese, grated
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300 g
Cold smoked salmon, sliced
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Fresh dill
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Pea cream
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125 g
Frozen green peas
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1
Garlic clove
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1 tsp
Lemon juice
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2 tbsp
Olive oil
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Salt
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Black pepper
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Dill dukkah
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4 tbsp
Hazelnuts
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4 tbsp
Sesame seeds
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1 tsp
Dill seeds
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1 tsp
Fennel seeds
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1 tsp
Cumin seed
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1 tsp
Flake salt
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Instructions
Pea cream
Dill dukkah
To serve
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
A high-speed blender or a small food processor will break the peas down smoothly, especially if you begin on a lower setting and gradually increase the speed. Stop once or twice to scrape down the sides to keep the texture even. You can also blend the cottage cheese in from the start for a fully smooth result. However, we prefer to stir it in at the end, which leaves small bits of cottage cheese running through the pea cream.
A grain bowl looks far more appealing when colours are arranged with care. Place contrasting colours next to each other, such as green asparagus beside pink salmon, then white cauliflower, spinach, and yellow cheese, to keep the bowl visually clear. The ingredients can cover the surface fully, form soft sections, or circle around the salmon placed in the middle. This creates an inviting look from edge to edge.
FAQ: Questions about the grain bowl
This grain bowl recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, but if any questions come up along the way, you will find the answers below.
How do I toast the dukkah ingredients properly?
To toast the dukkah ingredients properly, place all the ingredients in a dry, hot frying pan and toast them gently over medium heat. Keep the ingredients moving in the pan, so they toast evenly without scorching. Once they turn lightly golden and release a fragrant aroma, remove the pan from the heat and transfer everything to a cool surface. Let the dukkah cool completely before using, as this keeps the texture crisp and the flavours clear.
Can I make the pea cream with fresh peas instead of frozen?
Yes, you can make the pea cream with frozen peas. Boil the peas in lightly salted water for 2–3 minutes, until they turn tender and bright green. Drain them right away and cool them quickly under cold running water to stop the cooking. Shake off any remaining water before blending, as this helps keep the pea cream smooth.
How to store leftover grain bowls?
If you have already assembled your grain bowl, store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and finish them within 24 hours. The salmon and pea cream are best enjoyed fresh, and the texture changes quickly once everything is assembled. If you have the option, it is always better to store the individual elements in separate containers. This ensures the vegetables stay fresh and crisp, the grains remain firm, and the dukkah keeps its satisfying crunch for longer.
Nutritional values per serving
Energy:
769 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per serving | |
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| Fibre | - | 16.4 g |
| Protein | 23.6 % | 44.7 g |
| Fat | 52 % | 45.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24.4 % | 46.2 g |
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Colourful grain bowl with salmon and pea cream
It is often said that we eat with our eyes first, and this grain bowl certainly proves the point with its spectacular variety of colours. The bowl is a bright palette of fresh ingredients, ranging from purple carrots and pink salmon to vibrant greens like pea cream, spinach, and asparagus, and every colour in between. With every colour of the rainbow represented, the bowl looks remarkably alluring, making you want to dive into it the second it hits the table.
A solid base of grains
For the base of this grain bowl, we use wheat berries that maintain their structure after cooking. They bring a pleasant bite and a slight nutty flavour to the bowl, which works well with the other ingredients. One of the best things about these is how they remain separate rather than clumping together, ensuring the base of your bowl stays light and easy to enjoy.
Flavour and texture from vegetables and salmon
The grain base is finished with a layer of cold-smoked salmon and fresh vegetables, left uncooked to preserve their natural crunch. The choice of vegetables is entirely yours, so feel free to use what you like or have on hand. We have carefully balanced the flavours, using cauliflower and carrots to introduce an earthy sweetness to the bowl.
We also include cucumber for its cool freshness and radishes for a sharp, peppery finish. The addition of asparagus offers a lovely grassy note, while the fresh spinach leaves keep the entire meal feeling wonderfully light.
The salmon is the perfect partner to these crisp vegetables, offering a silky, almost buttery mouthfeel and a salty smokiness.
A final flavour twist from dill dukkah and pea cream
The bowl is completed with a good sprinkle of dill dukkah, adding a layer of warm, nutty spices that have been toasted to perfection. There is also a delicate, anise-like note from the dill seeds that lightens the warm spices.
On the side, the pea cream provides a luxuriously creamy texture and a natural sweetness, serving as a soft, velvety accompaniment to the more textured toppings. It is made with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and cottage cheese, giving it a fresh and slightly tangy flavour.
A clear-cut option for meal prep
If you like to plan ahead, our grain bowl recipe is a fantastic option for meal prep because so much of it can be made in advance. You can boil the grains and prep your vegetables the night before, keeping them tucked away in the fridge until you are ready to eat. When you are in a rush, you can pull a meal together in seconds, providing you with a delicious, packed lunch for work or school, or a stress-free dinner that is ready the moment you walk through the door.
If you are looking for more meal-prep inspiration, we have a variety of recipes that are just as easy to prepare in advance. Enjoy our salmon poke bowl or quinoa bowl with chickpeas and veggies if you fancy another bowl option. Our hearty tuna pasta is a fantastic choice for a versatile lunch or dinner, while our delicate egg bites are perfect when you need a quick snack throughout the day.
Creative variations to explore
A grain bowl is incredibly adaptable, and we have a few ideas for you. Starting with the vegetables is often the easiest way to vary this recipe. It works well with what is already in the fridge, or by following the seasons.
In autumn and winter, roasted pumpkin, such as butternut squash or red kuri, fits naturally, as do root vegetables like parsnips, beetroot, sweet potatoes, and celeriac. Their deeper, rounded taste works especially well with a scattering of crumbled goat’s cheese or finely grated Comté.
In the warmer months, courgette, sweet tomatoes, fresh peas, and thinly sliced leeks keep the bowl feeling fresh and lively. These vegetables pair well with herbs like parsley and mint, along with dill, giving the bowl a greener, summer-like feel.
The grain base is easy to swap as well. Quinoa works well, as do bulgur, buckwheat, freekeh, or pearl barley. Finally, do not be afraid to experiment with the salmon. While cold-smoked is delicious, hot-smoked salmon offers a firmer bite and more smoke, whereas a simple fillet baked with lemon introduces a light, citrusy note.
