Summer is in full swing! We’re right in the hottest time now where every day in the forecast is 95+ degrees…with chance of thunderstorm.
When it’s hot outside, the last thing I want is a hot meal. Summertime makes me crave light, refreshing, and colder foods like this summer veggie bowl!
There are lots of great things about this recipe aside from how deliciously refreshing it tastes. It can be left as-is for a vegetarian option. Meatless Monday dinner recipe – check! Also, the veggies in it can absolutely be swapped out based on whatever you have on hand or growing in your garden that you’re looking to use up. It’s really versatile.
It’s also the perfect dish to bring to cookouts, BBQ’s, and pool parties you’re going to all summer long as an easy side dish. Plus if you’re a meat lover and really want some added protein, adding chopped grilled chicken is a very tasty addition to this meal.
So grab some veggies and get cookin!
- 1 cup uncooked brown basmati rice
- 3/4 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed (or black beans)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chopped yellow squash
- ½ bunch asparagus, chopped
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 large green pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup torn fresh basil
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: Avocado, cut into cubes
- Optional: Grilled chicken, cut into cubes
- Optional: Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Cook the brown rice per package instructions then let completely cool before assembling this recipe.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon oil (I use coconut oil). Add squash, asparagus and green pepper, then sauté about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While that's cooking, add the rest of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl, and toss until well mixed.
- When the squash/asparagus/pepper mixture has cooled a bit, add that to the mixing bowl and toss again to combine.
- Top with any optional ingredients you'd like to use.
- Serve warm or cold - I like it cold on a hot summer day!
- You can swap out the veggies for any summer veggies you'd like, and you can swap out the rice for quinoa or millet too.
