Tex Mex Grain Bowl Recipes

TEX-MEX CHICKEN SALAD BOWL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375˚. Combine the lime zest, fajita seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; rub all over the chicken. Heat a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring, until warmed through, 30 seconds; remove to a bowl. Add the vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the chicken and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the chicken is just cooked through, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to rest 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1 cup spinach, the halved avocado, buttermilk, lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender. Puree until smooth. Blend in 2 to 4 tablespoons water until thin enough to drizzle.
• Divide the remaining spinach among shallow bowls. Arrange the corn, sliced avocado, tomatoes, cabbage and tortilla strips on top. Slice the chicken against the grain and add to the bowls. Drizzle with some of the dressing and serve the rest on the side.

TEX MEX SHRIMP AND SQUASH GRAIN BOWL WITH AVOCADO DRESSING

Steps:

• For the squash: Prepare the quinoa according to the package instructions. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the butternut squash on the baking sheet. Spray with the olive oil, then sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper, and rub the seasonings on the pieces. Roast, turning once to ensure they are not burning, until crisp-tender with brown edges, about 20 minutes.
• For the avocado dressing: Blend the avocado, almond milk, cilantro, jalapeno and cider vinegar, if using, lime juice, salt and pepper in a food processor. Add a tablespoon of water or a bit more lime juice to make the sauce thinner, if desired. Set aside in an airtight container.
• For the grain bowls: Add the olive oil, garlic and onion to a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns brown and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, then toss in the shrimp. Add the chili powder and smoked paprika and cook, tossing occasionally, until the shrimp is plump, the outside edges are seared and there are no more visible raw areas, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the kale to the skillet along with the lime juice. Cook, tossing occasionally, allowing the kale to wilt under the steam of the lime juice until the kale has softened yet is still crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove everything from the heat.
• Divide the quinoa, butternut squash and shrimp and kale mix among three bowls. Toss together in the individual bowls. Top with equal amounts of the dressing. Garnish with cilantro, green onions and lime juice.

GRAIN BOWLS WITH GRILLED CORN, STEAK, AND AVOCADO

Steps:

• Season steak with 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat grill pan over medium-high. Grill steak, turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of steak registers 120-125°F for medium-rare (2-3 minutes per side for skirt; 3-4 minutes per side for flank). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest at least 10 minutes or until cool.
• Meanwhile, grill corn until charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and let cool.
• Slice corn off cobs into a large bowl. Add grains, feta, scallions, oil, lime juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt and stir to combine. Divide corn mixture among bowls.
• Thinly slice steak against the grain (to make slicing easier for skirt steak, cut into 5"-6" segments, then slice against the grain). Top bowls with steak and avocado. Drizzle jalapeño sauce over; season with salt and pepper.
• Do Ahead: Steak and corn can be grilled 3 days ahead. Transfer to separate airtight containers and chill.

TEX-MEX GRAIN BOWL

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and taco seasoning to a boil. Stir in oats; cook 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Divide oatmeal among 4 bowls. Top with beans, salsa, cheese, avocado and toppings as desired. Serve immediately.