Keep Things Fresh This Fall

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by Kristina LaRue, RD, Love & Zest

I’m loving all the fall flavors in these vegetarian Harvest Grain Bowl. Cabernet Estate Reserve® tomatoes, quinoa, arugula, tomatoes, apples, roasted sweet potatoes, dried tart cherries and pumpkin seeds tossed together with an apple cider vinaigrette. Eating a hearty vegetarian meal like this grain bowl feels so nourishing, especially this time of year when food tends to be heavier comfort food. There’s something about enjoying the fall flavors in a healthy way, that’s super comforting to me.

The refined earthy flavors of the Cabernet Estate Reserve® tomatoes are reminiscent of a fine wine and make this the perfect addition to your fresh fall dishes. You may be thinking fresh tomatoes are only good as a summer snack…well, thanks to Village Farms sustainable growing practices you can enjoy tomatoes all year-round! And thankfully so, because the deeper richer pigments in produce are often higher in nutrients. The crimson brown color in the Cabernet Estate Reserve® tomatoes contributes beneficial flavonoids that helps with improving blood flow and proper brain function. And they are also packed with potassium!

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This vegetarian Harvest Grain Bowl is so simple to prepare, especially if you like meal prep! Make up a batch of quinoa and roasted sweet potatoes in advance to save time in the kitchen. This also helps with healthy eating because you’ll have a meal at the ready when you’re hungry. Another quick tip for effortless quinoa prepping: buy it frozen or boil in the bag! So EASY.

Oh and can we just talk about this apple cider vinaigrette for a hot minute? I just love a good dressing and this one is made with apple butter so its apple flavor game is strong! Tangy and creamy, so yum! Prepare the apple cider vinaigrette in advance and store in a mason jar for quick convenience. I often make dressings straight in the mason jar too– add all ingredients, cap it and give it a good shake.

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As we move into the fall months it becomes increasingly tempting to go for the comfort foods high in refined sugars and starch. But this fresh take on fall favorites will satisfy your cravings and energize you from the inside out. I hope you enjoy this vegetarian Harvest Grain Bowl as much as we do!

Click here to see the full recipe!

This post and recipe were created exclusively for Village Farms and originally appeared on Love & Zest. Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD is a board certified sports dietitian located in Orlando, Florida. Kristina is the author of the Love & Zest food and nutrition blog where she shares {mostly} healthy recipes with simple ingredients that are meant for real life.

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