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Lentil, Farro & Blueberry Grain Bowl with Harissa Yogurt

Miranda | The Herby Eater
This is the bowl where warm, jammy blueberries become savory and meet lentils and farro like they've always belonged together (they have, you just didn't know it). Wilted kale, toasted almonds, and a cool harissa yogurt swirl on top...it's honestly pure magic and I would eat it every day if I could.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mediterranean-Inspired
Servings 4 grain bowls

Equipment

  • 2 medium saucepans
  • 1 large sauté pan with lid
  • Chef's knife and cutting board
  • Small mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

For Lentils:

  • 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed 200g
  • 3 cups vegetable broth 720ml

For Farro:

  • 1 cup pearled farro 190g
  • 3 cups vegetable broth 720ml

For Warm Savory Blueberries:

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries 150g
  • 1 medium shallot 50g, thinly sliced
  • Peel from 1 lemon in a few wide strips (removed before assembly)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 15ml
  • Pinch of salt

For Assembly:

  • 1 bunch Tuscan (Lacinato) kale stemmed and chopped (about 6 cups / 170g)
  • ½ cup almonds, roughly chopped 60g
  • ½ tsp kosher salt 3g
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 240g
  • 1½ tbsp harissa paste 25–30g (start with less if not a fan of spicy heat)
  • ¼ cup fresh mint 10g chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Combine lentils and broth in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until tender but not mushy, 18–20 minutes. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
  • In a second saucepan, combine farro and broth, bring to a boil, then simmer until al dente, about 20–25 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • While the grains cook, toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly golden, 3–4 minutes. Season with salt while still warm and set aside.
  • In the sauté pan, heat dry over medium low heat. Once it's starting to feel warm, add oil and immediately follow with the shallot, blueberries, and lemon peel. Cook, gently stirring constantly never pausing so nothing scorches, until the blueberries begin to break down and reduce, 5–6 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat + remove from heat, pushing the blueberry mixture to one side of the pan. Add the chopped kale to the empty side, cover with the lid, and let it sit off-heat for 3–5 minutes — the residual heat and trapped steam will wilt the kale just enough that it's tender, not raw or bitter, without cooking it down completely.
  • Remove the lemon peel from the blueberry mixture and discard. Gently toss the kale and blueberry-shallot mixture together.
  • In a small bowl, gently fold the harissa into the Greek yogurt — don't overmix, you want streaks, not a uniform pink!
  • To assemble, divide lentils and farro among bowls. Top with the blueberry-shallot mixture, then kale, scatter with toasted almonds, dollop with the harissa yogurt, and finish with fresh mint scattered over the top.

Notes

Substitutions: Swap farro for quinoa or brown rice to make this gluten-free. Frozen blueberries work here too, just cook a minute or two longer to account for extra moisture.
Optional add-ins: Crumbled feta or goat cheese. Toasted pumpkin seeds alongside or instead of almonds, for a boost of iron.
Spice note: Harissa brands vary a lot in heat, so start with the lower end and taste before adding more. I always recommend less if you are not a fan of spicy flavors.
Storage: Keep components separate in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble bowls fresh.
Keyword Dinner, Grain Bowl, Lunch, Main, No Refined Sugar, Refined Sugar Free, Vegetarian