Mixed grain, roasted vegetable and tofu salad

Ingredients

  • Mixed roasted vegetables – I used sweet potato, onion, garlic and green chillies.  Use anything in your pantry.
  • Roasted tofu – Add in the same tray as vegetables
  • Seasoning for roasted vegetables – salt, pepper and mixed herbs
  • Oil for roasting – I used Chilli infused olive oil
  • Mixed grains – giant couscous, pearl barley, buckwheat and quinoa.  Use vegetable broth or water from the sweet corn.  I also seasoned with Sage, Onion & Garlic seasoning.
  • Kernels from boiled corn on the cob (do not throw the water as you can boil the grains in the same water)
  • Fresh toppings: Diced mangetout, cherry tomatoes and cucumber

Method

  • Dice all vegetables and tofu and place in a baking tray.  Drizzle oil and  some salt, pepper and mixed herbs.
  • In a pan add some boiled water to boil the grains.  Just enough water/vegetable stock to cook the grains (make sure you do not overcook as they will become mushy).  I used the water that I boiled the sweet corn in so it had some flavour in it.  I added a little bit of Sage, Onion & Garlic seasoning to give the grains a little flavour.  You can add your one choice of seasoning.
  • Mix the roasted vegetables, tofu, and the mixed grains together.
  • Before serving, add fresh ingredients per choice – I used mangetout, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.
  • Enjoy either as a warm salad or a cold salad.

Note: 

  • You can change the seasoning to any other that you prefer.  The seasoning makes the grains and vegetables tasty.
  • Make the salad colourful.  And you can change the ingredients to suit your taste.  
  • Make the salad a mix of protein and fibre.
  • Many of these grains and vegetables have various benefits that add nutrition to your body.  Example on how whole grains help with Type 2 Diabetes: “Replacing refined grains with whole grains and eating at least 2 servings of whole grains daily may help to reduce type 2 diabetes risk. The fibre, nutrients, and phytochemicals in whole grains may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism and slow the absorption of food, preventing blood sugar spikes.” – reference : https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/whole-grains/