I often say when describing my cooking style that I rarely create a complete meal from scratch from start to finish in one day. Most of my meals are component-based, and I have most pieces ready to use because I prepared them beforehand. This helps with time saving, versatility in my meals, and overall enjoyment of the cooking process (anytime I have to make a big spread, I end up grumpy and exhausted). Essentially, this recipe is a reflection of this cooking style. It incorporates multiple elements, the recipes of which are posted and linked. I hope this recipe proves accessible to many since ingredients and pieces can be substituted based on availability and taste.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 2 slices of onion, quartered
- 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-4 tomatoes, diced
- ¼ bell pepper, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup grains, cooked (I used farro)
- ¼ cucumber, sliced
- 2-4 olives
- 2-4 Tbsp. hummus
- 2-4 falafel
- Raita sauce (garnish)
- Cilantro, chopped (garnish)
Method
To make the vegetable sauté
- Heat the oil in a saucepan on the stove at medium heat
- Add the onion, garlic, and spices to the pan to sauté
- Add the tomatoes and bell pepper
- Sauté mixture until tomatoes release their juices and the mixture reduces slightly
- Add salt and pepper to taste
To assemble
- In a serving bowl, place grains at the bottom
- Spoon vegetable sauté over grains on one side of the bowl
- Decorate with falafel, hummus, olives, and cucumber
- Garnish with raita sauce and cilantro
- Serve and enjoy
