Name: Mood-Boosting Winter Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: For the Bowl:; 1 cup cooked pearl barley; 1 cup roasted sweet potato cubes; 1 cup steamed green beans or peas; 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms; 1/4 cup dried cranberries; 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced; 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds; For the Classic Honey-Mustard Dressing:; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste

A hearty, comforting dish packed with nutrients to warm your soul and lift your spirits.

Mood-Boosting Winter Bowl

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Author: Perky Dove Coffee

Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 50 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Best Season: Winter

Description

Warm, hearty, and packed with nutrients, this Mood-Boosting Winter Bowl is the perfect antidote to winter blues. Featuring a base of pearl barley, this comforting dish is topped with roasted sweet potatoes, steamed green beans, sautéed mushrooms, and a sliced hard-boiled egg. Toasted sunflower seeds add crunch, while dried cranberries provide a subtle sweetness. Drizzled with a tangy honey-mustard dressing, this bowl is as delicious as it is nourishing—a true winter favorite that will lift your mood and energize your day.

Ingredients

For the Bowl:

1 cup cooked pearl barley

1 cup roasted sweet potato cubes

1 cup steamed green beans or peas

¹⁄₂ cup sautéed mushrooms (optional, for an earthy flavor)

¹⁄₄ cup dried cranberries (optional, for a touch of sweetness)

1 hard-boiled egg, sliced

¹⁄₄ cup toasted sunflower seeds

For the Classic Honey-Mustard Dressing:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

¹⁄₂ tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Barley:
Rinse the barley under cold water.
In a medium pot, combine 1/2 cup uncooked barley with 1 1/2 cups water and a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 30–40 minutes until tender. Drain any excess water.
Roast the Sweet Potatoes:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Steam and Sauté:
Steam green beans or peas until tender.
In a skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil and sauté mushrooms with a pinch of salt until golden brown.
Make the Dressing:
In a small jar, combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Shake well to emulsify.
Assemble the Bowl:
Divide the cooked barley into two bowls.
Arrange roasted sweet potatoes, steamed green beans or peas, sautéed mushrooms, dried cranberries, sliced hard-boiled egg, and toasted sunflower seeds on top.
Drizzle and Serve:
Drizzle the honey-mustard dressing over the bowls.
Serve warm and enjoy the comforting, mood-lifting flavors of this old-fashioned favorite!

Equipment

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Perky Dove Coffee

Mood-Boosting Winter Bowl