During Melbourne’s colder months, salads don’t have to be a cold side dish. At Gertrude Grocer, we’re reimagining winter salads with warm, nourishing grain bowls. Built on hearty grains like quinoa, farro and freekeh, these bowls are topped with vibrant roasted vegetables, creamy cheeses, and protein-rich legumes — all available from our curated range of pantry and produce items.
Whether you’re after a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a meal-prep hero, these grain bowls are as comforting as they are good for you. Best of all, they showcase the premium ingredients we’re proud to carry in-store and online.
Stock Up on Winter Grain Bowl Essentials
Create your own bowls with ingredients from our shelves:
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Grains: Organic quinoa, Italian farro, freekeh, pearl couscous
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Legumes: Capriccio chickpeas, cannellini beans, lentils
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Vegetables: Butternut squash, sweet potato, beetroot, zucchini, kale
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Cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano, Meredith Dairy Goat Cheese, Ricotta Salata
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Dressings & Oils: Fig balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, tahini, citrus vinaigrettes
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Crunchy Toppings: Toasted seeds, roasted nuts, croutons
5 Grain Bowl Recipes for Winter Warmth
1. Quinoa & Roasted Pumpkin Bowl with Goat Cheese & Pepitas
Ingredients:
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Organic quinoa (cooked)
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Roasted pumpkin wedges
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Meredith Dairy Goat Cheese
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Toasted pepitas
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Rocket
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Balsamic glaze
Method: Cook quinoa and toss with rocket. Top with warm roasted pumpkin, crumbled goat cheese, and pepitas. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a sweet, earthy bite.
2. Farro Bowl with Sweet Potato, Kale & Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients:
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Cooked Italian farro
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Roasted sweet potato
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Lightly sautéed kale
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Capriccio chickpeas
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Lemon tahini dressing (tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil)
Method: Combine farro, kale and chickpeas in a bowl. Add cubes of roasted sweet potato and drizzle generously with creamy lemon tahini dressing.
3. Freekeh & Roasted Beetroot Bowl with Feta & Herbs
Ingredients:
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Cooked freekeh
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Roasted beetroot
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Danish feta or Ricotta Salata
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Fresh mint and parsley
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Orange vinaigrette
Method: Toss warm freekeh with chopped herbs and roasted beetroot. Crumble feta over the top and serve with a zesty orange vinaigrette.
4. Pearl Couscous Bowl with Zucchini, Capsicum & Ricotta
Ingredients:
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Cooked pearl couscous
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Grilled zucchini and red capsicum
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Ricotta Salata (shaved)
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Oregano or basil
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Olive oil & red wine vinegar
Method: Mix couscous with grilled vegetables and herbs. Top with generous shavings of ricotta salata and a drizzle of oil and vinegar.
5. Lentil & Brown Rice Bowl with Roasted Mushrooms & Parmesan
Ingredients:
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Brown rice and Capriccio lentils
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Roasted button or Swiss brown mushrooms
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Parmigiano Reggiano
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Fresh thyme
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Garlic-infused olive oil
Method: Combine rice and lentils as the base. Top with roasted mushrooms, grated parmesan, and thyme. Drizzle with garlic olive oil for richness.
Pro Tips for Building a Perfect Grain Bowl
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Start warm: Keep grains and veggies warm to contrast with cold toppings like cheese or greens.
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Play with textures: Mix soft (roasted veg), creamy (cheese), and crunchy (seeds/nuts).
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Balance flavours: Use tangy dressings or citrus to balance earthy grains and sweet vegetables.
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Batch cook: Grains and legumes can be cooked ahead of time for quick assembly during the week.
Shop Grain Bowl Ingredients
From organic grains and quality legumes to artisan cheeses and winter vegetables, Gertrude Grocer has everything you need to build gourmet grain bowls this season. Explore the full range of seasonal produce and pantry staples here.