As summer winds down, there’s still plenty to enjoy, and nothing says seasonal comfort quite like a summer grain bowl. Think warm grains, juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, all coming together. With the sun high and markets and farms full of vibrant colors, fresh veggie-packed bowls have become the ultimate summer indulgence, all nourishing and crave-worthy. 

August marks the peak of colorful, farm-fresh produce across local markets and farms. It’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a lighter, fresher menu. Go for grain bowls to treat yourself to something wholesome and delicious. They’re perfect for seasonal eating and make an ideal healthy lunch or dinner, balancing flavor and nutrition wonderfully. 

In this blog, we'll walk you through some of the many benefits of seasonal eating. And you'll also get to know the ways you can build a summer grain bowl that Forage Kitchen is serving up this August.

Why Seasonal Eating in August Matters

August overflows with the season’s bounty: tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, greens, and herbs at their peak. This rich month is not only a feast for your eyes but for your health. 

The more colorful your produce, the more delicious, healthy meal possibilities you have, and seasonal eating ensures you enjoy them at their absolute peak. You get to relish better taste, richer nutritional value, a more balanced diet, improved digestion, and even a stronger immune system.

And it's even better for the planet, too. When the produce is local and doesn’t have to travel far, it retains nutrients and flavor while supporting your health and local farms alike. Just another reason to celebrate the summer with local and fresh ingredients.

Many local restaurants and eateries support the philosophy of seasonal eating and emphasize fresh, local ingredients. The result? They deliver flavor and function in one go. And nothing matches that better than a perfectly built summer grain bowl.

How to Build the Perfect Summer Grain Bowl

Make a summer grain bowl the way your heart and taste buds want it to be. August produce offers everything you need: flavor, freshness, variety, and nutrition for building your perfect summer bowl. It’s also a simple way to prep a healthy lunch you can look forward to all week.

• Base: Use grains like soba noodles, organic black rice, or quinoa.
• Seasonal veggies: Both raw and roasted, such as carrots, pickled onions, beets, or cucumbers, work well in contrast.
• Protein: Plant-based options, such as tofu and legumes, offer both protein and support heart health. Or go for animal-based proteins such as roasted chicken or smoked salmon.
• Dressing: Vinaigrettes, tahini-based, citrus-forward, are delicious.
• Toppings: Seeds, herbs, pickled veggies, and fermented additions add an extra touch of goodness. 

Once you've got the basics, it’s time to mix and match your way to summer perfection.

Summer Flavor Combos that Work

Here is what you can pair with what suits best in this summer season:

• Tomato + corn + basil: The juicy combo for hot summer days.
• Zucchini + lemon + tahini: Creaminess meets brightness.
• Cucumber + cilantro + salsa roja dressing: Refreshing, cool, and perfect for those scorching days.

Not just these, you can make new dishes like a Spring Roll Bowl with carrot, cucumber, fresh mint, cilantro, bean sprouts, and chilled soba noodles. Also, try something new like ‘That French Salad’ - a nod to a traditional French nicoise salad - made with roasted green beans and potatoes, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and animal protein like a hard-boiled egg. They’re easy to whip up and even easier to finish. 

Use this summer grain bowl inspiration for your next meal. And while toppings and dressings add flair, it’s the grain base that truly anchors the bowl.

Grains as a Summer Hero

Now let’s talk about what makes your bowl truly wholesome: the grainy foundation.

Grains are just like heroes in summer. They bring texture, nutrition, and versatility to every bite. So what makes the perfect summer grain base? Here’s your cheat sheet:

• Add black rice for fiber and heartiness
• Use quinoa for protein and lightness
• Add soba noodles, a little something different

These grains are the stars of our summer seasonal bowl, pairing perfectly with fresh, August produce to make grain bowls the ultimate summer go-to.

From Forage Kitchen’s Menu: Real Food, Real Produce

If you're looking for a one-stop solution where you can have all of these benefits, Forage Kitchen in Wisconsin has you covered. Our menus follow the rhythm of the seasons, letting the freshest produce lead the way.

What Makes Forage Kitchen Stand Out

Our philosophy? Everything is made from scratch, from whole foods to fermented beverages like kombucha and tepache. It’s the rotation of seasonal menus. Fermented foods support gut health and are flavorful at the same time. 

From the lineup of our summer flavors, you can enjoy every bite from the Spring Roll Bowl to the Fiesta Bowl. 

• The Spring Roll Bowl is fresh,  perfect for a light, flavor-packed, healthy lunch. And it can be made vegetarian by swapping out the Japanese BBQ beef meatballs!
• The Fiesta Bowl is a taco-inspired grain bowl, perfect for a healthy, plant-based lunch.

The special quality of these grain bowls is that they’re always rooted in flavor and function. Enjoy the changes in flavor as different, seasonal ingredients become available. 

August Bowls, Anytime Benefits 

The seasonal grain bowls, particularly the summer bowls, are made with fresh local ingredients. And when August rolls in, it's the time of peak freshness, color, and variety, all offered by nature itself. And your plate? It becomes a colorful billboard for August’s best; all while supporting your health and, of course, local farmers. 

At Forage Kitchen, we offer all that you need this summer. Our bowls reflect seasonal goodness in every bite. Great grain bowls aren't just meals; they're an experience in eating well. You can even build your bowls. You choose, we make.‍

Ready to taste the summer in every bite? Explore Forage Kitchen’s seasonal menu today and discover your next crave-worthy favorite that’s fresh, flavorful, and made for summer.