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Cheesy Lemon-Garlic Barley Bowl with BBQ Tofu, Black Beans, and Mung Bean Egg Bake

Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Vegan
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 520kcal

Description

A wholesome and flavorful plant-based bowl combining chewy lemon-garlic barley, smoky BBQ shredded tofu, sautéed black beans with onions, peppers, and sundried tomatoes, and tender mung bean egg bake. Topped with creamy ranch and a squeeze of fresh lemon, this nutrient-packed meal is perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Cheesy Lemon-Garlic Barley

  • 1 cup pearl barley rinsed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • ¼ cup grated cheese any melting cheese

BBQ Shredded Tofu

  • 200 g firm tofu pressed and shredded
  • 3 tbsp BBQ sauce

Sautéed Black Beans and Vegetables

  • 1 cup black beans cooked or canned, drained
  • ½ cup onion chopped
  • ½ cup bell peppers chopped, any color
  • ¼ cup sundried tomatoes chopped

Mung Bean Egg Bake

  • ½ cup mung beans soaked and blended
  • ¼ cup water adjust for consistency
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Toppings

  • 2 tbsp ranch dressing
  • 1 slice lemon for garnish

Instructions

Prepare Barley

  • Rinse barley and cook in 2 cups of water or vegetable broth until tender, about 25 minutes.
  • In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Mix into cooked barley along with lemon juice and grated cheese.

Prepare BBQ Tofu

  • Press tofu, shred into pieces, and toss with BBQ sauce. Bake or sauté for 10–12 minutes until slightly caramelized.

Prepare Black Beans and Vegetables

  • Sauté onions and bell peppers in a pan for 3–4 minutes. Add black beans and sundried tomatoes, cook until heated through.

Prepare Mung Bean Egg Bake

  • Blend soaked mung beans with water and seasonings. Pour into greased baking pan and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes or until firm. Cool slightly and cut into cubes.

Assemble and Serve

  • Assemble bowls: start with barley, add BBQ tofu and black beans mixture, place mung bean cubes on top.
  • Drizzle with ranch dressing and garnish with a slice of lemon. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Barley can be cooked in vegetable broth for extra flavor.
  • Marinate tofu for 20 minutes for deeper flavor.
  • Assemble bowls fresh for best texture.