The “harvest grain bowl” on United Airlines is a solid choice if you’re looking for a light or vegetarian meal onboard in first class.
Harvest Grain Bowl On United Airlines
My last leg of the trip was from Denver to Los Angeles, a domestic first class flight with dinner served after takeoff. Prior to the flight, United offered four options to choose from (pre-orders on narrow body jets can be made between five days and 24 hours prior to your flight). I chose the harvest grain bowl. I figured that after spending several hours lounge hopping and restaurant hopping in Denver, I would not feel like eating much on the flight.
Harvest grain bowl
Harvest grain bowl with quinoa, butternut squash, feta, and mandarin oranges
The grain bowl included chickpeas, green peas, and a bit of tabbouleh salad. It was served warm and I thought the flavors mixed well. While I would not go so far as to say this was a healthy dish, I do think it was probably the healthiest dish on the menu and is indeed far lighter than the meat-based choices.
On the side: a grain salad, bread roll, and “pie in the sky” chocolate chip cookie.
Interestingly, last week when returning home from Denver, I ordered the tofu dish and was served the harvest grain bowl instead, which isn’t even among the menu choices this month.
Smoked 5-spice tofu bowl
Smoked 5-spice tofu bowl on a bed of long grain rice with broccoli and roasted peppers, topped with cashews in a teriyaki sauce
This is what I was expecting…but received this instead:
And frankly I did not mind. This is one of my favorite United dishes. It’s not very beautiful, but the flavors really do work well together.
I will order this again…I have yet to try the tofu…
The flight themselves (both flights) were rather uneventful. It’s always nice to get back home…
Matthew,
Thanks for your food reviews. As with any restaurant reviewer I may or may not always agree with your taste, but as I get used to your choices I am able to make a more informed choice of what to choose when I fly.
Safe travels,
Frank
What happened with dessert?? I don’t see it on the tray???
It was missing!
Actually I think it looks, and tastes, like dog food. Had it taken away.
How do you know what dog food tastes like?
“…I would not go so far as to say this was a healthy dish…”
It WOULD be VERY healthful, if it didn’t include the cheese, the cookie, and the white-flour bread roll. (And it doesn’t say whether oil is added, which would reduce its healthfulness factor, too.)
Looks tasty, otherwise.
And the butter, of course. And the oily vinaigrette.
😉
I don’t eat the butter or bread. 😉
Nooooo the Harissa Chicken is still on the menu? I feel like this odd option has been around for years. I thought it was being phased out.
This month and next there is a lemon chicken instead.
Looks delicious! I make a similar vegetarian chickpea bowl at home, but with a balsamic dressing and larger portion size.
That looks great. Tofu, on the other hand, is always a mistake.
Darn! Feta. I thought this was vegan. I work for the kitchen, in transport. It usually just says “butternut squash” on the tag