The Ancient Grain Salad That’s Nourishing Your Body (A High Protein Grain!)& Supporting a More Regenerative Future: Adlai Harvest Salad Jar

There’s something special about rediscovering foods that have been nourishing communities for generations.

Meet adlai : an ancient grain also known as Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi). With its beautiful pearl-like shape, chewy texture, and naturally nutty flavor, adlai is a grain that deserves a place in modern kitchens. Often compared to a combination of rice and barley, this nutrient-dense grain is a delicious way to add variety, plant-based protein, and texture to your favorite meals.

But adlai’s story isn’t just about nutrition, it’s also about reconnecting with the way food was grown before convenience took over.

Food has always been a connection between people, plants, and the planet. By choosing ingredients like adlai and honoring the traditions behind them, we create a future where wellness isn’t just about how we nourish ourselves, it’s about how we nourish the world around us.

A Grain Rooted in Tradition & Resilience

Traditionally cultivated throughout Asia, especially in the Philippines, adlai has been grown for generations by farming communities who recognize its resilience and adaptability.

As we look toward a more sustainable food future, ancient crops like adlai are becoming increasingly important.

Adlai Plant

Adlai is a hardy crop that can thrive in diverse growing conditions, and when cultivated using regenerative farming practices such as crop rotation, composting, protecting soil health, and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.. it can contribute to more resilient and biodiverse agricultural systems.

Choosing heritage crops like adlai helps support agricultural diversity while preserving traditional farming knowledge passed down through generations.

What I really am starting to realize is that the future of food isn’t about discovering something new, it’s about remembering what we already had, and utilizing the original tools and methods we started with.

Why Add Adlai To Your Kitchen?

Beyond its beautiful story, adlai is a powerhouse grain for everyday nourishment:

• ✨ Naturally gluten-free✨

• A great source of plant-based protein (7g per serving, higher in protein than most grains!)

• High in fiber to support digestion

• Provides slow-digesting carbohydrates for lasting energy

• Perfect for salads, grain bowls, meal prep jars, and nourishing everyday recipes

• Its chewy texture makes it the perfect base for a satisfying salad that feels elevated but is simple enough to prepare ahead of time.

A Protein Rich Adlai Mediterranean Harvest Salad Jar

High Protein Mason Jar Meals

Packed with the high-protein-rich adlai, creamy butter beans, healthy fats, some marinated vegetables, and a bright lemon herb dressing, this salad is designed to fuel your body while making healthy eating feel effortless, and craveable.

This recipe makes 2 servings stored beautifully in one large jar, perfect for meal prep, picnics, work lunches, or whenever you want a nourishing meal ready to grab.

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Ingredients

For the salad jar:

• 1 cup cooked adlai grain, cooled

• 1 can butter beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 shallot, minced (or red onion)

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved(or swap for sun-dried tomatoes for an extra burst of Mediterranean flavor!)

• 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped

• ½ cup artichoke hearts, chopped

• 1/4 cup olives, sliced

• ½–1 cup vegan feta

• 1 ripe avocado, cubed

• Fresh basil leaves, torn

• Lemon herb olive oil dressing (recipe below)

Bright Lemon Herb Olive Oil Dressing

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

• Juice of 1 large lemon

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 small garlic clove, minced

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• ½ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)

• Fresh cracked black pepper

• Optional: ½ teaspoon maple syrup for a subtle balance

Musashi x Algae Cooking Club Smooked Tomato Oil

If you're really in your chef era, I would suggest including my favorite oil brand's (algae cooking club) latest drop, Musashi's Smoked Tomato Oil into the mix, or replacing the olive oil completely.

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a jar.

2. Shake vigorously until emulsified.

3. Taste and adjust lemon, salt, and herbs as desired.

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How To Build Your Protein Adlai Salad Jar

Start with the lemon herb olive oil dressing at the bottom of your jar.

Layer your ingredients in this order:

1. Dressing

2. Shallot/Onion

3. Tomatoes

4. Butter beans

5. Artichoke hearts

6. Cucumbers

7. Olives

8. Adlai

9. Vegan feta

10. Fresh basil

11. Avocado (add fresh before eating for the best texture)

When you’re ready to enjoy, simply shake, pour into a bowl, and let every layer come together.

The Jar That Keeps It Fresh

The container you store your food in matters.

This adlai protein salad was stored in a Le Parfait Familia Wiss Terrine jar, and it quickly became one of my favorite meal prep jars because it helps lock in freshness without relying on plastic.

The airtight design combines a glass lid, rubber gasket, and stainless steel locking system to create a secure seal that helps protect your food from air exposure and spoilage. The result? Fresh, vibrant ingredients that stay beautifully preserved until you’re ready to enjoy them.

They are dishwasher safe, with stainless steel- rust resistant lids, great for canning and fermenting, wide mouth, made of sturdy glass, rubber ring which helps prevent any excess moisture or air from entering.

I was actually really surprised to find my avocado still completely green after storing it overnight in the fridge in these jars. They are by far my new favorite!

Truly, there’s something so satisfying about opening a jar and finding a meal that still looks and tastes fresh, a little reminder that nourishing yourself can be simple, beautiful, and intentional. If you're still skeptical about meal prep because of freshness concerns, give these jars a try!

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