Buddha Bowl

Now, let’s chat about my experience making this Buddha bowl. I have to be honest — I thought it would be a breeze, and spoiler alert: I was right! I nailed it on my first try! There was a little surprise, though; I had some leftover roasted sweet potatoes from last night’s dinner, and they added a lovely sweetness to the bowl. I also made a simple tahini dressing that kicked things up a notch. I think I might have to make this a regular part of my meal prep routine!

Buddha Bowl

So, you've heard about the fabulous Buddha Bowl, right? It's that trendy, colorful dish full of vibrant veggies, grains, and proteins, all cozily piled into a bowl. Think of it as your foodie palette of goodness! I decided to whip up my very own Buddha bowl, and let me tell you, the experience was as delightful as the dish itself. Let’s dive into this recipe that celebrates health and happiness in one colorful bowl!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch, Main Course, Vegan

Cuisine American, Asian Fusion, Healthy

Servings 4 people

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup quinoa or brown rice substitutions: any grain like farro or barley work!
• - 1 can chickpeas rinsed and drained (or use lentils for a different protein kick!)
• - 2 cups assorted veggies think bell peppers, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes — whatever you love!
• - 1 avocado sliced (you can swap this with hummus or none at all!)
• - 1/4 cup nuts or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower (optional but adds great crunch!)
• - For the dressing:
• - 3 tablespoons tahini you can use peanut butter for a twist!
• - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• - 1 clove garlic minced
• - Warm water to thin it out
• - Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Cook the Quinoa/Rice: Start by rinsing your quinoa or rice under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. Then, in a pot, combine 1 cup of quinoa/rice with 2 cups of water (or vegetable broth for more flavor). Bring it to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff it up with a fork and set it aside.
• Roast the Veggies: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Chop your assorted veggies into bite-sized pieces, toss them in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through until they’re nice and golden.
• Prepare the Chickpeas: While the veggies are roasting, toss your chickpeas in a bowl with olive oil, some cumin, and smoked paprika if you want a little spice. You can roast them too for about 15 minutes until crispy, or leave them warm in a saucepan.
• Make the Dressing: In another bowl, mix together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. After that, slowly whisk in warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
• Assemble the Bowl: Here comes the fun part! Start by placing a scoop of quinoa at the bottom of your bowl. Next layer in some roasted veggies, chickpeas, a slice of avocado, and those crunchy nuts or seeds.
• Drizzle and Enjoy: Drizzle your tahini dressing generously over everything and dig in!

Keyword Buddha bowl, grain bowl, Healthy meal, vegan bowl, Vegetarian recipe

Nutritional Facts

5 Tips for this Recipe

• Mix and match your favorite grains and veggies!
• Don’t skip the dressing; it ties everything together beautifully.
• Make extra quinoa/rice for easy meals throughout the week.
• Add a splash of soy sauce for an extra flavor kick!
• Try different proteins like tofu or tempeh for variety.

5 FAQs for this Recipe

• Can I meal prep this bowl? Yes! Just store components separately and assemble when you’re ready to eat.
• Is this bowl vegan-friendly? Absolutely! It’s packed with plant-based goodness!
• What if I don’t like tahini? Use any dressing you enjoy, like balsamic vinaigrette or even a spicy mayo!
• Can I freeze this bowl? The components can be frozen but avoid freezing avocado.
• What’s a good substitute for avocado? Guacamole works great if you’re up for a bit of creaminess!

5 Storage Tips

• Store the bowls in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat.
• Use glass containers to keep everything fresh and avoid staining from plastic.
• Seal the avocado in lemon juice before storing to prevent browning.
• Label your meal prep containers with dates to keep track.

5 Common Cooking Mistakes

• Not rinsing quinoa before cooking; it can taste bitter.
• Overcrowding the baking sheet with veggies; they won’t roast properly!
• Not adding enough seasoning; flavors need to pop!
• Forgetting to fluff your grains after cooking, leading to clumpy textures.
• Using cold dressing on a warm bowl, which can cool everything down!

Final Thoughts

Making a Buddha bowl was a fulfilling experience! We turned simple ingredients into a vibrant, nourishing dish that’s not only pleasing to the eye but also to the taste buds. I loved how customizable it is; I can switch out ingredients based on what I have on hand or what I’m craving. And if I can nail it on my first try, I’m sure you can too!

Remember, the beauty of a Buddha bowl lies in its flexibility. Make it your own, whether you want extra greens, a protein boost, or flavor twists with different dressings. The sky’s the limit!

So gather your ingredients, get ready to experiment, and enjoy that colorful bowl of happiness. Happy cooking, friends!