Perfect the Buddha Bowl in 5 Easy Steps

No. 1 | Choose your Greens: bok choy, kale, chinese broccoli, spinach, cabbage, arugula, herbs

No. 2 | Choose your Grains: quinoa, wild rice, brown rice, oats, couscous, corn chips, pasta

No. 3 | Choose your Veggies: peppers, zucchini, beets, sweet potatoes, cucumber, tomatoes

No. 4 | Choose your Protein: beef, chicken, tuna, turkey, tempeh, tofu, eggs, chickpeas, beans

No. 5 | Choose your Sauce: caesar, balsamic, hummus, salsa, ginger-garlic, goulash, bbq sauce

Another way to perfect the bowl and round out your buddha experience is by choosing a culinary inspiration. For example, a Mexican Fiesta Bowl would include greens: cilantro or iceberg lettuce, grains: jasmine or wild rice, veggies: tomatoes, corn and green peppers, proteins: seasoned chicken or pulled pork, and sauce: homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, or a jalapeno lime sauce.

Here’s one of our favourite buddha combos:

INGREDIENTS | 4 Servings

• ½ cup of crushed peanuts
• 1 cup of mixed quinoa
• ½ cup water or ½ cup broth (optional)
• 1 lime
• Cilantro
• 2 beets, peeled
• 2 carrots
• 1 whole cucumber
• ¼ head of red cabbage
• Extra firm tofu

Jalapeno Lime Sauce

• ⅓ cup of mayo (preferably homemade mayo)
• 1 clove of garlic
• Juice of 1-2 limes
• 3 whole jalapenos
• Handful of cilantro

Hummus

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp of tahini
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp salt

METHOD

No. 1 | Rinse quinoa in a strainer. Add to large saucepan with the water or bone broth. Bring to a boil, cover and turn the stove down to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa with a fork and let cool. Set aside.

No. 2 | Preheat your frying pan or grill pan. Slice tofu into 1 inch squares, approximately 1/2 inch thick. Brush with your favourite marinade or olive oil and fry/grill until light brown for approximately 3 mins per side. Set aside.

No. 3 | Add strained chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice and salt in a blender. Begin blending on medium speed, slowly drizzle in olive oil and gradually increase speed to high, for one minute, until smooth. Place in fridge to cool.

No. 4 | Using a handheld or stand alone blender, combine all sauce ingredients on high speed until smooth. Pour into a squeeze bottle and store for up to 1 week.

No. 5 | Grate, chop or spiralize vegetables of your choice and assemble your bowl.

The nutrient packed punch and versatility of the Buddha Bowl makes it a no fuss lunch choice – go ahead, grab everything in your kitchen – except the sink, of course.

Bon Appetit xo

Chef | Sous Chef