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Let’s face it. Buddha bowls have damn near been over-done. You can’t forgo seeing one as you scroll through Instagram. But, when you DO see it, you stop and drool for a few seconds, heart the picture, and then keep scrolling. The fact is…these grain bowls are so stinkin’ simple to create and can be fun to put together for a quick lunch. Learning ways to create badass combinations of your very own is what I call Buddha Bowl Brilliance.
What is a Buddha Bowl?
Legend has it, Buddha would wake before dawn, carrying a bowl through roads and paths, and let villagers fill his bowl with different kinds of food for him to devour. I’m sure he would then find a nice tree with shade to take a nap underneath and rub his belly. I don’t know about you but, I like a big bowl of yummy food just like our buddy, Buddha!
A true Buddha bowl should have at least 5 different ingredients with various textures and tastes. What I love about creating Buddha Bowls is the flavor profiles are endless. Whatever you’re in the mood for, think about the direction you want to go in terms of regional cuisine; Mexican, Italian, Asian, Peruvian, Middle Eastern. Once you have your spices, herbs, and regional ingredients together, you’ve got a badass buddha bowl in the making!
How to create your own Buddha Bowl
This is the part where you can get as creative as you want! Below, I have listed a few options to choose from and shared a link for a free Buddha Bowl Brilliance printable for you to keep in your recipe binder or on the fridge. They are just ideas to get you started. Before too long, you’ll be coming up with some epic Buddha Bowls!
Cooked Grains: quinoa, millet, brown short or long-grain rice, forbidden rice, barley, farro, buckwheat, or wheat berries
Protein: beans and legumes of any kind, baked tofu, seitan, or tempeh
Veggies: cauliflower, broccoli, shaved carrots, roasted beets or sweet potatoes,
Dressing: your favorite home-made dressings or peanut sauce
Healthy Fats: avocados, nuts and seeds, olives
Fresh Herbs: basil, mint, thyme, parsley, cilantro, tarragon
Crunch: green leafy lettuce, kale, cucumbers, radishes, sliced bell pepper
Now go make one! I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram and use the hashtag #buddhabowlbrilliance. Let’s see your skills!
My Buddha Bowl Brilliance for the Day
I went with a Middle Eastern flare for my bowl by using chickpeas, spices of coriander, and cumin. I was introduced to this delicious harissa by Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks. It’s great on top of just about anything. For this bowl, I used 1 tsp of the harissa and mixed it with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, fresh chopped dill, salt, and pepper for a yummy dressing. I’m not getting paid to push this product but, I do love it and would recommend it to anyone.
*Protein of choice: Chickpeas toasted in a skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp each of cumin, coriander, and za’atar
*Chickpeas, red quinoa, shaved and sautéed brussels sprouts, fresh chopped spinach, fresh chopped tomatoes, and cucumber slices topped with harissa dressing.
