Build-your-own Buddha bowl

Try this version or use this as a guide and choose the veggies you like.


Build-your-own Buddha bowl

If you want a nourishing meal with little bites of everything, try making a Buddha bowl.

Start with a base of cooked whole grain and add all the colors of the rainbow. This recipe calls for spelt, but you could use brown, red, black, or red rice; farro; quinoa; or many other grains.

The more varied the color of your foods, the more nutrients you’re getting. Try roasting a couple of trays of vegetables on the weekend and use them throughout the week for recipes like this one, and for soups, sandwiches, and side dishes. Use fresh and cooked vegetables depending on the season and your preferences.

Servings: 1

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cooked spelt (or other whole grain)
  • 1/3 cup kale and mushrooms, sautéed
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin, roasted
  • 1/4 cup sweet potato, roasted
  • 2 snow peas, blanched*
  • 1/4 cup broccoli, roasted
  • 1/8 cup red cabbage, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons kernel corn

Optional. To blanch snow peas, immerse them for about 30 seconds in a pot of boiling water. Pour into a colander and rinse under cold running water. Shock in a bowl of ice water until the cubes melt. Drain well.

Dressing (makes more than needed for one Buddha bowl)

  • 1/2 tablespoon minced or grated ginger
  • 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon agave or honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
  • 2 tablespoons miso paste (Japanese seasoning)
  • 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/8 cup water or more for desired consistency
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • White or black pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Layer 1/3 cup grain at bottom of bowl (save the rest to top off the bowl).
  2. Arrange vegetables on top of the grain.
  3. Separately, mix together all dressing ingredients and shake it up.
  4. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of dressing over bowl and enjoy! 

Nutrition information (per serving)

  • Calories: 320
  • Total fat: 13 g
  • Saturated fat: 1.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: 390 mg
  • Total carbohydrate: 50 g
  • Dietary fiber: 9 g
  • Total sugars: 13 g
  • Protein: 9 g