There’s something magical about throwing a bunch of colorful veggies into a bowl and calling it a meal. This Easy Vegan Buddha Bowl is like a painter’s palette, bursting with vibrant hues and flavors that dance on your taste buds. Last weekend, I whipped it up for dinner, and my kitchen felt like a lively garden party—minus the mosquitoes.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Coat sweet potato pieces with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread them on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
- Use a mandoline to slice the radish into thin rounds. Peel the carrots into ribbons using a vegetable peeler, and combine them with shredded cabbage. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to this mix and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, place the kale leaves and add a squeeze of lemon juice and a few pinches of salt. Massage the leaves with your hands until they soften and reduce in volume by about half.
- To assemble the bowls, start with a base of brown rice. Top with chickpeas, massaged kale, carrot ribbons, radish slices, shredded cabbage, roasted sweet potatoes, and sauerkraut.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and microgreens, if using. Season the assembled bowls with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with the turmeric tahini sauce drizzled on top.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes, diced
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Watermelon radish, thinly sliced
- Rainbow carrots, peeled into ribbons
- Red cabbage, shredded
- Lemon, for squeezing
- Kale leaves
- Brown rice, cooked
- Chickpeas, cooked
- Sauerkraut
- Sesame seeds
- Microgreens (optional)
- Turmeric Tahini Sauce
FAQ
- What is a Buddha Bowl and why is it called that?
- A Buddha Bowl is a colorful meal typically filled with grains, legumes, vegetables, and flavorful sauces. The name might be inspired by the way Buddha used to collect alms, utilizing a large bowl to gather small portions of food that villagers could spare.
- What components are essential in making a Buddha Bowl?
- A classic Buddha Bowl includes a creamy sauce, cooked and raw vegetables, leafy greens, a legume, a grain, and a pickled vegetable. For example, you might use a turmeric tahini sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, kale, chickpeas, brown rice, and sauerkraut.
- Can I customize my Buddha Bowl?
- Absolutely! You can switch up the vegetables, try different proteins like lentils or tofu, use alternative grains such as quinoa or couscous, and experiment with various sauces like peanut sauce or lemon vinaigrette. You can also change the pickled element by using pickled onions or jalapeños.
- How can I make my Buddha Bowl meal prep-friendly?
- Prepare the components ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Items like roasted sweet potatoes, cooked grains, and sauces keep well for a few days, making it easy to assemble bowls for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
- What are some alternative plant-based recipes similar to a Buddha Bowl?
- If you enjoy Buddha Bowls, you might also like dishes such as Rainbow Kale Salad, Sesame Soba Noodles, or a Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl. These meals are nutrient-rich, flavorful, and easy to customize to your preferences.
Tips
- Prep in Advance: Prepare the different components of the Buddha bowl ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. This technique not only saves time during the week but also makes it convenient to assemble a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.
- Customize the Ingredients: Feel free to swap out ingredients based on your preference or what you have available. Try different proteins like tofu or edamame, or substitute grains such as quinoa or farro instead of brown rice.
- Experiment with Cooking Methods: Enhance the flavor profile by trying different cooking methods. For example, you can steam or sauté the kale instead of using it raw, or grill vegetables in the summer for a smoky taste.
- Diversify the Sauce and Pickles: Change up the flavors by using different sauces like peanut sauce or lemon vinaigrette, and try various pickled vegetables such as pickled red onions or jalapeños for an extra tangy kick.
Equipment
- Mandoline slicer – for thinly slicing the radish into rounds.
- Vegetable peeler – for peeling the carrots into ribbons.
- Large baking sheet – for roasting the sweet potatoes.
- Parchment paper – to line the baking sheet.
