I don’t know about you, but my cravings seem to come in phases. Sometimes, all I want is something rich and heavy and decadent. I’ll enjoy all the cheese and chocolate and baked goods I want and then, boom! The cravings switch. Suddenly, I’ll want fresh, colorful fruits and veggies and lots of them. I try to maximize these healthy craving phases by packing in as many nutritious ingredients as I possibly can into each meal and this Balanced Buddha Bowl is one of my favorite ways to do just that.
A Buddha Bowl is essentially a salad made up of a variety of deliciously wholesome, vegetarian ingredients. Typically, they include greens, grains, veggies, legumes, and some healthy fats. I love the fact that the options are endless when creating these nutrition-packed meals. Plus, I love anything that only requires a single dish. (Less dishwashing for me—woohoo!).
When I assemble my Buddha Bowl, my goal is to create a really good balance of textures and flavors (hence, the name). There is something so enjoyable about being able to experience a combination of crunchy, smooth, creamy, salty, earthy, and tangy all in one nourishing bite. So, gather up your favorite ingredients and grab a big bowl and get ready to create a meal that will leave you so utterly satisfied, you’ll be sure you’ve found culinary nirvana.
Ingredients
· ¼ cup of cooked lentils (other options: black beans, garbanzo beans, edmame)
· ¼ cup of cooked brown rice (other options: white rice or quinoa)
· ½ of a roasted sweet potato (I like to roast mine in some olive oil and nori flakes at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden. Beets or carrots with fresh ginger would also be great options.)
· ½ cup of radish sprouts (other options: arugula, mixed greens, spinach, or kale)
· ¼ of an avocado
· 1/8 cup of hummus
· 1/8 cup of Majestic Garlic Cayenne Garlic Spread
· 1/8 cup of seaweed salad
· 6-8 sprouted raw almonds tossed in olive oil and coated with red chili powder
· 1 lime wedge
Arrange the ingredients in the bowl with the largest quantities of ingredients creating the base. It may be easiest to add greens first, followed by the rice, then sweet potatoes, and finally lentils. Add the seaweed salad, avocado, hummus, cayenne garlic spread, almonds, and squeeze the lime over the top.
Either toss the salad together to fully combine the flavors or eat it as is, enjoying each individual flavor!
