Vibrant Buddha Bowl Grains (Print version)

Nourishing bowl of grains, vibrant veggies, protein, and creamy tahini dressing for a wholesome meal.

# Required ingredients:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water

→ Proteins (choose one)

03 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed
04 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10.5 oz), sliced

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup shredded carrots
07 - 1 cup baby spinach
08 - 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
09 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
10 - 2 radishes, thinly sliced
11 - 2 tbsp pickled red onions (optional)

→ Dressing

12 - 3 tbsp tahini
13 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
16 - 2 tbsp water (to thin)
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

19 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
20 - Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped

# How to make it:

01 - Prepare quinoa or brown rice according to package instructions, then fluff and set aside.
02 - For tofu, toss cubed tofu with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, turning halfway until golden. For chicken, season slices with salt and pepper and sauté in olive oil over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until fully cooked.
03 - Halve cherry tomatoes, shred carrots, steam broccoli florets, slice avocado and radishes while grains and protein cook.
04 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup or honey, water, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
05 - Distribute cooked grains evenly into four bowls, arrange vegetables and chosen protein on top in sections, and drizzle generously with tahini dressing.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs over each bowl. Optionally, add pickled red onions. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's endlessly adaptable, so you're never bored and your leftovers don't feel like punishment.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, making weeknight dinners feel almost effortless even when you're running on fumes.
  • The tahini dressing is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on literally everything else you eat.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu is non-negotiable if you want it to absorb seasoning; skipping this step means paying for the lesson in every bland bite.
  • Make the dressing less thick than you think it should be, since it will coat the warm grains and thicken slightly as it cools.
  • Assemble the bowl right before eating unless you want everything turning into grain porridge; leftovers keep much better in separate containers.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes if you buy them raw; the difference between mediocre and incredible is literally that simple.
  • Make extra tahini dressing because it's too good to ration and you'll find yourself using it on roasted vegetables, grain bowls, sandwiches, and anything else that needs a creamy anchor.
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