By Maria Marlowe (IIN)
If you’d like a hearty plant-based meal that will keep you satisfied, try this Buddha Bowl recipe.
A Buddha Bowl is a well-balanced meal, made primarily of various different cooked veggies, alongside a healthy portion of plant-based protein like chickpeas, beans, lentils, or quinoa, and some healthy fat like avocado and nuts or seeds on top. These beautiful bowls are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for your stomach.
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes – Serves 2
Ingredients:
- lentils
- sweet potato cubed
- mushrooms
- cauliflower
- spinach
- cherry tomatoes
- carrot
- onion garlic, salt, and thyme.
- olive oil and spices
- lemon – 2 tsp lemon juice
- Optional: Add a scoop of hummus or sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, hemp seeds, and or pumpkin seeds
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On one sheet, lay out the tomatoes in a flat layer. Top evenly with garlic, salt, and thyme.
- In a bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with the oil and spices. Lay out on the same baking sheet in a flat layer. Set aside
- In the same bowl, toss the cauliflower with the oil and spices. Lay out on the second baking sheet in a single flat layer.
- Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, tossing/flipping everything about halfway through. Veggies should be soft and just starting to brown when done.
- Meanwhile, make the lentils. In a medium stockpot over medium heat, add the oil, onion, garlic, and carrot. Cook for about 7 minutes, until fragrant.
- Then, add the lentils, thyme, and water. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium low for about 25 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. (You can drain off excess water if needed).
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the lentils and season with salt to taste if desired.
- While that is cooking, sauté the mushrooms. In a pan over medium heat, heat the oil, then add the mushrooms, onions, and thyme. Sauté 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed to avoid sticking, until mushrooms are soft.
- Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl and return the pan to the stove (no need to wash, you can use any remnants of oil for the spinach).
Heat the pan again over medium heat.
Add oil if needed (or use oil already there), then add garlic and spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes, until wilted. When all of the components are done, you can assemble the bowls.
Split all of the veggies in half and put one half in each bowl. Add a scoop of hummus and/or sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, hemp seeds, and/or pumpkin seeds, if desired.