Buddha Bowl

This is more of a meal template than an actual recipe.  To create a vegetarian meal that's a complete protein, combine a grain with nuts, seeds, beans or dairy OR use a grain that's a complete protein (like quinoa or buckwheat).  You can also simply ensure that you balance out your protein needs during your other meals.

Choose your grain & prepare 1-2 cups per serving:

• rice (white/brown/wild/black/red), quinoa, millet, barley, buckwheat, etc.

OPTIONAL - Choose your legume or animal protein & prepare 1 cup per serving:

• chickpeas, beans (black, white, kidney, pinto, etc.), lentils, hummus, etc. (lentils are a complete protein)
• fish, chicken, beef, lamb, pork

Choose 2 or more vegetables (the more, the better).  Steam, saute, stir fry or roast 2 or more cups per person:

• RED: tomato
• RED/PURPLE: beets, eggplant, red bell pepper, red cabbage
• ORANGE: carrot, sweet potato, winter squash (butternut, acorn)
• YELLOW/GREEN: zucchini, summer squash, green beans, peas, cucumber, corn, spinach, collard/mustard/turnip greens, yellow/green bell peppers
• GREEN: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, green cabbage
• WHITE/GREEN: asparagus, artichoke, endive, mushrooms, celery, leeks, onion, garlic 

Add dressing to taste:

• Sesame Ginger dressing
• Lemon Tahini dressing
• Lemon dressing
• Cumin-Line Dressing
• Peanut sauce
• Greek dressing
• Italian dressing
• Teriyaki sauce
• olive oil + apple cider vinegar
• Bragg’s amino acids
• sesame oil
• add more heat with a dash of cayenne or a splash of Srirachi sauce

Add 1 Tab. to 1/4 cup of topping(s) per serving:

• seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax, hemp, sesame, etc.) - I love to roast my sunflower & pumpkin seeds
• nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, etc.) - I love to roast my nuts & seeds to bring out their flavor
• microgreens
• sprouts
• chopped herbs (cilantro, parsley, mint, etc.)

The basic instructions for assembling your Buddha Bowl are to layer the ingredients as follows:

1. Start with a base of cooked grain.
2. Add legumes or animal protein, if using.
3. Add cooked vegetables.
4. Add dressing.
5. Sprinkle toppings over your bowl.

Use your imagination!  You can also start with a base layer of cooked greens, add veggies & legumes, then top with nuts/seeds and dressing.  Add chicken, shrimp, poached eggs or another protein.  Travel the culinary world and make a buddha bowl inspired by Greece, Italy, India, Morocco, Spain, Japan or China.

Some ideas:
Quinoa & avocado with tomatoes, kale, fresh corn, roasted pumpkin seeds, cilantro & cumin-lime dressing
White beans & brown rice with red cabbage, carrots, broccoli, sprouts & sesame ginger dressing
Basmati rice & chickpeas with spinach, sweet potato & creamy tahini dressing
Cauliflower "rice" with zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, parsley, hummus & olive oil