I am going to take you step by step on how to make a consistently good bowl! The cool thing about bowls is that they’re like salads, but more exciting. They can be whatever you want, but there are a few main components you need every time to make them satisfying and filling.
In case you’re uninterested in reading this whole post (which I totally understand and respect), here is a quick grocery list for THE easiest bowl. You have ZERO time to make anything? Same. Heat this shit up in the microwave and toss on some soy sauce and avocado. There. Done. Move forth through your day.
- Rice or quinoa (can buy uncooked or in a microwavable bag)
- Frozen veggies (broccoli, edamame, peas, cauliflower, or a premixed bag of veggies)
- Sriracha and soy sauce
- Avocado
1. pick a starch base
You may thing you don’t need this. You’re wrong. Unless you’re on some serious keto or self restraint shit, you need to add a starch. Starch makes you happy, so just add it please. Some of my favorite options are:
- brown or white rice
- quinoa
- potatoes (roasted or mashed)
- pasta (this is a ballsy choice. Ive done it before, but I would only do it if you’re really feeling it)
2. pick a green
This is more of an optional addition, but I like to always add greens because they make my brain feel good and clear. You might be thinking, “Grace, you idiot, if you add a green then its a salad!!” No. It’s not. You’re wrong. You’re gonna sprinkle this shit on top of the grain. In this scenario, the green is NOT your main attraction. Some good greens:
- spinach (superior leafy green)
- mixed greens
- finely chopped romaine
- arugula (add sparingly, its very bitter)
- micro greens (if you’re feeling fancy, I’ve never actually bought micro greens but a lot of restaurants add them for clout)
DO NOT add kale unless it is well marinated. I don’t know how to well marinate kale, maybe because I have never tried. But let me tell you, if you add some tough kale to this bowl you WILL hate yourself. So just don’t do it.
3. add some veggies
Once again, you may be thinking, “Grace!!!! I added spinach, that is a vegetable”. You’re not necessarily wrong this time, but you should still add more veggies. I consider vegetables to be a separate category than greens. They will add a different texture, and fill you up more than greens will. Also adding more veggies will by default make you feel better about yourself.
You have two option with the veggies. Either buy them frozen and the microwave them (I always have frozen veggies on hand), or you MUST marinate and roast/sauté them well. Don’t worry, I will tell you how to do it. Very easy.
How to prepare your veggies (almost any kind)
- chop into bite sized parts
- mix some olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, nutritional yeast in a bowl (could also mix them in a store-bought sauce such as tamari, peanut sauce, teriyaki, or curry)
- toss your veggies in the sauce you just made, make sure they’re well covered
- throw these marinated veggies in a pan with some olive oil, put the pan lid on, and let them cook (check on them every few minutes, and stir around a little)
You will know the veggies are done when you can stab them easily with a fork and/or they turn a different color.
my favorite veggies to eat in bowls
- broccoli
- brussel sprouts
- steamed green beans (I don’t put these in any sauce, just steam)
- cauliflower
- zucchini (I don’t really like zucchini but its a texture thing for me)
- carrots
- red/yellow/orange peppers
- sautéed mushrooms (I’m just going to throw these in this category because I think it feels right)
4. pick some beans
Firstly, I want you to notice how I didn’t say “add a protein”. I didn’t say this because ALL PLANTS HAVE PROTEIN. Therefore when you are making a bowl full of plants, each plant you put in is “adding protein”. Just like how every cell in our bodies needs protein for basic functioning, plants do too!!
Adding beans will especially fill you up. Here are a few of my favorites to add!
- garbanzo beans (my favorite)
- black beans
- red kidney beans
- pinto beans (I only like them in Mexican inspired bowls)
- edamame (this one is odd because I kind of think of edamame as its own category since I eat them plain… but nevertheless good in bowls)
5. pick a sauce
This is probably the most important part of your bowl journey. A great sauce will make any bowl go from good to amazing. You can find recipes for my favorites on my “sauces and dressings” page. I’ll give a short recap right here and some additional ideas.
- cashew cream
- creamy cesar dressing
- honey dijon dressing
- peanut sauce ( I buy from the store)
- plain hummus on the side, and drizzle olive oil or vinaigrette over everything in the bowl
- cilantro lime dressing (I don’t have a recipe for this yet, but I’ve gotten it from restaurants before, and I’m sure they have some at your local grocery store)
- drizzle olive oil and Sriracha, maybe add a dash of salt and nutritional yeast too!
- red wine vinegar and olive oil drizzle (or if you have sesame oil use that!)
6. add a lil something else!!
Throw any mixture of this stuff on top of your bowl as you like!
- peas (I buy them frozen then just microwave them to thaw)
- pico de Gallo
- chopped tomato
- chopped onions
- baked tofu (recipe on “food” page)
- tortilla strips or broken up tortilla chips
- vegan shredded cheese
- avocado
- raisins or cranberry raisins
- thinly sliced strawberries, apples, or blueberries
- pine nuts
- slided beets
grace monshausen 