How to Build a Colorful, Nutrient-Packed Spring Buddha Bowl

They're chic, bourgeois, à la mode… but what are Buddha bowls, and will the consumption of such a platter enlighten one enough to render meditation, mindfulness and journaling exercises unnecessary?

Well, as to the latter question, the short answer is no - although the flavours of a good Buddha bowl could create such satisfaction that enjoying each mouthful is a lesson in mindfulness…

To address the former question though, well… in a not-so-shocking turn of events, the Buddha was known to eat out of a bowl (I should have warned you to sit down for that…) which he carried on his daily pilgrimage.

Local village dwellers would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end of the day, the Buddha would eat what had been given. Distilled down to its essence, a Buddha bowl is an eclectic mix of whatever happens to be in abundance at the time.

Not quite so fancy as what those bohemian cafes would have one believe… but very versatile and utterly delicious!

Here's a sample of a Buddha bowl recipe for your delectation - swap out ingredients for whatever appropriate substitution you happen to have plenty of.

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 1¼ cups brown rice, quinoa, farro - or any grain of your choosing
  • 1½ cups frozen shelled edamame
  • 1½ cups peas, broad beans or broccoli florets
  • 2 Tbsp tamari sauce or soy sauce
  • 4 cups chopped cabbage, kale, spinach or Cos lettuce
  • 2 ripe avocados, pitted and sliced into strips
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
  • Lime wedges, sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil for garnish

For the dressing:

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ⅓ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 Tbsp ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1½ Tbsp honey
  • 1½ tsp toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ tsp salt

Method:

Cool the rice/ grains according to your preferred method, adding in the edamame for the final 5 minutes. In the final 2 minutes of cooking, toss in the peas/ broad beans/ broccoli (or fry these on the side - whichever works best for you!). Season with tamari/ soy sauce and mix well. Divide the rice/ grain mixture into 4 bowls and top with the raw greens (these can be lightly steamed or fried if that suits your taste buds better). Top with avocado, cucumbers, spring onions, a wedge of lime, sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

Make the dressing: in a blender, combine the dressing ingredients and blitz until completely smooth. Give it a taste and add more salt and honey where required.

Drizzle the carrot ginger dressing over the Buddha bowls and enjoy! Whether you achieve enlightenment is at your discretion.

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