Mediterranean Buddha Bowl

By Mary Ellen Zung, Mary Ellen Zung Health Coach 
Do you know about bowls?  We’re generally used to eating our meals on a plate, rather than a bowl, unless we are slurping soup!  Bowls are often used for those who enjoy a plant-based lifestyle.  Simply prepared grains, vegetables, proteins (like beans, tofu, lentils, tempeh), dips, sauces or dressings, and healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, seeds, olives) are combined in a bowl and flavors, colors, and textures complement each other to create a pleasant looking as well as tasting meal. ​

Here’s a simple and tasty bowl that can be prepped ahead with ingredients being stored separately in the refrigerator for easy assembly before mealtime, or each serving being assembled ahead of time for a true prep it and forget it experience.

​Mediterranean Buddha Bowl

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa (dry, uncooked)
1 head romaine hearts (chopped)
1 cup chickpeas (cooked)
1 cucumber (chopped)
1 red bell pepper (chopped)
½ cup red onion
½ cup hummus
½ cup pitted kalamata olives
¼ cup Extra Virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ tsp Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the package, and set aside.
2. Divide the chopped romaine equally between serving bowls. Top with equal amounts of quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, hummus, and olives.
3. Add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning and sea salt to a jar. Seal and shake well to combine.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the top of the assembled buddha bowls and serve. Enjoy!

Mary Ellen Zung, BA is a Certified Holistic Health Coach helping her clients with lifestyle change for overall health and wellness. She can be reached at [email protected] and through her website www.maryellenzung.com.