Though my mom and dad are no vegans they respect my choices and are happy to let me use their kitchen and introduce them to easy-to-cook, yummy, healthy plant-based meals I love.

Since my mom had so many different types of vegs, both from the market and garden, in her fridge I decided to introduce my parents to a Buddha bowl.

But what is a Buddha bowl? To be honest I can be anything as long as its vegetarian and preferably vegan too. Buddha bowls are hearty, filling dishes made of various greens, raw or roasted veggies, beans, and/or a healthy grain like quinoa or brown rice. They often include toppings such as nuts, seeds and a homemade dressing/sauce for added texture and flavor.

It is the ideal dish to clear out the fridge. They make a perfect take-along lunch or quick dinner.

Mom and dad approved... that's for sure.

After this yummy quick dinner, I served them a vegan strawberry mousse in homemade edible chocolate cups. Recipe coming soon

BUILD-YOUR-OWN BUDDHA BOWL

Like mentioned earlier buddha bowls are a hotchpotch of different plant-based foods, raw, boiled, steamed or roasted.

Be creative and combine your favorite flavors.

Need more info on how to build your own bowl of plant-based bliss, find some guidelines below.

How to…

Chop some of your fav greens such as spinach, kale, arugula, bok choy, or watercress.
Add a starchy food such as brown rice, quinoa, barley, amaranth, buckwheat or (sweet) potatoes.
Then add some veggies (raw, cooked, roasted or a mix). A few examples: cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beets, carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, etc.

Now it’s time to add some protein such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, chia seeds, almonds, (Buddha bowls are usually vegetarian, but feel free to add leftover chicken, fish, etc.)

OPTIONAL: Add some super-foods like nuts, seeds, avocado, goji berries, blueberries, etc.
Add a dressing like hummus, olive oil-lemon juice-black pepper, peanut dressing, avocado dressing.

There you go… all the building blocks your body needs in one delicious bowl.

MY BUILD-YOUR-OWN BUDDHA BOWL INCLUDED:

Chickpeas roasted with cumin, oregano, paprika powder, Himalayan pink and black pepper
Roasted veggies with paprika powder, Himalayan pink and black pepper (parsnip, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, potato, carrot)
Mushrooms
Arugula, grated carrot, cucumber, radish
Avo dressing/sauce made of avocado, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, lemon juice, Himalayan pink and black pepper