Bowled Over
"Bowls" , or "Buddha Bowls" have been a big thing in the food world for about 8, or 10 years now. You can even find them pre-made in your local supermarket, or even fast food drive-throughs. I buy them occasionally at the deli section in our Safeway and the Panda Express. They're just OK...nothing to write home about. But, the ones that we make at home are really yummy and unique. Most of ours are chock full of highly nutritional goodies and are fun to eat. Plus, they're easy to make and require minimal clean-up.
I won't go into the step-by-step instructions on how to make a bowl. I think it's pretty self-explanatory. You just start with a big bowl, layer the ingredients from the bottom up. Begin with a starchy base s/a rice (I prefer brown) or a good noodle, or even potatoes, then pile on the layers of different ingredients, depending on what flavor profile you are going for. You can make them hot, or cold.
Here are some of my favorite combos:
(Hot) Cooked brown rice, seasoned Natto, baby spinach, cooked onion slivers, cooked broccoli florets, sprinkling of Spanish peanuts, sliced mango, grape tomatoes, spicy stir fry sauce drizzled on top.
(Hot, or cold) Cooked brown rice, cooked, peeled shrimp, cooked, cubed salmon, 1 canned sardine, shredded cabbage, baby spinach, cubed cucumbers, cubes of any cheese, capers, Kalamata olives, dressed with tomato sauce from canned sardines, a spritz of fresh squeezed lemon juice.
(Hot) Cooked brown rice, hot chili beans, grated cheddar cheese, shredded carrots, olives, chopped onions, cooked, cut-up hot dog (I like the vegan ones,) drizzled in ranch dressing.
(Hot) hot mashed potatoes, cooked spinach, grilled chopped chicken, cooked chopped mushrooms, cooked carrots, cooked peas.
I could go on and on. What are some of your bowl ideas?