SPRING BUDDHA BOWL WITH LEMON TAHINI

Yield: 2 servings

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Buddha bowls, also known as, Wellness Bowls, Power Bowls, Macro Bowls or Grain Bowls, are a nutrient dense, colorful and flavorful combination of food served in a large bowl (like Buddha's belly).  These bowls are designed as a great way to get all your nutrients, such as, carbs, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Buddha bowls are also great to meal prep in advance for quick, easy meals.  No matter what you call them, the following is a guideline to building your own.  Add an item from each category and drizzle on your favorite dressing or sauce.
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1. Grain:  rice, quinoa, farro, millet, couscous or pasta 
2. Protein: beans, peas, lentils, tofu 
3. Vegetables: use fresh and/or cooked vegetables  (make it colorful: eat the rainbow!)
4. Seeds and/or nuts: sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, cashews
5. Herbs: any variety of fresh herbs
6. Dressing or sauce: this is the key to tie the whole dish together!

Below is my recipe for a Spring Buddha Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing. I love adding roasted and raw vegetables. The lemon tahini dressing is a delicious addition to tie it all together. I hope you enjoy this one and also trying your own creations.

​Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of asparagus, cut into 1/2 “pieces
• 2 carrots, peel and cut into 1” rounds
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup, cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 cup farro, cooked (can also use quinoa)
• 1, 15 oz can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 avocado
• 2  tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• fresh herbs (mint, parsley, dill, basil)
• 1 lemon
• ½ cup tahini
• 1 clove garlic

1. Add carrots, asparagus and garbanzo beans to a large baking sheet. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until tender.

To assemble your bowl:

1. Add a scoop of cooked farro to a serving bowl
2. Next add fresh spinach and tomatoes
3. Add the roasted vegetables and garbanzo beans
4. Sprinkle on fresh herbs (mint, dill, parsley)
5. Drizzle on Lemon tahini dressing (recipe below)
6. Top with sunflower seeds and avocado slices

Lemon Tahini Dressing

• juice of 1 lemon, about ¼ cup
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ground black pepper
• ¼ - ½ cup water (as needed to thin)
• Combine all dressing ingredients together in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth

For more meal prep tips and ideas, check out my post here:  Meal Planning Tips