Healthy Buddha Bowls [Infographic]
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Buddha bowls are as aesthetically pleasing as they are appetizing — and they’re good for you too.
In today’s blog post, we break down what a Buddha bowl is, explain how to prepare one, and share recipes for healthy Buddha bowls. Let’s dig in!
What is a Buddha bowl?
To put it simply, a Buddha bowl is a colorful, filling vegetarian dish comprised of whole grains, protein, and vegetables. The variety of ingredients in one bowl provides a healthy, balanced meal.
Where does the term Buddha bowl come from?
Dan Zigmond, a Zen priest and the author of Buddha’s Diet, reveals a possible origin story for the name:
“Buddha woke up before dawn every morning and carried his bowl through the roads or paths wherever he was staying. Local people would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end he would eat whatever he had been given,” Zigmond told Epicurious.
“So that was the original Buddha Bowl: a big bowl of whatever food villagers had available and could afford to share. It was probably pretty healthy, since Buddha lived before the age of cheap processed food, but it was also probably pretty simple, maybe rice and a simple curry.”
You can also find this trendy dish on menus going under nicknames like macro bowls, grain bowls, bliss bowls, or hippie bowls.
Regardless of the name — these one-bowl meals are packed full of wholesome ingredients to power your day.
How to prepare a Buddha bowl at home
To make a simple Buddha bowl, first cook a whole grain, such as brown rice or quinoa. Then decide on your vegetarian protein, such as tofu or chickpeas. Next, slice up some vegetables (raw or cooked).
When you’re ready to serve, divide and arrange the ingredients into wide, shallow bowls. Top with your favorite sauce or dressing. You can also sprinkle on extra toppings like nuts, sprouts, and seeds to add crunch, color, and flavor.
You can get inspiration for your own Buddha bowl ingredients by searching for the hashtag #buddhabowl on Instagram. Is your mouth watering yet?
If you’d prefer to follow a recipe, check out these five healthy Buddha bowls below:
Healthy Buddha bowls
Get the recipes:
- Masala Chickpea Buddha Bowl
- Coconut Jasmine Rice with Sesame Tofu
- Chickpea Couscous Bowls with Tahini Sauce
- Roasted Garlic Buddha Bowl
- Japanese Buddha Bowl
Buddha bowls are perfect for meal prep, because you can make a large quantity of grains, protein, and vegetables at once. Just cover and save any leftover bowls in the refrigerator to enjoy Buddha bowls all week long.
Have you created your own Buddha bowl before? Leave a comment to share how it turned out!
To find more healthy recipe ideas, view these infographics next:
