This is the best Vegan Buddha Bowl recipe, with dozens of 5-Star reviews! With quinoa and a delicious vegan red pepper sauce.
Post updated on 6/20/24!
Happy Sunday, everyone! Today’s recipe is one of my favorite types of bowls – a vegan buddha bowl – that is named thusly after the food in the bowl piling up to look like buddha’s belly! Well, this bowl may not look exactly like that, but you get the idea.
But having an abundance of food like this really makes me stop and think about how grateful I am to even have food; never having to worry about where my next meal is coming from, or if I’ll have enough to eat. It is a privilege to have access to fresh food and enough free time to cook it and prepare it. Too many people around the world do not have that luxury.
How can one person make a difference?
As an individual, it can be really easy to feel powerless about changing the world. I had an argument on this very topic with one of my friends several years ago – he didn’t think that eating vegan or vegetarian meals would help anything, and that the industry would just “keep going on” without him. Which, to an extent, is true. But the assertion that one person going vegan doesn’t make a difference is NOT true! I encourage you go to to this website: VegetarianCalculator.com. This amazing tool allows you to calculate how many animals you’ve saved by eating vegetarian, and how many pounds of CO2 you didn’t release into the atmosphere by doing so. The results may surprise you – it turns out individuals can make an incredible difference by trying out vegan/vegetarian eating. You are empowered to do so much more than you think; you are EMPOWERED to save the world! It’s an incredibly positive and hopeful message. Individuals can make a difference!
And while I’m not a vegan or strict vegetarian anymore, I still maintain this same philosophy. By eating mostly vegetarian meals, choosing options like plant-based milks, and encouraging others to eat locally, I try to do my part to take care of our beautiful planet. I hope this inspires you as well!
The Vegan Buddha Bowl
Ingredients
Quinoa
- 1 Cup Quinoa rinsed
- 2 Cups Water
Chickpeas
- 1 1/2 Cups Cooked Chickpeas
- Drizzle Olive Oil or other neutral oil
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tsp Chili Powder
- 1/8 Tsp Turmeric
- 1/2 Tsp Oregano
Red Pepper Sauce
- 1 Red Bell Pepper ribs and seeds removed
- 2 Tbs Olive Oil or other neutral oil
- Juice from 1/2 Lemon or more to taste
- 1/2 Tsp Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro
Everything Else
- Mixed Greens
- An Avocado
- Sesame Seeds for Garnish
Instructions
- Start by cooking the quinoa. Bring 2 cups water to a boil, then add quinoa. Simmer for about 15 minutes until all water is absorbed. When done, remove from heat and keep covered for about 10 minutes so quinoa can absorb any excess water.
- Preheat oven to 425. In a bowl, toss chickpeas, oil, and spices until chickpeas are evenly coated. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake chickpeas for 15-20 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. When done, remove from oven and let cool.
- To make red pepper dressing, add all dressing ingredients to a blender (not a food processor) and blend on high until smooth. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Finally, assemble the buddha bowls. In two bowls, add quinoa, mixed greens, avocado, and chickpeas. Drizzle everything with red pepper sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Song of the Day:
Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
P.S.
For more recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
Leave a Reply