Clean Out Your Fridge Buddha Bowls

Are you looking for a delicious and healthy meal that's also a great way to use up those lingering veggies in your fridge? Look no further than this customizable Buddha bowl recipe! The star of this dish is undoubtedly the flavorful seasoning blend, which transforms ordinary vegetables into a mouthwatering feast.

The Magic is in the Seasoning

What sets this Buddha bowl apart is its irresistible seasoning mix. A perfect blend of cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, pepper, paprika, and dried rosemary creates a warm, aromatic profile that elevates any vegetable it touches. This seasoning is the secret weapon that will make you excited about eating your veggies!

Embrace Flexibility: Use What You Have

While our recipe suggests sweet potatoes, broccoli, and brussels sprouts as the base vegetables, the beauty of this Buddha bowl lies in its adaptability. Feel free to swap these out for whatever produce you have on hand. Got some carrots about to go soft? Throw them in! Cauliflower looking a bit sad? It'll be delicious roasted with this seasoning! This recipe is your perfect opportunity to clean out the fridge and reduce food waste.

Protein-Packed and Customizable

We've included chickpeas for a protein boost, but don't stop there. This bowl welcomes any beans, lentils, or grains you might have lurking in your pantry. Quinoa, brown rice, or even leftover barley can serve as an excellent base. The goal is to create a balanced, satisfying meal using what you already have.

The Creamy Finish: Tahini Dressing

To tie all these elements together, we've included a recipe for a luscious tahini dressing. Creamy, tangy, and with a hint of sweetness, this dressing complements the roasted vegetables perfectly. The touch of cilantro adds a fresh note, but if you're not a fan, feel free to omit it or replace it with parsley.

Recipe Highlights

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 4

Remember, this recipe is more of a guideline than a strict rulebook. The quantities can be easily adjusted based on what you have and your personal preferences. The key is to have fun and get creative with your ingredients!

Ingredients

For the bowls:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (500 g), diced
• 1 large head (500 g) broccoli, diced
• 1 cup (88 g) brussels sprouts, halved
• 1 15.5oz can (439 g) chickpeas, drained and dried
• 4-5 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Cooked rice of choice
• Optional: beans, lentils, quinoa, or any grain on hand

For the seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon each of:
  • cinnamon
  • ground ginger
  • salt
  • pepper
  • paprika
  • dried rosemary

For the tahini dressing:

• ½ cup (120 ml) tahini
• 2 tablespoon warm water
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3-4 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Prepare the chickpeas:
   • Drain and rinse the chickpeas, removing any loose skins.
   • Pat dry with paper towels and set aside.
2. Preheat and prep:
   • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
   • Dice sweet potatoes and broccoli into small pieces and peel and half the brussels sprouts.
3. Season and roast vegetables:
   • In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, broccoli and brussels sprouts with 2-3 tablespoon oil and seasoning mix.
   • Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
   • In a separate bowl, toss chickpeas with 1 tablespoon oil and a pinch of salt.
   • Spread chickpeas on another baking sheet.
   • Roast vegetables for 25-30 minutes, adding chickpeas to the oven for the last 15 minutes.
4. Make the tahini dressing:
   • Whisk together tahini, water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and minced garlic until smooth.
   • Adjust consistency with warm water if needed.
   • Stir in chopped cilantro.
5. Assemble the bowls:
   • Start with a base of warm rice or chosen grain.
   • Add roasted vegetables and chickpeas.
   • Include any additional beans, lentils, or quinoa if desired.
   • Drizzle generously with tahini dressing.

Final Thoughts

This Buddha bowl is more than just a recipe – it's a template for delicious, healthy eating that adapts to your needs and what's available in your kitchen. By mastering this flexible approach to cooking, you'll find yourself wasting less food, enjoying more variety in your meals, and maybe even discovering new favorite flavor combinations.

So, the next time you open your fridge and see an assortment of vegetables that need to be used up, remember this Buddha bowl. With its stellar seasoning and creamy tahini dressing, you're just a roasting session away from a satisfying, nutritious meal that cleans out your fridge in the most delicious way possible. Happy cooking!

Tips and Variations

• Make a big batch of the seasoning mix and store it in a labeled spice jar for future use.
• Customize your bowls with different vegetables like roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots.
• For a grain-free option, use cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles as the base.
• Add a handful of fresh greens like spinach or arugula for extra nutrients.
• Garnish with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or a squeeze of lemon for added flavor and texture.
• These bowls are great for meal prep – roast the vegetables and make the dressing in advance for quick assembly during the week.