Vibrant nourishing bowl with tahini (Printable Version)

A vibrant bowl combining grains, fresh veggies, protein options, and a creamy tahini dressing for a balanced meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water

→ Proteins (choose one)

03 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed
04 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (10.5 oz), sliced

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup shredded carrots
07 - 1 cup baby spinach
08 - 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
09 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
10 - 2 radishes, thinly sliced
11 - 2 tbsp pickled red onions (optional)

→ Dressing

12 - 3 tbsp tahini
13 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
16 - 2 tbsp water
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

19 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
20 - Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped

# Steps:

01 - Prepare quinoa or brown rice according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
02 - For tofu: Toss cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, turning once halfway until golden. For chicken: Season slices with salt and pepper. Sauté in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until cooked through.
03 - Halve cherry tomatoes, shred carrots, steam broccoli, slice avocado and radishes while grains and protein cook.
04 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup or honey, water, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
05 - Divide cooked grains evenly among four bowls. Arrange prepared vegetables and protein on top in sections. Drizzle with tahini dressing.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh herbs over bowls. Add pickled red onions if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can make it once and eat it for days, or swap ingredients based on whatever's in your fridge.
  • The tahini dressing is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on other things without thinking.
  • It's flexible enough for vegetarians and omnivores to sit down together without fuss.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu really does make the difference between soggy cubes and crispy golden ones—don't skip this step even if it feels tedious.
  • The tahini dressing will thicken as it sits, so make it just before serving or thin it with a splash of water if it's been waiting.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for about two minutes until fragrant—this one small step makes them taste exponentially better and transforms the final bowl.
  • If your tahini dressing seizes up or becomes too thick, thin it with warm water rather than more oil, and whisk it smoothly.
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