Vegetarian
Buddha Bowl with Veggies and Tahini Dressing
Description
Give your workweek lunch a boost with a simple and healthy Buddha Bowl. Made with roasted veggies, protein-packed quinoa and tofu, and a creamy tahini dressing, buddha bowls are a quick and easy vegetarian and vegan lunch recipe that will leave you glowing!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup uncooked quinoa
- ¾ pound cut broccoli florets
- ¾ pound cut cauliflower florets about 1/2 medium-sized head, cut into slightly smaller pieces than the broccoli
- 1 medium red onion cut into 1/2-inch rings, rings mostly separated but still left “chunky” (no need to split every layer)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus additional for cooking the quinoa
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 block extra firm tofu (12 to 14-ounces) (do not use firm or silken), removed from packaged and pressed dry
- 2 small ripe Hass avocados
- Optional for serving: Sliced cucumbers and toasted almonds or pistachios, additional fresh mint and parsley
- For the Tahini Dressing:
- ½ cup tahini* well stirred
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 2 large lemons
- 1 ½ cups lightly packed fresh mint leaves about 1 of the herb packs
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh parsley leaves
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the quinoa. Return to boil, cover, then reduce heat and simmer for 12 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork, then recover and let stand for 15 minutes. (This is the cooking process for the brand of quinoa I use. Check the package of your quinoa and cook according to its directions.) Set cooked quinoa aside.
- Place a rack in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. While the quinoa cooks and the oven preheats, place the tofu between two kitchen towels and set it on a plate. Place a second plate on top, then press firmly to press out as much water from the tofu as you can, changing out the towels as needed. Dice into 3/4-inch cubes, then spread in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the broccoli, cauliflower, and onion on a second baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper, toss to coat, then spread into an even layer. Place both baking sheets into your oven. Bake the tofu until dry and firm, about 20 minutes, and the vegetables until caramelized and tender, about 25 minutes. Flip the vegetables once halfway through, and rotate the top and bottom rack positions of the baking sheets. Set aside.
- While the vegetables and tofu cook, prepare the dressing: In the bowl of a food processor or blender, place all of the dressing ingredients—tahini, lemon juice, mint, parsley, salt, and pepper, and add 1/2 cup water. Blend until smooth.
- Once the tofu is cooked, let cool slightly, and then place the tofu cubes in a bowl with 1/4 cup of the dressing and toss gently to coat. To assemble the bowls, scoop quinoa into a bowl, then top with the roasted vegetables, dressed tofu, and avocado, along with cucumber, almonds, and additional fresh mint and/or parsley as desired. Serve remaining dressing on the side and use as a dip or spoon over the top as desired.
