Paleo Buddha Bowl

I just love anything in a bowl!  So much goodness packed into "one-stop" eating! 

I came across this recipe idea thinking the Buddha name was catchy, and the fact that it was in a bowl made it even more enticing, and so, on the menu it goes!  The unique things about this recipe are the base layer of Coconut Caulirice and the peanut sauce (yum), as a matter of fact, the Coconut Caulirice has now taken on a life of its own in my menu planning.  The toppings in the bowl I took as more of a "suggestion" 😬 replacing roasted tofu with shredded roasted chicken and adding avocado, because I just happen to have a surplus.  It is topped with a peanut sauce, which I made with almond butter, and the soy sauce it called for was replaced with coconut aminos. After a conversation with a friend who thinks you just can't replace the peanuts in the peanut sauce, I tried it both ways, almond butter and peanut butter.  The almond sauce was milder and didn't have quite the pop of flavor as the peanut sauce did, but I do try to eliminate peanuts from my menu and the almond sauce is still quite tasty - so I'm happy with the almond sauce 🤗

FOR THE COCONUT CAULIRICE -

6-7 cups shredded cauliflower, about 1 small head
1 cup light coconut milk
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup chopped cilantro

Add the riced cauliflower to a pan and stir in the light coconut milk, garlic powder, and the shredded coconut.  Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the caulirice is tender.  Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.  

FOR THE TOPPINGS (again, these are just suggestions)

Shredded roasted chicken
Grated carrot
Diced avocado
Mixed greens
Steamed broccoli
Toasted sesame seeds

FOR THE PEANUT/ALMOND SAUCE

1/2 cup light coconut milk
5 Tbsp peanut or almond butter
2 Tbsp coconut aminos
1 Tbsp real maple syrup
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
2 tsp rice vinegar
pinch of sea salt

Whisk all the sauce ingredients together.  I did add the sweet chili sauce, whose main ingredient is sugar, but I have since found some alternative Whole30 sweet chili sauce recipe ideas and will continue to practice that one!  Keep checking back here!

Where did the name come from anyway? This research was very interesting, and the results are -  drum roll please  -  there isn't a real definition of a "buddha bowl", but there are certainly many intriguing theories!  Someone along the way who started this name was influenced by the Buddhist idea that balance is a large part of spiritual life.  Carry that thought over into our eating habits and the buddha bowl idea provides a balance for the different types of foods you eat, not eating too much of one thing, and eating a balance of everything you need in one bowl.  And besides all of that, they are just good 😋.  The majority of recipe ideas I found for Buddha bowls normally included a layer of grain (which I have substituted for caulirice), then protein (the usual is vegan), and then topped with an variety of vegetables and seeds.  Imagine the possibilities!  

Here's just a few more ideas for your toppings, this will keep you busy on your menu planning! 

• fresh spinach

• slivered almonds

• pickled vegetables

• sprouts

• roasted pumpkin seeds

• sweet potato

• radish

• cucumber

• roasted carrots

• red peppers

• pesto

• chia seeds

Ok, you get the idea right?  Pile up the good stuff in a bowl, stay balanced, and enjoy - and don't forget the peanut/almond butter sauce, that's the best part!