Inspired by the “I Am Whole” bowl at California’s famed plant-based eatery, Café Gratitude, I love this nourishing bowl based on the principles of macrobiotics. With a balance of flavor, texture, and color, this meal has it all: fresh greens, warming grains, sweet winter squash, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a creamy, savory dressing. I always use warm grains when making bowls, as the way it softens the vegetables makes it incredibly delicious and digestible. While this bowl is built with traditional Japanese ingredients, feel free to use whatever vegetables and grains on hand.
Serves 1
What you need:
For the tahini-miso dressing:
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon miso paste
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons freshly chopped ginger
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons water
For the roasted tamari almonds:
- ¼ cup raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon tamari
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
For the vegetables:
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup cooked brown rice
- 3 slices roasted kabocha squash
- ½ cup sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
- ⅓ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup sunflower sprouts
- ¼ cup wakame seaweed
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted and lightly ground
What you do:
- For the Tahini-Miso Dressing, into a high-speed blender, place all ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- For the roasted tamari almonds, preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss almonds with tamari and maple syrup and spread on baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.
- For the vegetables, into a serving bowl, add spinach. Place warm rice on top, allowing spinach to wilt. Add remaining ingredients and drizzle with Tahini-Miso Dressing.
Healthy hints:
- >> This is a great bowl to make with batch-cooked ingredients. On a Sunday, make a pot of brown rice or quinoa, whirl up your favorite creamy dressing, and cut up vegetables. Then, when lunch or dinner comes around throughout the week, you have everything you need to make a healthy, beautiful bowl.
- >> The three main principles of a macrobiotic diet are to reduce animal products, eat locally grown foods that are in season, and consume meals in moderation.
- >> Check out all of my creamy dressings here to find your fave!