Buddha Bowls or How to trick your kids into to eating healthy

Are you eating Buddha Bowls? You should be. It is an ingenious way to get a healthy dinner into your family . I mean, the kids will be thinking, “how healthy can a bowl full of stuff be? There’s sauce. And a bowl. And chicken and green things . This cannot be healthy.”

Jut let the little darlings think it’s a big pile of yummy from Chipotle. There’s no reason to tell them its good for them and break their hearts. Since I have started my website, a few friends have reached out to me asking for healthy food ideas for their teenagers. Buddha Bowls are a fantastic way to involve your kids in preparing dinner- all hands on deck cooking bonds a family and makes meal time much more fun. Put your teenagers in charge of a few items- roasting the chick peas, making the sauce. Families that eat dinner together often have healthier kids. Teach your kids from an early age that cooking is a great way to have fun and be healthy.

Today I am posting a two for one recipe. Buddha bowls with either roasted chicken or salmon. A buddha bowl is simply a bowl filled with a grain- we like red or black quinoa. Top with a roasted protein, some sautéed veggies and you have dinner. For my Montana version I add Steelhead trout or Copper River salmon when it’s in season. In Florida, chicken fits the bills, or sweet gulf shrimp, snapper- any fresh fish.

A coconut milk based sauce adds a creamy, silky layer making the veggies eye catching and yummy for little tummies. Even a “meat and potatoes man” can fall in love with these beautiful bowls. Just one trick – don’t tell your family it’s healthy!

Oak roasted salmon from the local fish monger and a pile of veggies makes a colorful and healthy dinner.
Assemble all the ingredients for this fantastic dinner

As you can see from my photos, I use what is on hand in my fridge: edamame, kale, peppers, fruit- do the same. Just clean out everything in the fridge and make these beautiful bowls for you family tonight. Even the pickiest eater can find something to enjoy.

Buddha Bowls or How to trick your kids into to eating healthy

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Servings: 0
Author: Meggen

Ingredients

  • Choice of protein: 4 chicken breasts OR 1 lb of roasted salmon
  • 1 ½ cups carrots peeled and sliced on the diagonal
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 2 cups pineapple sliced into spears
  • 2 cups red bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 can chick peas drained & rinsed
  • 1 cup cucumber peeled and sliced on the diagonal
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup cooked edamame
  • 1 TBSP freshly grated ginger
  • 1 TBSP freshly minced garlic
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • ¼ cup Sweet chili sauce
  • Optional garnish- toasted pumpkin seeds or sliced green onions
  • 2 TBSP olive oil divided
  • 1 TBSP Sesame oil
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Pre heat oven to 375
  • On a sheet pan lined with foil, rub 1 TBSP olive oil , salt and pepper on chicken breasts and roast until skin is crispy- about 45 minutes. Remove skin and bones and slice chicken into large pieces. Set aside.
  • On the same pan, spread out chick peas, carrots and peppers. Drizzle them with 1 TBSP olive oil , salt and pepper and roast peas until crispy. About 20 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
  • Prepare Quinoa according to directions on box, taking care not to over cook. Set aside in a serving bowl .
  • In a small pan, add 1 TBSP sesame oil to garlic and ginger. Sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, add in chili sauce and coconut milk on low heat and cook until warmed through. Place in a serving bowl and cover to keep warm until serving time.
  • To assemble the dinner:
  • Place all the veggies on a large platter into neat piles, add chicken or fish to the platter and nestle in bowl of sauce with a serving spoon and toppings ( pumpkin seeds and green onions) , if desired.
  • Allow each guest to assemble their own bowl starting with the quinoa first.

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