Vibrant Vegan Buddha Bowl with Tahini Dressing
A colorful, nutrient-packed bowl featuring roasted vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based protein drizzled with creamy tahini sauce.
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large baking sheet
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium pot
- Blender (for sauce)
- Alternative: Food processor for sauce
INGREDIENTS
Base
- 1 cup quinoa or brown rice (240g)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (400g), cubed
- 1 head broccoli (300g), cut into florets
- 1 block firm tofu (400g), cubed
- 2 cups kale (100g), chopped
- 1 ripe avocado
Tahini Dressing
- 1/4 cup tahini (60ml)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3-4 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Rinse quinoa and cook according to package instructions (15-20 minutes).
- Toss sweet potatoes and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until golden.
- Press tofu between paper towels. Cut into cubes and season with soy sauce. Bake on separate tray for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
- Blend all dressing ingredients until smooth. Add water gradually until desired consistency.
- Massage kale with olive oil and pinch of salt for 1 minute.
- Assemble bowls:
- Base of quinoa
- Arrange roasted vegetables
- Add tofu
- Top with kale and sliced avocado
- Drizzle with tahini dressing
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t overcrowd the roasting pan.
- Press tofu thoroughly for best texture.
- Season each component separately.
- Add avocado just before serving.
Storage
- Keep components separate.
- Refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Make fresh dressing every 3 days.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping tofu pressing.
- Under-seasoning grains.
- Not massaging kale.
- Overcooking quinoa.
Variations
- Swap sweet potato for butternut squash.
- Use tempeh instead of tofu.
- Add roasted chickpeas for extra protein.
- Try different grains like farro or millet.
This recipe is endlessly customizable – make it your own by mixing and matching your favorite vegetables and proteins while keeping the basic formula of grain + protein + vegetables + healthy fat + sauce.
