Community Bowl
I’m excited to let you in on one of my favorite recipes that I love to share amongst my friends. I decided to call this the “Community Bowl.” This dish allows each one of your guests to create what they’d prefer without wasting food. I don’t know about you but when I’m preparing a meal for a large group it can be challenging to accommodate every dietary need and preference.
The easiest way to pull this off is to create a “build your own” station. You’ll want a variety of ingredients that pair well with one another and are nutritionally packed!
The recipe I’m about to share is one of my favorite combinations. I believe it’s a perfect blend of sweet and savory, which is one reason why it can be so accommodating to a large group.
Lastly, everything can be bought at the one and only Trader Joe’s! It’s great to know you can hop over to one store for all your delicious ingredients, while being friendly to your wallet.
Let’s get started!
Every bowl starts with a BASE.
I love grabbing Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice.
Brown rice has a nutritious high-fiber coating that provides a yummy nutty flavor. If you’re looking for other options, be sure to look at the ingredient label. Others may have Rice Bran Oil mixed in.
I recommend eliminating unnecessary oils if possible.
Each package has 3 individual bags inside, with the option to microwave or to cook over the stove.
For this recipe, you’ll need one bag, the rest can be saved in the freezer for the next gathering!
Next, grab your blend of greens. This not only provides a great texture to the dish but gives you a good dose of vitamins.
In this recipe, we will need two full handfuls which will dramatically shrink when fully sauteed. I personally love this blend for all it’s benefits and beauty.
Presentation is always a PLUS!
Now that you have your brown rice and greens, you’ll want set that aside for now and begin prepping the other ingredients.
Toppings
Before you start on anything, multi-tasking is going to be your best friend for this dish. Set your oven at 400°F and begin chopping the yam into cubes. Next, grab two handfuls of broccoli. You may need to cut some down to make it into bite size.
Grab your cooking sheet and drizzle some Cold-Pressed Olive Oil or Avocado Oil with a sprinkle of Sea Salt on top.
Place in the oven until bronzed!
(average cooking time is about 30-45 min)
As you’re waiting for that to cook. Grab your protein, which in this case we’ll be using bacon!
When I began looking for bacon, I found it to be challenging to find one without added sugar.
Once again, try to eliminate unnecessary ingredients if possible.
I finally came across this beauty. Not only is it hormone-free, vegetarian fed but also sugar-free!
If you can find all three of these benefits in any protein of your choice, you are on the right track!
After the bacon cooks, remove from pan and use the leftover oil to sauté your mixed greens and brown rice. If you know you’re guests aren’t able to eat meat, substitute the oil with either a Cold-Pressed Olive Oil or Avocado Oil.
SEASONING
1 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Cumin
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 1/2 tbsp TJ’s Vegan Caesar Dressing
Each one of these flavors bring this dish to life! I personally love a good “kick” in my food. If the Cayenne Pepper seems a bit much. Feel free to kick it out!
The bowl is just as good without.
Place each of these ingredients into the pan and mix it up until mixed greens and rice are fully cooked.
Final Steps
Now that the base of your bowl is well seasoned, grab your baked yams and broccoli to begin preparing your “build your own” station. For rest of the toppings you’ll want to slice some avocado, chop up your bacon, and grab a half of a can of organic garbanzo beans.
With so much variety, you would think it would take hours to create but who said you can’t make something just as delicious under an hour? Every bite will be filled with complimentary flavors that leave your guests desiring for more.
May this “community bowl” be the talk of the night as you and your guest savor each and every bit:)
RECIPE
Total Time: 45 min
Total Servings: 4
Cost: Under $20
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 Bag of Organic Brown Rice
- 2 Handful of Mixed Greens
- 2 Handfuls of Broccoli
- 1 Small Sized Yam
- 4 slices of Bacon
- 1/2 Can of Organic Garbanzo Beans
- 1 Avocado
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp TJ’s Vegan Caesar Dressing
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set your oven to 400°F
- Chop the yam into cubes and cut broccoli into bite sizes (if needed). Place both ingredients on your cooking sheet and drizzle Cold-Pressed Olive Oil or Avocado Oil with a sprinkle of Sea Salt on top.
- Place these ingredients in the oven until bronzed. The average cooking time is about 30-45minutes.
- As that bakes, cook bacon at a medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and chop into small pieces.
- Grab your mixed greens and brown rice and sauté these ingredients with the left over oil from bacon until fully cooked.
- Mix in the rest of the seasoning and allow that to simmer as you prepare the final toppings.
- If you’re creating a “build your own” station. Begin placing your sliced avocado, garbanzo beans, bacon, yams and broccoli into their separate containers.
Now your “Community Bowl” is ready for building! May you enjoy it just as much as I do:)
