This hearty, satisfying bowl is packed with quinoa, kale, blackened tempeh, spiced chickpeas and is topped with a garlicky tahini sauce.
I had a completely different recipe planned for today’s post, but when I made this dish for dinner earlier this week I had to share it. This #Blessed Bowl will leave you feeling #blessed.
This dish was inspired by a photo I saw on Instagram last week. I couldn’t get the dish out of my head, and decided to recreate it with what I had on hand.
What is it about eating meals from bowls that make them that much better? My favorite throw-together meals are when I throw delicious things in a bowl and call it good. Normally, meals like this are called Buddha Bowls.
My favorite spot to grab a Buddha Bowl is a cafe called Thrive in Seattle. My first apartment after college was a few blocks away from Thrive (which is also across the street from a Whole Foods…there went my bank account), so the Buddha Bowl was a go-to for me whenever I wanted to pick up some nourishing grub.
Since this dish is a warm grain bowl, it could be considered a Buddha Bowl but I’m going to call it the #Blessed Bowl because 1) I love being different 2) I clearly like screwing myself over from an SEO standpoint and 3) I really just like taking any opportunity to say #blessed.
This #Blessed Bowl has a bed of warm quinoa, and is topped with garlicky kale, spiced chickpeas and blackened tempeh. Then there’s the sauce. Good golly miss Molly this sauce is good. It is similar to my herby vegan ranch but has a tahini base. The first time I blended it up, I basically drank it because it was so good.
Don’t be intimidated by the steps and ingredients. It looks like a lot, but I promise it comes together quickly. Get ready to feel #blessed.
- ½ Cup Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ Tbs Oil (I used Algae Oil)
- ¼ Tsp Paprika
- ¼ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp Chili Powder
- Salt and Pepper
- 8 oz Tempeh, sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- Dash of Liquid Smoke
- ¼ Cup Tahini
- 1 Clove of Garlic, Minced
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 3 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley
- ⅔ Cup Cooked Quinoa
- 2 Cups of Kale, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Oil (I used Algae Oil)
- 1 Clove of Garlic, minced
- Preheat the oven to 375F. In a small bowl, combine the chickpeas, ½ Tbs oil and spices until chickpeas are coated. Spread on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for ~20 minutes until golden brown.
- To prepare the sauce, combine the tahini, 1 clove of minced garlic, lemon juice and parsley in a blender until smooth. If the sauce seems thick, add ~1 tablespoon of warm water to thin the sauce.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine 1 Tbs oil, chopped kale and garlic. Sautee until kale begins to wilt, and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Return the pan to medium-high heat and add the sliced tempeh. Sautee until it starts to brown (about 2-3 minutes), then add the coconut aminos, maple syrup and liquid smoke. Continue to sautee for another minute until the tempeh is coated.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the quinoa evenly between two bowls. Top with the kale, chickpeas, tempeh and sauce. Serve immediately. Extra sauce can be stored in a covered container in the fridge.
Not my prettiest pour shot, but just might be my tastiest.
Your Turn:
- Have you ever had a grain/Buddha Bowl?
- What are some of your favorite throw together recipes?
- What is something that makes you feel #blessed?
i’m obsessed with tempeh, and i will take any chance i get to eat it! blackened sounds amazing – i have no idea where to buy liquid smoke dooeeeee. do i have to sneak into a science centre??!
pinning this xx
Hiiii…it should be in the regular grocery store! Tbh it was in my parents cabinet and I just grabbed it lol
YUM. This looks incredible Les. And seriously #blessed 😉
Thanks Ellie! 🙂
Love the name for this bowl! Dare to be different, right? 🙂 I’m a huge fan of throw-together recipes like this, especially if it involves eggs, sweet potatoes, and kale. NOM. One thing that makes me feel #blessed is the incredible support I receive from my family (especially my parents), boyfriend, and friends. They’ve stuck with me through thick and thin, and I feel fortunate because not everyone has a good relationship with their families.
Love love love that Marina! Having a strong support system is definitely a blessing <3
Literally DYING Les. Omg. “Screwing yourself over” <3 you are a rockstar. Also, I've been craving tempeh and when I went to two different (health) grocery stores yesterday I couldn't find it! Definitely picking some up today. This bowl looks #blessed.
Haha I’m so glad you get me
I love meals in bowls too! And the dressing is usually my favorite part. SEO is a tricky thing and sometimes I just want to say f it and call my recipes whatever I want haha.
Haha I like the way you think Kelly!
I like the idea of a blessed bowl way better than a buddha bowl! This looks amazing and sounds incredible! Pinning this 🙂
Thank you! And congrats on your Instagram 20k!
everything about this!!! so in love. this is seriously my kinda meal, can’t wait to try that tahini sauce because lets be real tahini >>>>>>
I couldn’t agree more – tahini is everything.
Holy yum! This looks so good!
Thanks Molly! It is SO good. Seriously my favorite meal right now.
This looks really yummy! I will plan to make this because it doesn’t seem to difficult to make and I love anything with chickpeas.
Siobhan
http://www.befreeproject.com
Please let me know if you give it a try! I hope you love it!
I’m officially inspired to try to cook Tempeh for my first time! YUM!!!
Tempeh is seriously SO good! I hope you love it!
Love this recipe! Thank you!