Meal bowls, delicious combinations of textures, temperatures and flavors all mixed within one dish, the bowl. This could be your life saver, time saver and your palate saver when it seems like you can’t choke down another chicken breast and broccoli, the same ol’ meals eaten day in and day out. When you’ve run out of all ideas, you’ve made every soup and “salad” you can dream up and you’re hit with a total loss of what to eat for dinner…breakfast or lunch. When nothing seems appetizing anymore, you’re in a food slump and you’re less than excited about meal time, these bowls of flavor, the enticing mix of textures, temperatures and seasonings is going to be your meal saver.
All you need is a bowl and your creativity to mix what you like, what you want, hot or cold into an enticing, delicious bowl of goodness. I’d like to tell you there are no rules but I’m a Nutritionist and if we must get specific there are a few rules. The rules aren’t how much to eat or what to eat rather just making sure you have the correct mix of ingredients to get the most satiety and nutrient density from the foods you choose as you can. So the rules, it must contain a hefty dose of veggies, good source of protein and a decent amount of healthy fat.
You choose the specifics but make it align with those three things and you have created the most amazing bowl of deliciousness, technically classified as a salad but so good you won’t even know the difference, salad or not. This is my go-to meal. Whenever in doubt I just ask, what can I make in a bowl?
Like a particular sandwich? Make it in a bowl such as the Reuben in a bowl or how about the BLT in a bowl? See where I am going? The bowl, a genius invention and my favorite serving plate to use. Not to mention the possibilities with hosting. Taco bowls, chipotle bowls, tex-mex bowls, egg roll bowls, stir-fry bowl. You lay out the ingredients and you let your guests create their own marvelous dish that fits their very own taste preferences.
Not to mention how great this is for kids. This allows them a non-threatening environment to choose what they like but also experience new ingredients all the while allowing them food independence by dishing up their very own food bowl made with love, with their own intention. It goes down so much better this way. This may be your answer to end those dreaded food fights and you cooking more than one meal.
And to think it all begins with one thing…a bowl. Since I enjoy this method of meal creating, I made this helpful printable in showing you the endless possibilities of a meal in a bowl.
Check it out, print it off, and use it for your weekly meal prep. Life Saver.
Speaking of meal ideas, here is a quick, easy, delicious and fresh winter salad bowl. Seasoned grilled steak, tangy goat cheese (because I put it on everything), cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes, fresh pomegranate arils and walnuts for a crunch all atop of bed of chopped spinach and drizzled with an olive oil and balsamic dressing. The mix of warm and cold, savory and tangy, soft and crunchy gives me warm fuzzy food feelings.
Okay, I may be slightly embarrassed that I get warm fuzzy food feelings. Please tell me you do too, right? That is a thing, I’m certain they are. Maybe all you need to experience these feelings in a bowl.
For the love of food all begins with one bowl…
- 2 Large Sweet Potatoes, cubed
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Salt and Pepper
- 2 12oz Sirloin Steaks
- 2 tsp Salt
- ⅓ Cup Olive oil
- 3 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp Maple syrup
- 1 tsp Salt & Pepper
- 8 Cups Spinach, chopped
- ¼ Cup Pomegranate Arils
- ¼ Cup Walnuts, chopped
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sweet potatoes, olive oil, cinnamon and salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Place on a large baking sheet and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until tender
- Preheat grill to medium temperature
- Grind fresh salt and pepper on both sides of steak
- Place on grill and cook until desired doneness
- Slice into thin strips
- Place all ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously before each use.
- In a large serving bowl, place spinach, topped with walnuts, sweet poatoes, steak and pomegranate arils.