Eating healthy is no longer a fad, it is a lifestyle!  If you are looking for a way to ease healthy eating into your routine, look no further than the Buddha Bowl. Here are some tips to prepare a Buddha Bowl the right way:

You must begin with a bowl that is deep enough for at least three layers of fresh food. There is no one way to combing hot and cold ingredients in the bowl, so do not worry about getting the recipe wrong.  Buddha Bowls are built upon guidelines more than strict instructions. That unique flexibility makes preparing each meal a meditation in both flavor and color!

Pick a vegetable of the season, like fresh Aubergines or Zucchini, and slice it thinly on a chopping board. Coat with olive oil and sprinkle crushed herbs over the slices before browning them over a medium-hot grill for 1-2 minutes.

Variation: Cut half a Sweet Potato and one large Beet into cubes, add to a mixing bowl and cover with olive oil that is seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.  Add to a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes in an oven at 400F (200C) or until the vegetables are slightly caramel-brown.

Layer the bottom-most part of your Buddha Bowl with your grilled or roasted vegetable of choice. I usually like adding half of a red onion or an avocado for some crunch at this point.

Next up, add in a green like Arugula, Kale, or Spinach to the bowl. Make sure to wash the Kale or Arugula well in a colander and then dry off with paper towels. Rather than cutting the leafy vegetable, it is recommended to tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.

Following the leafy green, the next ingredient is a grain of your choosing. Grains usually used include quinoa, millet or brown rice.  Prepare the grain as per usual and layer in a healthy helping.

Now it is time to get some protein in to the mix!  If you are a fan of Middle Eastern food, this is your chance to whip up some delicious hummus.  If you are more into tofu, pull out a serving and add that in on top of the grains in the bowl.  If you are craving some old-fashioned meat, grab some deli meat and chop up the slices into small cubes before adding to the dish.

This has to be my favorite part of the preparation; when the dried fruits, nuts and seeds are sprinkled on top.  I prefer using pumpkin seeds or roasted hazelnuts on top but you can use whatever is easily available at the local Farmer’s market.

For most chefs the dish is now prepared. However, the true foodie will want to add in a dressing for that final kick of flavor.  To prepare a Tahini dressing, gather three tablespoons of Tahini, one tablespoon lemon juice, one pressed garlic clove, a pinch of Red Chili flakes, and blend on pulse setting for two minutes. If you are running out of time, dash some greek yogurt or roasted sesame oil over the bowl instead of a prepared dressing.

Grab a spoon and take big bite.  Bon Appétit !