This is yet another type of Buddha bowl that I make at home. Inspired by one of my favorite vegetarian cooking blogs "Cookie and Kate". The very first time when I tried this recipe, I was a bit skeptical since we at home don't really like mixing fruits with savory flavors. But to our surprise this was so yummy! This has a flavor of Mexican food from mango salsa, Thai food from peanut dressing. Combining all of these is like a party in your mouth! Haha!
Once again I will guide you through simple steps to minimize your prep and cooking time based on just time management and use of kitchen appliances/gadgets.
You will need:
Baked tofu:
16 oz pack of extra firm tofu, cubed
1 tbsp corn starch
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp chilli oil (or chilli flakes)
Grain:
1 cup rice blend (or your choice of grain)
1.5 cups water (or per package instructions)
Mango salsa:
1 mango chopped
1/2 red pepper chopped
1 jalepeno chopped (I like to slice it so that I can easily take it off for my kids)
1/3 cup cilantro chopped
1-2 green onions chopped
lime juice from 1/2 lime
salt per taste
Dressing:
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 tbsp soy sauce
lime juice from 1/2 lime
1 tsp chilli oil (or chilli flakes)
1 tbsp agave syrup
2 tbsp oil (olive/vegetable/canola/sesame)
water as needed to adjust consistency (I used 1/4 cup)
salt per taste (optional)
Greens:
spinach
lettuce
(you can use any like green/purple cabbage, kale, green/red mustard)
Additional toppings (optional)
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, pine nuts, pecans, walnuts)
Seeds (chia, hemp, sunflower, pepita)
Method:
Baked Tofu:
Start by preheating the oven to 400°F.
Combine all ingredients for baked tofu. Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.
Grain:
While the tofu is being baked, cook your choice of grain in Instant Pot (IP). Combine the rice and water as mentioned above. Cook at manual high pressure for 6 minutes and wait for natural pressure release.
Your grain to water ratio and cooking time will vary in IP based on choice of grain.
Mango salsa:
While the tofu and grain are getting ready, prep your salsa. Combine all the ingredients for that and that's it!
Dressing:
Mix in all the ingredients for that and adjust the consistency as you like it.
TIP:
Following this sequence will help you efficiently manage your time. This way you are not waiting for the tofu or the grain to be done, which is going to take the longest.
Time to arrange the Buddha Bowl now:
In a plate or bowl, arrange all the ingredients starting with rice, tofu, mango salsa, greens and dressing. You can add the additional toppings if desired.
ENJOY!
