Asian Veggie & Coconut Rice Bowl

This recipe was a spur of the moment “what do I make for dinner” inspired dish. Yes, I happened to have ALL of these ingredients in my pantry! Sometimes the best meals come from using what you’ve got. This bowl is so flavorful and comforting. The coconut milk adds something special to the rice. If you need a little more protein, add marinated baked tofu, chicken or fish.

Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups basmati rice

2 cups water

1 can coconut milk

1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil

1/4 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 red onion, sliced

1/2 red pepper, chopped

1 carrot, sliced

1 large celery stalk, chopped

1/2 cup frozen peas

2 handfuls spinach

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 avocado, sliced

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp nama shoyu or tamari

3 tbsp water

1 tsp ginger paste

1/2 tbsp miso

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 tbsp honey

pinch of chili flakes

pinch of sea salt

1 tsp arrowroot powder

1/3 cup water

optional: 1 tsp cane sugar

Directions:

Measure and rinse your rice. Add to a pot with water, ghee or butter and sea salt. Add coconut milk. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat for about 10 minutes with the lid on and then remove from heat.

While your rice is cooking, chop your veg. Place a medium sized skillet on medium to high heat with a tbsp of ghee or butter, or avocado oil. Add onion and garlic and stir until semi translucent. Add the rest of the veg and stir. Add 3 tbsp of water, nama shoyu or tamari, rice vinegar and a pinch of sea salt. Reduce heat and cover with a lid.

While veggies are cooking make your sesame miso sauce. Add 1/3 cup hot water to a bowl. Mix in miso, sesame oil, honey, ginger, arrowroot and chili flakes. Add the sauce to the veggies and stir. Let the sauce thicken up a bit here. Add spinach and remove from heat, keeping your pan covered so the spinach can wilt.

To make your bowl, scoop in the rice and top with your veggies. Garnish with cilantro, avocado and sesame seeds. Serves 2 with leftovers.

If you like bowls, here are a few more recipes and tips to try: