aunt squishy's 3 minute buddha bowl

How To Make aunt squishy's 3 minute buddha bowl

• 1

  MARINATED SALAD DIRECTIONS: Combine EVOO, garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, and salt/pepper in a medium to large bowl. Mix well and rub around the inside edges of the bowl, then set aside to marry the flavors while working on the veggies. My favorite bowl for this salad is an unglazed wooden bowl because the seasonings impregnate the bowl and every salad I make in it just becomes more and more flavorful.
• 2

  Peel the onion, quarter it, and slice each quarter as thinly as you can (I like to use a mandolin because it's fast and can slice much thinner than I can with a knife).
• 3

  Peel the cucumber and cut into 1-inch-thick disks, then cut the disks into small pieces roughly the size of a chickpea.
• 4

  Cut the top and bottom from the tomato, quarter it, and remove the seeds, then cut the flesh into small pieces like the cucumbers.
• 5

  Drain the can of chickpeas into a colander and rinse until bubbles stop forming.
• 6

  Combine all veggies into the bowl with the oil and spices and stir well to coat. Add vinegar, wine, and lemon juice to the bowl and toss thoroughly.
• 7

  Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to marinade for at least 12 (preferably 24) hours, tossing another 1-2 times if convenient.
• 8

  3-MINUTE BUDDHA BOWL ASSEMBLY: Place water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute.
• 9

  Add couscous to the bowl and cover for 1-2 minutes.
• 10

  Fluff the now-cooked couscous with a fork, add lettuce, marinated salad, avocado, olives, feta, and pine nuts on top.
• 11

  ** This salad is so versatile that you can change, add, or omit any ingredients you want to create different flavor profiles from week to week. Sub the white wine vinegar for red wine vinegar, sub the EVOO with avocado oil, sub the parsley with cilantro, add deseeded and diced bell peppers, add diced jalapenos for a kick, use white pepper instead of black pepper, use your favorite dry chardonnay in place of cooking wine or omit the wine altogether!
• 12

  *** You can also make changes to the Buddha bowl itself. You can pre-cook brown rice, bulger, quinoa, barley, farro, or any ancient grain you desire in place of the couscous (just be sure to prep each grain according to its own package directions). Riced cauliflower is another option if you're avoiding gluten. In place of chopped romaine, you can use spring mix, baby spinach, or whatever leafy green you desire - just do yourself a favor and avoid iceberg. :) The Buddha bowl is most effective when you truly enjoy what you're eating, so don't be afraid to get creative! Add a can of tuna or grill up a piece of chicken if you have more time! If you don't like olives, don't use them. Change the cheese out for grated cheddar or parmesan. Sub the pine nuts with shelled sunflower seeds, toasted pumpkin seeds, or slivered almonds. The sky is the limit!
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