By the time Tuesday rolls around, fast-food joints might seem like the only option for full-time students.
But there’s a shortcut to being both well-fed and well-nourished: bowls.
Whether it’s a grain bowl or acai bowl, these dishes are nutritious, well-balanced and delicious. They’re also fairly easy to make and don’t require much prep time.
And it gets even better. These wonder-bowls are endlessly customizable. You like mushrooms? Put them in. You don’t like mushrooms? Don’t put them in. You get the point.
So give these bowls a go; they’re easier to make than you can imagine, and they’re delicious to boot.
Grain bowl
The only rule for grain bowls is there are (practically) no rules.
1/2 cup of cooked grains (suggestions: quinoa, farro, rice)
1 serving of protein (suggestions: salmon, baked tofu)
1/4 cup each of different vegetables (suggestions: beans, broccoli, mushrooms)
1/8 cup dressing (your
favorite one)
The point of making these bowls is achieving a semblance of a well-balanced diet.
My suggestion is to take some time out of one day to prepare enough of each of these to last a couple of days.
The great thing about these grain bowls is that the different sauces will transform each bowl.
To assemble: You can layer the ingredients, or you can just toss it all together. It packs nicely for lunch.
Salmon and farro bowl
1 piece of salmon (cooked to your liking)
1/2 cup cooked farro
1/4 cup steamed broccoli
1/4 cup sauteed mushrooms
1/8 cup hoisin-sriracha sauce
Hoisin-sriracha sauce: Add equal parts of hoisin and sriracha to get a sweet but spicy sauce. If you want to kick it up another notch, add a teaspoon of rice wine vinegar to add some acidity into the sauce.
Acai bowl
Similar in concept to the grain bowl but fruity. Also, it’s pronounced “ah-sah-ee.”
Smoothie:
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 banana
1/2-3/4 cup of non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon acai powder or 1 unsweetened acai frozen pack
Suggested toppings:
Fruits (bananas, pineapple, berries)
Coconut flakes
Seeds (hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds)
Nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)
Granola
Acai isn’t the cheapest thing out there, so it may not be the most budget-friendly item. However, you can still reap all the benefits of an acai bowl sans acai. Just make a smoothie bowl.
To assemble: Pour the smoothie into a bowl. Then top it with whatever you please. It’s a great way to start your morning, or it’s a nutritious pick-me-up midday snack.
All groceries provided by Seward Co-op (2823 E. Franklin Ave. and 317 E. 38th St.)
