My Four Favorite Food Bowls

Let's face it, I post a LOT of food pics. Music is my first love... but food is a close second.
What's not to love? I love shopping my local markets, staring at my colorfully stocked fridge,  eating in good company... and I especially love making and discovering new and tasty food recipes.

 Here are four of my favorites. I like to think of these as seasonal dishes... A couple for warmth and comfort, some fresh and simple, one with nuts, but none with gluten or dairy (who needs em). Give them a try and put your own spin on them!

Nutty Quinoa Bowl, Spicy Yam Bowl, Sweet Greens Bowl, Red Sauce Bowl

Nutty Quinoa Bowl (Spring)

Ingredients:

• Quinoa 
• Dried Cranberries (Can Substitue Any Dried Fruit)
• Chickpeas
• Walnuts
• Fresh Mint
• Fresh Lemon

This recipe works wonderfully in cooler months.  This is perfectly suitable for a meal or a summer salad but could also be complimentary to some fish due to its lemon base, whatever works for you. It's great if you are on-the-go or thinking ahead for some work week lunches (it travels well).

As for ingredients, you can use these at your discretion. My proportions were based on 1 and 1 half cups of dry quinoa (About 3-4 cups cooked. As pictured, I like to use each of the ingredients in a somewhat equal amount (about 3/4 cup in this case) ... and one whole lemon! 

Steps:

1. Boil Water with an optional two tbsp. of Olive Oil. Add quinoa. Lower heat and cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Prepare ingredients.
   
3. Make sure all water is gone and quinoa is nice and fluffy before removing from heat. Let cool. (This can be as little as 15 mins long or 24 hours in the fridge. Preparation is key!)
   
4. Add ingredients, fresh lemon juice, and some fresh pepper. 
5. Toss!

Spicy Yam Bowl (Fall)

Ingredients:

• Oriental Yam
• Sprouts
• Kimchi
• Sesame Oil
• Sriracha

Spicy, warming, and simple... this bowl is perfect for colder months. Yams are a staple part of my own diet during chilly northeastern winters. If you're not already eating these delicious treats, you've been missing out...

... and Kimchi is another big one. Naturally fermented and full of naturally occuring probiotics, plain and simple, kimchi is good for your gut. I get mine from Seed To Sprout Grocery here in Asbury Park, but there are plenty of easy recipes online to make kimchi at home if you are into it. Here's how this one goes:

Steps:

1. Cut yam into smaller pieces and toss in sesame oil. Bake on 375 degrees. (When you can easily put your fork into yam, it is finished.)
2. Prepare bowls. Place sprouts on the bottom. Add yams and a tbsp. of sesame oil. 
3. Add a few spoonfuls of kimchi.
4. Drizzle with sriracha and take this dish to another level.

Feel free to make some changes
Not into sriracha? I've never heard of that... but you can 
always use your favorite hot sauce or substitute
oriental yams for another type. Be creative, it's your meal!

Sweet Greens Bowl (Summer)

Ingredients:

• Kale
• Avocado
• Strawberry
• Sauerkraut
  
• Nutritional Yeast
• Dill Mustard

This salad is my number one. I am sure to make it at least once a week! I look forward to summer and sharing this salad with friends and those who come to stay with me by the beach.

It's fast, simple, fresh and it pairs wonderfully in colder months with a soup or just before dinner with another protein. It even works well as a lunch on its own. Anyway you want it, you're sure to enjoy this one.


Steps:

1. Remove Kale from stem. Chop into smaller pieces and toss in olive oil to soften Kale. 
2. Add sliced avocado and strawberry.
3. Add a few tablespoons of saurekraut. (I also use seed to sprout brand of this).
4. Sprinkle with a generous amount of nutritional yeast.
5. Drizzle with dill mustard and toss.
6. Enjoy!

Red Sauce Bowl (Winter)

Ingredients:

• Ground Beef 
• Spaghetti Squash
• Garlic
• Your Mom's Sauce Recipe
• Basil
• Nutritional Yeast

This one is for all the meat lovers out there. Every once in a good while this is exactly what I'm craving... especially in winter months when I want some comfort and warmth.
Although I try to keep my meat consumption to a minimum, I do enjoy some good grass-fed and grass finished beef from The Arctic Butcher here in Central NJ. (They have loads of other organic meats, too. Check them out.)


In the summertime, trade the red sauce for sundried tomatoes or switch out the ground beef for raw cashew
and walnut balls for a lighter feel. Zucchini pasta is also a great option anytime of the year. 


Steps:

1. Grab a fork and poke tons of holes in your spaghetti squash. You should feel wrong about this... keep poking.
2. Roast squash on 400 degrees. This may take up to forty minutes. Be sure to rotate twenty minutes in...
3. Prepare pasta sauce. Personally, I try to use my own family recipe, but when i'm on the go - I won't hesitate to grab a can of organic sauce from the local Dean's market and warm it up. 
4. Make some meatballs with your fresh ground beef. Add some garlic or basil, gluten free bread crumbs. Do your thing. When you're finished...
5. Pan fry your meatballs in a little olive oil for a couple minutes and then add them to your warmed sauce.Let this combo sit.
6. At this point you may be ready to remove squash and let cool. (You're going to burn yourself if you try to remove the seeds right away, trust me.)
7. Once squash has cooled down, cut in half. Use a fork to remove strands of seeds directly in the center of the squash. These can be pesky but shouldn't take more than a few minutes using a fork and sliding down the squash long ways. While doing this you will see how easy the next step is when you proceed to...
8. Remove the strands of squash. Just use your fork. Spaghetti squash earned its name. It should be coming out in long strings.
9. Plate your squash and add your meatballs and red sauce on top. Sprinkle with a little nutritional yeast for a cheesy tease.

I  hope you can enjoy one or all of these recipes and if you do, let me know! I'd be glad to continue sharing recipes that I love to prepare and serve for myself and my loved ones. If you are interested in more food inspired photos and recipe ideas be sure to check out my instagram @jamiecoppamusic