Vegetarian Bowl Recipe

Looking for a vegetarian bowl recipe? Here is a plant-based meal in one dish from Skinnytaste.com.

Benefits of a Vegetarian Bowl Recipe

A plant-based one-bowl recipe is optimal in terms of healthy nutrition and saving time. Research shows that the key to a long healthy life is to eat a more plant-based diet. It’s also good for our planet. We’re all pressed for time and one-bowl recipes are a big time-saver and meal less clean-up at the end of the preparation.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowls

This vegetarian bowl recipe is very satisfying due to their long list of nutritious ingredients. You get protein and fiber from a combination of brown rice, beans, Greek yogurt, and sweet potatoes, plus plenty of vitamins and minerals from the kale and avocado.

INGREDIENTS (makes 4 servings)

FOR THE KALE:
• 2 cups de-stemmed and chopped kale
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

FOR THE ROASTED SWEET POTATOES:
• 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered lengthwise (28 oz peeled)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

FOR THE CREAMY CHIPOTLE SAUCE:
• 1 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt, or dairy-free yogurt for vegan or DF
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• Kosher salt

FOR THE BOWLS:
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 4 ounces avocado, from 1 small pitted, peeled, and diced
• 1 cup Quick-Pickled Red Onions
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 lime, sliced into wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare the kale:
1. Place the kale, olive oil, and salt in a bowl. Massage the kale for 1 minute. It will shrink in volume.
2. Let sit at room temperature while making the rest.

Prepare the sweet potatoes

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F with a rack placed in the center of the oven.
2. While the oven preheats, place the peeled and quartered sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil the sweet potatoes just until the edges give a bit to pressure from a fork, about 8 minutes. You don’t want to overcook them, or they could turn mushy.
4. Drain the sweet potatoes and pat dry with a paper towel then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
5. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chili powder, chipotle powder, cumin, coriander, and garlic powder.
7. Sprinkle the spice blend onto the sweet potatoes and toss to evenly coat.
8. Scatter the sweet potatoes on a sheet pan and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until browned and fork-tender.

Make the creamy chipotle sauce:

1. Place the yogurt, chipotle pepper, lime juice, garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt in a blender or small food processor. Blend or process until smooth.
2. Season to taste with salt. Set aside until ready to assemble the bowls, or store in the refrigerator.

Assemble the bowls:

1. Fill serving bowls with the kale, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, brown rice, and avocado.
2. Garnish with the pickled red onions, creamy chipotle sauce, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.