RAINBOW RICE BOWL

My go to meal when in a hurry is generally a bowl of some sort with a cooked grain, some combination of vegetables (generally whatever is in the fridge at the time), soy (tempeh or tofu), nuts/seeds and a simple at home dressing. Lately, I just can't get enough of this Rainbow Rice Bowl. I love the combination of warm brown rice with fresh colourful raw vegetables, but what makes this dish truly amazing is the addition of the Creamy Lemon Garlic Hemp Sauce. I could rave about this dressing for days! It's the most recent staple to my weekly repertoire, and adds flavour and richness to so many dishes. Not to mention how incredibly good for you it is- all of the wonderful details about this sauce are in the post found here. 

RAINBOW RICE BOWL: a nutritious meal complete with protein, whole grains, fibre and rich in vitamins. 

INGREDIENTS: (yields 1. adjust vegetable measurements to your liking) 

  • 3 cups water 
  • 1 1/2 cup rice, uncooked 
  • 1/3 cup tempeh, sliced and cubed 
  • 1/2 cup swiss chard, ribboned 
  • 1/2 avocado, sliced 
  • 1/3 cup tomato, diced 
  • 1/3 cup celery, sliced 
  • 1/3 cup beet, spiralized or julienned 
  • 1/3 cup carrot, spiralized or julienned 
  • 1 tbsp olive or sesame oil 
  • cilantro, to top 

CREAMY LEMON GARLIC SAUCE INGREDIENTS: 

  • 1/2 cup lemon, juice 
  • 3/4 cup olive oil 
  • 1/3 cup hemp seeds 
  • 2 tbsp water 
  • 1.5 tbsp tamari 
  • 1 tbsp raw honey 
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated 
  • 1 garlic glove, minced 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Cook rice using stove top method, or using a rice cooker. 

2. While rice is cooking, wash and prep vegetables and set aside. 

3. Make sauce according to recipe found here. Set aside. 

4. Cut tempeh and toss in chosen oil. Heat pan, and lower heat to med-low and pan fry tempeh until golden brown and crispy on the outside. 

5. In a bowl add desired rice, approx. 2 tbs of sauce and mix. Then top rice bowl with vegetables and cilantro to season. 

I like to serve this in a large deep bowl, mix everything up and enjoy! 

CREAMY LEMON GARLIC HEMP SAUCE

I have to admit, this Creamy Lemon Garlic Hemp Sauce was a beautiful accident one day while experimenting in the kitchen. An accident that I now make weekly, eat daily and work into a variety of dishes including salads, noodles, and veggie-grain bowls. It's a great sauce to have handy to add to meals, and can also be used as a dip for snacking! 

Hemp seeds, once blended, add a creamy, smooth texture to things like smoothies, dressings and sauces. Which is just one of the reasons this superfood is so well loved by vegans and health nuts. So although "buttery" in texture, this sauce is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and really couldn't be any better for you. So go ahead, make up a batch of this sauce and indulge with pleasure and without guilt.

CREAMY LEMON GARLIC HEMP SAUCE: a healthy, detoxifying, versatile sauce. 

INGREDIENTS: 

  • 1/2 cup lemon, juice 
  • 3/4 cup olive oil 
  • 1/3 cup hemp seeds 
  • 2 tbsp water 
  • 1.5 tbsp tamari 
  • 1 tbsp raw honey 
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated 
  • 1 garlic glove, minced 

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until thick and smooth. Store in a jar or glass container in the fridge. 

HEALTH BENEFITS: 

LEMON: a natural detoxifier, rich source of vitamin C, and contains limonene that promotes immunity and helps fight infection. 

GINGER: anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, and clears microcirculatory channels of the body which include the sinuses and throat. Also, ginger is a warming agent and promotes sweating, which is healthy when sick. 

RAW HONEY: contains antioxidants, and a rich source of minerals and B vitamins that help support the function of the heart, muscles and nervous system. 

OLIVE OIL: anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and promotes heart health, rich source of vitamin E which is good for the skins and has an anti-aging effect. 

HEMP SEEDS: anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, rich source of vitamin B complex and vitamin E and high in minerals, promotes heart health and circulation, high in fibre, and contains tryptophan which helps regulate sleep and improve mood. 

I will be sharing a variety of recipes that include this sauce, so make sure to tune back in for those soon!