I love a good DIY dinner! These colorful rice bowls are the ultimate DIY family meal. Think of it like a salad bar. Everyone can make their bowl just how they like it! This means less complaining about what's on the dinner table. I love to load mine up with a ton of veggies, nuts and seeds.
The sauce is so easy to make and packs a punch of flavor. It's such a versatile recipe because you can use whatever veggies and protein you happen to have on hand. If everyone helps out to chop the ingredients, this meal can be ready in no time. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner, and if you have leftovers, they're great for lunch the next day.
Serves 5-6
Ingredients
Sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
2 tbsp grated fresh ginger (or 2 tsp dried ginger)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 cups rice (any type you like)
Chopped veggies - ie. bell peppers, carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, snap or snow peas, green onion, kale, spinach, bok choy
Protein - i.e. leftover cooked meat (chicken, pork, beef), shrimp, tofu, toasted nuts or seeds
Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
Put all ingredients for the sauce in a jar and shake it up. You could also whisk sauce in a small mixing bowl.
Cook rice according to directions.
Prepare all other ingredients.
Assemble rice bowl to your liking.
Pour some sauce over top and enjoy!
Tip
For added nutrition, add some quinoa to your rice when cooking. I usually use 1 2/3 cups rice and 1/3 cup quinoa. Just cook it as you normally would cook rice.
Recipe by Janine LaForte, RD
REAL LIFE NUTRITION