How to Make a Spring Earth Bowl

If you checked out How to Make a Winter Earth Bowl, you know that when prepared well, the plant-based Earth Bowl is a deliciously comforting meal that’s easy, healthy, economical, nourishing, and fun to create, whether you layer your ingredients, place them in sections, or mix them up. These are fabulous to make with kids too, as it allows them to be imaginative and creates positive associations with fresh, whole plant-foods.

Earth Bowls typically feature hearty ingredients that vary by the season. In this case, our objective is a Spring earth bowl, reflecting beautiful, fresh, seasonal produce. Here are your easy steps to follow:

Pick your base: In a large, shallow bowl, lay your base of greens. You can buy prepared mixed greens, or combine your favorites, like butter lettuce, radicchio, spinach, Romaine, etc. Ideally you will include the Queen of Greens, kale, which is easiest to enjoy and digest when it’s chopped and pre-massaged with a bit of olive oil.

Add your grains: The best “grain” to use is actually a high protein seed, quinoa. Another high-protein seed often mistaken for a grain is wild rice. Other options include prepared barley, brown rice, millet, etc.

Next, incorporate your protein layer or section: beans, legumes, prepared tofu or tempeh, edamame, etc. Flavorful extras might include sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers, etc.

Now add additional veggies, fresh or cooked, which might include artichoke hearts and asparagus, both in season in the spring, as well as sautéed mushrooms, grated carrot, sliced green onions, roasted and/or fresh grated beets, chunks of roasted butternut squash or sweet potato, spiralized zucchini, Heirloom tomatoes, etc.

Include healthy, whole food fats. These might include avocado, olives, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, sunflower seeds, help seeds, etc. It’s worth prioritizing raw nuts/seeds, as the roasting process denigrates their nutrients and healthy oils.

Once assembled, these artistic bowls can be served with a side of luscious dressing, such as this Creamy Feng Shui Dressing or this New Age Caesar Dressing, or if you prefer, a variation of hummus, such as this protein-rich Marathon Hummus, or this Raw Bliss Lemon Hummus. You could also crown your bowl with a luscious Orange-Tahini Sauce, Cucumber-Mint Guacamole or this Lemon-Dill-Caper Mayo.  Bon appétit!