This simple bowl recipe is perfect for a quick and nutritious meal. Combining the goodness of cooked rice, mixed vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for busy weeknights or a healthy lunch option, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare.
If you don't usually have soy sauce in your pantry, you might need to pick it up from the supermarket. It's a staple in many Asian cuisines and adds a savory, umami flavor to the dish. Also, ensure you have fresh garlic and a variety of mixed vegetables to make the bowl vibrant and nutritious.
Ingredients for Simple Bowl Recipe
Cooked rice: Provides a hearty base for the bowl, offering a neutral flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Mixed vegetables: Adds color, texture, and a variety of nutrients to the dish. You can use any combination of vegetables you prefer.
Soy sauce: Brings a salty, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the bowl.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and vegetables, adding a subtle richness to the dish.
Garlic: Adds a fragrant and slightly spicy flavor, elevating the taste of the vegetables and rice.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your mixed vegetables, consider blanching them before adding them to the pan. Blanching involves briefly boiling the vegetables and then plunging them into ice water. This technique helps to preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture, making your Simple Bowl Recipe not only taste better but also look more appealing.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa is a protein-rich grain that provides a similar texture and nutritional profile to rice.
cooked rice - Substitute with cauliflower rice: Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative that mimics the texture of rice while adding extra vegetables to your dish.
chopped mixed vegetables - Substitute with frozen mixed vegetables: Frozen mixed vegetables are convenient and often contain a variety of vegetables that can be used interchangeably with fresh ones.
chopped mixed vegetables - Substitute with zucchini noodles: Zucchini noodles add a different texture and are a great way to incorporate more vegetables into the dish.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce that offers a similar umami flavor.
soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos are a soy-free and lower-sodium alternative to soy sauce, with a slightly sweeter taste.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil in cooking.
olive oil - Substitute with sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the dish, especially in Asian-inspired recipes.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it has a more concentrated flavor, so use it sparingly.
minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to garlic, adding a different but pleasant taste to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the cooked rice and mixed vegetables to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
- Transfer the cooled Simple Bowl into an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
- Label the container with the date of preparation. This helps keep track of how long the dish has been stored.
- Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. This keeps the vegetables and rice fresh and safe to eat.
- For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The Simple Bowl can be frozen for up to 2 months without significant loss of flavor or texture.
- When ready to eat, thaw the frozen Simple Bowl in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the dish's quality.
- Reheat the Simple Bowl in a microwave or on the stovetop. If using a microwave, cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to retain moisture. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
- Stir the dish occasionally while reheating to ensure even warming. This helps maintain the texture of the rice and vegetables.
- Serve hot and enjoy the convenience of a pre-prepared, delicious meal!
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover Simple Bowl Recipe and stir occasionally.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a few drops of water to keep it moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
- Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check the temperature and heat for an additional 30 seconds if needed.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe dish.
- Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Steamer Method:
- Set up your steamer and bring the water to a boil.
- Place the leftovers in a heatproof dish that fits in the steamer.
- Steam for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftovers in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Pan: A flat-bottomed cooking vessel used for sautéing the garlic and cooking the mixed vegetables.
Spatula: A tool used for stirring and mixing the ingredients in the pan.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the exact amount of cooked rice and chopped mixed vegetables.
Knife: Essential for chopping the mixed vegetables and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: A surface on which to chop the vegetables and mince the garlic.
Garlic press: An optional tool to easily mince the garlic clove.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the soy sauce and olive oil accurately.
Serving bowl: The final dish is served in this bowl.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-cook the rice: Cook a large batch of rice in advance and store it in the fridge. This saves time when preparing your simple bowl recipe.
Use frozen vegetables: Opt for frozen mixed vegetables which are pre-chopped and ready to use. This cuts down on prep time significantly.
Minced garlic in a jar: Keep a jar of pre-minced garlic in your fridge. It’s a quick alternative to mincing fresh garlic.
One-pan cooking: Use a large pan to cook everything together. This reduces the number of dishes you need to wash later.
Simple Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Cooked Rice
- 1 cup Mixed Vegetables chopped
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1 clove Garlic minced
Instructions
- 1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- 3. Add mixed vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- 4. Stir in cooked rice and soy sauce. Cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- 5. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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