The macrobiotic bowl of my dreams.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Cafe Gratitude, let me enlighten you. Each of their menu items is given an adjective (whole, Blessed, Comforted, Pure, etc.). When the server gives their spiel, they encourage you to order using that adjective. For example, "I am whole". You may as well have some fun with it! There is also a description underneath if people just aren't into this whole ordering process.
My favorite bowl is the "Whole Bowl". This is a macrobiotic bowl with your choice of grain (quinoa, rice or a little bit of both), braised butternut squash, stewed adzuki beans, kim chee, sea veggies, sautéed kale, toasted tamari almonds and garlicky tahini sauce.
It is seriously one of the most delicious bowls. It never disappoints. A remake is always fun! Here is my rendition!
Ingredients
1/2 cup brown rice, dry
1/2 of a butternut squash
vegan butter (optional for mashing with squash)
1 can adzuki beans
green kale
sea veggie of choice (I used dried wakame)
sauerkraut or kim chee
rice vinegar
sunflower sprouts
scallions
pink salt
Tahini Sauce
2 Tbsp tahini
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
water to thin
Recipe
Make brown rice or quinoa ahead of time.
Peel, seed and cube butternut squash. Cook until soft. I used an instant pot and it took 4 minutes! Mash with a little vegan butter.
Soak wakame in warm water for 15-20 minutes.
Drain beans and add them to a pot with some water and salt. Stir occasionally and use a slotted spatula to slightly crush them.
Drain wakame and cut it apart from the stem. Place into bowl with a little bit of rice vinegar, salt and sugar (optional). Let it "marinate" until ready to serve.
Steam kale until slightly soft.
Make tahini dressing by mixing everything together in a bowl. Add liquid until you reach desired consistency.
Chop scallions.
Assemble the bowl! Brown rice, beans, butternut squash, wakame, kale, sauerkraut, nuts, tahini sauce, sunflower sprouts and scallions.