Do you find yourself scratching your head sometimes not knowing what to make for lunch or dinner? I do, believe it or not, ALL the time, especially for lunch during the weekdays since my kids typically eat leftovers and I’m left to fend for myself. I’m usually craving something satisfying, tasty, and healthy, but don’t really want to think about what to make or spend a ton of effort. When this happens, I typically always turn on the toaster oven and start grabbing things from my fridge to turn into a quick meal. This Roasted Veggie, Quinoa, Mexican Bowl is one of my typical meals.
Some veggies, beans, protein, and a delicious sauce to go with it. My meal prep goes something like this –
Turn on the toaster oven
While it’s heating up, grab some veggies to roast
While the veggies are roasting, prep the rest of the ingredients for the bowl
Make a delicious sauce in my vitamix
Put it all together
Eat
About 15-20 minutes later and you have yourself one delicious meal. Easy to make, satisfying, and healthy.
I’m a sucker for roasted veggies, especially colored carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli. I also typically cook a batch of quinoa in my rice cooker and store it in my fridge for use throughout the week. It’s such a universal ingredient to have ready to go. The kids love it as a side with some mango balsamic vinegar, and I love throwing it into salads, mixing it with beans, or serving it instead of rice with Thai food, etc. I make a quick black bean/quinoa/frozen spinach and corn mixture, throw in some avocado for some healthy fats and creaminess, some crushed chips for crunch and texture, and drizzle on a delicious creamy sauce coupled with a few drops of my favorite hot sauce. Your meal is served. It may seem complicated, a lot of steps/prep-work, but after you do it once, you realize it really is very easy to throw together a delicious bowl. What are some of your favorite bowl-combinations?
Roasted Veggie, Quinoa, Mexican Bowl
INGREDIENTS
- 10 tortilla chips , your favorite variety
- 16 cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
- hot sauce optional
- Sweet Jalapeno-Lemon Cream Sauce
- Maple Roasted Colored Carrots , (see notes below for subs)
For the Bean Mixture:
- 1/4 cup black beans cooked (fresh or from a can)
- 1/4 cup red or white quinoa or a blend of both, cooked
- 1/4 cup frozen spinach
- 1/4 cup frozen corn
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- To make this meal in 15-20 minutes, first prep the carrots for the Maple Roasted Colored Carrots . Instead of carrots, you can also use broccoli or mushrooms - Simply wash, cut into large pieces, toss with a little olive oil/salt/pepper, and roast in the toaster oven at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. While the veggies are roasting in the toaster oven, continue to prep the rest of the ingredients.
- To Prepare the Bean Mixture. Combine the cooked black beans, frozen spinach, and frozen corn in a glass bowl. Add a small amount of water and microwave for 2-3 minutes until the corn and spinach defrost completely.
- Toss in the cooked quinoa, and season to taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a few drops of your favorite hot sauce (optional).
- In each bowl, add some of the Bean Mixture. Then place some cherry tomato halves, sliced avocado, roasted veggie (carrots or other veggie of choice), and tortilla chips on top.
- Drizzle on some Sweet Jalapeno-Lemon Cream Sauce and add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce (optional). Garnish each bowl with some freshly chopped cilantro and enjoy!
Rashmi
I love this idea of a one bowl meal…I am also a sucker for Mexican anything, beans, corn, avo, just make it a complete meal.
Truth be told…I have never had quinoa, but heard its really good… That needs to change soon.
Love your creations Anjali xx
anjali
Mexican cuisine is one of my favorites as well! Quinoa is awesome…it’s so versatile and goes with so many things. Do they have that there? If so, then YES that needs to change =)
Reshana
This is a great idea Anjali… I love roasted veg and mexican so this one bowl meal defintely is for me 🙂 #love
anjali
Thanks Reshana! I kept finding myself making this bowl on a weekly basis when I didn’t have anything else prepared and love it!
Kavey
This looks so colourful and appealing. I really must try some quinoa recipes, have eaten it out but not cooked at home.
anjali
We love it!! So diverse and you can have it with so many different cuisines! It cooks easily at home also…
Camilla @FabFood4All
Loving the fresh healthy flavours here with the crisp tortilla:-) Perfect!
anjali
Thanks Camilla! One of my favorite lunch bowls!
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
I love these kind of lunches — healthy, satisfying and full of flavor!
anjali
My thoughts exactly! Thanks Lisa!
Sarah
Im obsessed with EVERYTHING about this!!! Favorite flavors, love quinoa and any “bowl” is an amazing meal…can’t wait to try this recipe! 🙂
anjali
Thanks Sarah! I love bowls…you can throw anything together with a delicious sauce! Healthy, filling, and so much variety!
jacquee | i sugar coat it!
Vegan and GF never looked so good!! Loving all the colours and flavours in this bowl.
anjali
Thanks Jacquee! That’s also why bowls are my favorite…so much variety!