It’s ALLLL about the homemade dressings. They are tasty as HECK and you know exactly what’s in there. You don’t want that crap in your body, heck I don’t want that crap in my CAR. Ditch it. Make your own. Once you have several homemade dressings in the fridge you’ll be able to create quick bomb-ass lunches, no sweat.

Miso Ginger Dressing

Ingredients

• 2 tsp. grated ginger (about 1’’ knob)

• 2 cloves garlic grated/minced

• 3 tsp. miso paste

• 3 tsp. honey (if vegan, replace with maple syrup)

• 1 tsp. soy sauce

• 1/2 cup lime juice (fresh squeezed!)

• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil (optional)

Make it!

Add all ingredients into a small jar with a tight lid. Smash the miso paste with a fork to break it up. Secure lid of jar and shake what ya mamma gave YA! I mean, definitely shake the jar, but I sure love a full body effort! Once the dressing has emulsified and the miso is no longer chunky, you’re ready to pour this bad boy all over your bowl — but wait, let me give you some…

Bowl-Building Tips + Essential Elements!

You’ll need to start with…

*I have included vegan/non-vegan options for these bowls!

• starch/grain

  • (or in defense of quinoa — a seed), roasted sweet potato/purple potato, wild rice, barley, farro, rainbow quinoa, etc.

• protein

  • beans (black beans, cannellini beans, edamame, lentils, chickpeas), jammy/hard-boiled/fried egg, tempeh/tofu, smoked/baked salmon, shredded chicken, heck, throw a steak on it!

• fat

  • (If you skip this one you’ll be hungry quite soon after, don’t fear the FAT!)

  • avocado, cheese, nuts/nut butters, coconut oil, olive oil.

• aromatics/spices

  • scallions, mint, basil, parsley, cilantro, red onion, or sometimes I’ll just cook my greens/beans/sweet potatoes with curry powder and garlic!

• crunchies

  • (the party favor of grain bowls!) — sesame/pumpkin/hemp/chia seeds, toasted coconut flakes, any toasted nuts, nutritional yeast, bread crumbs.

• get dressed up

  • Never omit a dressing from a grain bowl, the acid in a dressing is essential for brightening the bowl! Obviously, I recommend my ginger miso dressing, but I also love Bon Appétit’s easy Tahini dressing.

• taste your bowl

  • If it’s off, add more of something. Sometimes you might just need a squeeze of lemon/lime.

• share with friends!

  • Enjoy each bite in between a great conversation.