Vegan Buddha Bowl with Tahini Dressing

A fresh and healthy Buddha bowl filled with grains, protein-packed chickpeas, fresh veggies, and a creamy tahini dressing. This recipe combines slow cooker convenience and rice cooker simplicity for a well-rounded meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa (use a rice cooker for easy cooking)
• 1 cup chickpeas, roasted (or slow cooker chickpeas)
• 1 cup cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ avocado, sliced
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Slow Cooker Chickpeas:

1. Ingredients: 1 cup dried chickpeas, 2 cups water, pinch of salt.
2. Directions: Add chickpeas, water, and salt to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Once cooked, drain and roast with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 400°F for 20-25 minutes for a crispy texture.

Rice Cooker for Quinoa:

1. Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water.
2. Directions: Place quinoa and water in the rice cooker and cook until done. Fluff with a fork once cooked.

Tahini Dressing:

1. Ingredients: 2 tbsp tahini, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp maple syrup, salt, pepper.
2. Directions: Whisk tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add water a little at a time until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.

Assembling the Buddha Bowl:

1. Arrange the cooked quinoa, roasted chickpeas, sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, and avocado slices in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with tahini dressing and serve either cold or at room temperature.

Additional Variations Using Slow Cooker and Rice Cooker:

1. Slow Cooker Chickpeas:
   Instead of roasting the chickpeas in the oven, you can simply add them to the slow cooker with spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic for added flavor. You can use the slow cooker for various beans, including corned beef or slow-cooked pork, to pair with your Buddha bowl.
2. Slow Cooker Protein-Packed Buddha Bowl:
   To increase protein, add slow-cooked tempeh or tofu instead of chickpeas. You can also add slow cooker chicken breast or thighs for a non-vegan alternative.
3. Vegetarian Slow Cooker Buddha Bowl:
   For a vegetarian version, consider slow-cooked beans like kidney beans or pinto beans, and add in a mix of veggies like sweet potatoes and bell peppers for more texture and flavor.
4. Slow Cooker Soup and Buddha Bowl Combo:
   Pair your Buddha bowl with a hearty slow-cooked soup, such as a slow cooker chili or slow cooker lentil soup, for a full meal. You can also use a slow cooker beef stroganoff or slow-cooked beef short ribs to complement the Buddha bowl.
5. Rice Cooker for Grain-Based Bowls:
   Not only quinoa, but you can use rice cookers to prepare a variety of grains like farro, barley, or brown rice, all of which make excellent bases for your Buddha bowls.

Serving Suggestions:

• Summer Slow Cooker Recipes:
  Pair the Buddha bowl with a refreshing summer slow cooker soup or light side dish made in the slow cooker, like a slow-cooked corn on the cob or slow cooker vegetables.
• Crock Pot Pork Roast Recipes:
  For a filling non-vegan variation, slow-cooked pork roast complements the Buddha bowl for a satisfying meal, mixing fresh veggies with slow-cooked tenderness.
• High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes:
  Add high-protein slow cooker ingredients like chickpeas or tempeh to the Buddha bowl for a more filling, balanced meal.

This Vegan Buddha Bowl with slow cooker chickpeas and rice cooker quinoa is a nutritious and customizable recipe. It’s perfect for meal prepping, offering a healthy base that can be paired with a variety of slow-cooked proteins, sides, and soups. The flexibility of slow cooker and rice cooker methods makes it an easy and convenient choice for a satisfying meal any day.