This easy meal is not only tasty and super quick to make, but it's also a great weight loss friendly meal! This filling Sesame Quinoa Bowl is perfect for meal prepping or a quick weeknight meal.
I've been working to simplify my meals so I can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with other important things in my life.
I've rediscovered the marvelous microwave, and what a time saver it is! After years of being unsure of the safety of cooking food in the microwave, I've found that there really is no research that supports the claims that microwaves are unsafe.
And therefore, I'm bringing you a super fun recipe that requires no cooking on the stove and will be ready to eat in about 15 minutes!
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Why you'll love this Sesame Quinoa Bowl
- Ready in 15 minutes!
- Weight loss friendly meal that focuses on filling up with fiber filled veggies, wholesome starches and plant-based protein
- oil free
- gluten free
- whole food plant based & vegan, of course!
Ingredients
- 1½ cups cooked quinoa (choose prepackaged or microwaved for quickest result!)
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups purple cabbage, shredded
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ lime
- 1-2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional)
How to make a Sesame Quinoa Bowl
To begin this recipe, take a moment to prep your veggies- grate the carrot, shred the cabbage and slice the green onions! You can save even more time if you choose to replace this step by buying a pre-packaged slaw mixture when grocery shopping!
In a microwave steamer or a covered microwave safe bowl add the broccoli florets with a splash of water. Microwave for 5 minutes. Grab a small bowl and whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth and no lumps remain.
Divide the cooked quinoa and chickpeas between two microwave safe dishes. Then top it off with the remaining components, drizzle each with half of the dressing and a fresh squeeze of lime. Mix it up well and enjoy!
Time Saving Tips
While this recipe is already very quick to make, you can make it even quicker by following these tips:
- Skip grating the carrots and cabbage by buying a pre-made slaw mix at the store!
- Buy pre-cooked quinoa for the quickest prep time! (If avoiding oil, make sure you check the labels.)
- Prep quinoa in advance and make it even easier by following these Microwave Quinoa instructions!
- Buy pre-chopped and pre-washed broccoli florets instead of crowns or heads!
- Use frozen broccoli instead of fresh! Steamer bags of frozen broccoli can be a time saver when if comes to prep and cleanup!
Customize this dish!
The base of this meal is easily customizable! Switch up the veggies,
- Switch up the veggies to what you have on hand or use whatever you like best!
- Serve over greens to up the veggies!
- Change up the beans! Edamame would also be a delicious protein source in this component bowl.
Why are component bowls good for weight loss?
A component bowl, is basically a meal in which you put a number of different foods together and often tie it all together with a sauce or dressing.
They are easy to customize and are the perfect way to incorporate healthy boosting vegetables, plant-based proteins, healthy fats and fiber.
This Quinoa Component Bowl is great as a weight loss or health building meal because
- it's full of plant-based protein, fiber and just enough healthy fats
- is made of whole food ingredients
- is made completely oil free
- uses the idea of calorie density to build a plate that is packed with volume but is not super calorically dense
- and most importantly... is as tasty as it is healthy!
Storage
Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Watch me make it!
Recipe
Sesame Quinoa Bowl
Ingredients
- 1½ cups cooked quinoa*
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 15 oz
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups purple cabbage, shredded
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ lime, juiced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon tamari may substitute soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prep the raw veggies: Grate the carrot, purple cabbage and thinly slice the green onion. Set aside.2 cups purple cabbage, shredded, 1 large carrot, grated, 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- In a microwave steamer or a covered microwave safe bowl add the broccoli florets with a bit of water to cover the bottom of the dish. Microwave for 5 minutes and set aside.4 cups broccoli florets
- While the broccoli is cooking, grab a small bowl and whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth and no lumps remain.2 tablespoons tahini, 1 tablespoon tamari, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon miso, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 2 tablespoons water
- Divide the cooked quinoa and chickpeas between two microwave safe dishes and warm for 1:30 minutes, or to your desired heat level.1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 1½ cups cooked quinoa*
- Between the 2 bowls, add the remaining components, drizzle each with half of the dressing and a fresh squeeze of lime. Mix it up well and enjoy!½ lime, juiced
Notes
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! Take a picture and tag me on Instagram @samcookskindness !
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