Cold Winter Weather calls for Comfort Food!
So here is another appealing idea for a ‘Buddha Bowl’
Total Comfort in one Bowl!
Ground chicken was used for this recipe, however, ground pork can also be substituted for a perfect all-in-one-bowl dinner.
Check Southwestern Rice Bowl for tips on creating a Rice Bowl.
Spicy Thai Rice Bowl
Prep Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients:
Cilantro Lime Rice:
1 1/2 cups (475 mL) salted water
Juice of a fresh lime
1 cup (250 mL) jasmine rice
1 teaspoon (5 mL) sesame oil
Zest of a fresh lime
2 tablespoons (30 mL) finely chopped fresh cilantro
Stir-Fried Vegetables:
1 or 2 large carrots, thinly sliced, shredded, or spiral-cut
1 large zucchini, thinly sliced, shredded, or spiral-cut
1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Spicy Thai Chicken:
3 tablespoons (45 mL) soy sauce
1 tablespoon (15 mL) honey
1 tablespoon (15 mL) rice vinegar
1 tablespoon (15 mL) sriracha sauce or sambal oelek
1 tablespoon (15 mL) sesame oil
1 tablespoon (15 mL) coconut or vegetable oil
1 ½ pounds (650 grams) lean ground chicken
1 medium onion, fine dice
1 celery stalk, fine dice
½ of a red pepper, fine dice
1 teaspoon (5 mL) minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons (30 mL) creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons (45 mL) chopped green onions
3 tablespoons (45 mL) chopped roasted peanuts
Peanut Sauce:
½ cup (125 mL) creamy peanut butter
3-4 tablespoons (45-60 mL) water
2 tablespoons (30 mL) rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (30 mL) soy sauce
1 tablespoon (15 mL) honey
1 teaspoon (5 mL) minced fresh ginger
1-2 tablespoons (15 – 30 mL) sriracha sauce or sambal oelek
1 tablespoon (15 mL) sesame oil
Method:
Prepare Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl mix the peanut butter with the water until smooth; stir in rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Mix well, and set aside until serving time.
Prepare Rice: Bring salted water and lime juice to a boil; rinse rice with cold water and place in the boiling water. Reduce heat and cook rice until water is absorbed and rice is tender – about 20 minutes (or as package directs). Stir in the sesame oil, lime zest, and chopped cilantro. Set aside (keep warm).
Prepare Vegetables: Cut the carrot and zucchini as desired. Heat olive oil in a large skillet; add carrots and stir-fry until just tender-crisp (3 minutes); add zucchini and stir-fry an additional minute. Season to taste and set aside.
Prepare Chicken:
- In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, hot sauce and sesame oil. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat a large sauté pan or wok over medium heat. Heat oil in pan. Brown the chicken in the hot oil, breaking it up gently as it cooks -10 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, red pepper, minced ginger and garlic to the chicken and continue to sauté for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the peanut butter until it has melted and is incorporated into the chicken mixture.
- Stir in the soy sauce mixture; Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt or pepper; or with extra soy sauce or hot sauce.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and chopped peanuts.
To Serve: Gently reheat Rice and Vegetables if necessary. Build the bowl by placing portions of the Cilantro Lime Rice, Stir-fried Vegetables, and Spicy Thai Chicken in an appealing arrangement. Garnish with chopped cilantro, peanuts, or chopped green onions. Sauce can be drizzled on top or served on the side.
