meals in a bowl!

Buddha bowls, occasionally called "bliss bowls," "nourish bowls," or "power bowls," are the ultimate in one-dish meals. You start with a base of whole grains, rice, noodles, or legumes. Then you layer on a generous assortment of cooked or raw vegetables. Finally, you top the veggies with a boost of protein and then a dressing, sauce, or broth. Buddha bowls are an easy, healthy meal that can be ready in minutes and that you can have for breakfast, lunch, or dinner--or, if you like, all three!

The Buddha bowl concept is loosely based on guidance from Chinese medicine: a meal should have vegetables, protein, and grain. Typically, in a Buddha bowl there is a high ratio of ingredients to broth or sauce and the ingredients are left whole or in large pieces, and not blended, minced, or pureed. Although it is Asian in inspiration, a Buddha bowl can be made with a variety of ingredients from just about anywhere on the planet.

Kelli Foster, who writes about food for the popular website The Kitchn, serves up in these pages an amazing variety of Buddha bowl ideas, each one vibrant with color, alive with flavor, and oh-so-comforting to eat. The delicious and nourishing recipes include:

• Hearty Breakfasts: Blackberry Millet Breakfast Bowl, Coconut Quinoa Breakfast Bowl, Chai-Spiced Multigrain Porridge Bowl, and more
• Cozy Meals: Warm Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Bowls, Sesame Tuna Bowls, Lamb Kebab Bowls, and more
• Dinner Party-Worthy Dishes: Lentil and Smoked Salmon Nicoise Bowls, Miso Noodle Bowls with Stir-Fried Beef, Shrimp Summer Roll Bowls, and more
• Vegan Recipes: Cauliflower Falafel Power Bowls, Spicy Sesame Tofu, Rice Bowls, and more
• Fruit Bowls: Chamomile Poached Pear Bowls, Chocolate-Tahini Chia Pudding Bows, Creamy Freekah Bowls with Honey-Balsamic Stewed Strawberries, and more

Buddha bowls are elegant in appearance and flavor, but surprisingly easy to make--a perfect marriage of convenience and good taste. If you haven't tried them yet, now you have a great reason!