Fast and easy meals are staple on weeknights. By the time I get home from work and the gym it is usually a bit after 7:00 pm. Since I don’t like to eat dinner right before bed, I rarely make a meal that requires more than 30 minutes to prep and cook. Thus, rice bowls have become staple in my menu rotation.
When I make rice, I usually make it in large batches and freeze a couple of servings to use at a later date. This is a huge time saver. While I’m prepping the toppings, I heat up the rice. Grocery stores also sell frozen cooked rice. It is pricey compared to making it yourself but if you have the cash and don’t have the time..go for it. You can make any kind of rice or substitute with your favorite whole grain (quinoa, bulgar, barley)
There really is no recipe for making these easy rice bowls. My rice bowls usually comprise of meat and vegetables with some sauce. The combinations are endless but my of two favorite combos (these days) are:
Mexican- Grill up a chicken breast (sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, paprika and cumin). Heated pinto beans that I season with garlic, salt, pepper and cumin. On top of the rice I add chicken, beans, salsa and some diced avocado. I garnish with cilantro, cheese and a dollop of sour cream (or Greek yogurt). I I want a little crunch, I crush a few tortilla chips and add to the top.
Korean- I slice up a beef super thin (I like hanger loins) and season with salt, pepper and garlic. In a seasoned hot pan I cook the beef (it only take a few minutes), remove and dress with Korean BBQ Sauce (or I use regular BBQ if I don’t have Korean BBQ sauce). I dice up some veggies ( I use what I have anything goes). In the same pan that I cooked the beef, I stir fry veggies with salt, pepper, garlic and ginger. I top the rice with the beef and veggies. I garnish with kim chi and hot sauce. If I want a real treat, I fry an egg and add it to the bowl.
A few other combos I have created:
Hawaiian: Chicken in cooked light coconut milk, garlic and ginger. Pineapple, bell pepper, onion. Topped with toasted peanuts and hot sauce.
American BBQ- Sliced or pulled pork with BBQ sauce. Roasted peppers and onions. Topped with some slaw (vinegar based).
Greek- Ground lamb seasoned with onion and garlic. Diced tomatoes, onions and cucumbers. Topped with parsley or dill and yogurt.
Persian- Chicken and onions seasoned with garlic. Diced beets, onions and cucumbers. Topped with hummus, parsley and sliced radishes.
Rice bowls are healthy, fast and easy to make. They also taste great. Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavor combinations.
Enjoy!
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