If you're looking for a filling, healthy and delicious lunch then why not try one of these three nut protein power bowls? Full of healthy plant protein from the quinoa, nuts and peanut butter, they'll certainly help you avoid the afternoon slump.
When I read that this month's Recipe Redux theme was plant-based protein power bowls I have to admit I felt more challenged than usual. You see, although I'm aware of the recent trend for 'bowl food' and I've seen some lovely recipes and pictures online, I haven't made any dishes in this style until now.
Luckily, I did already have some bowls. But only just. I bought them a couple of months ago thinking I really should get on trend. Well, this month's Recipe Redux has forced me to do just that.
What is black quinoa like?
I decided to use black quinoa as the base for my vegan power bowl. It has a lovely crunch to it but any quinoa would be fine or you could substitute it for another grain. Quinoa is high in protein though so seemed the perfect choice for this challenge.
I added peas and broccoli as I wanted some green vegetables in there and the peas would add extra protein too. I love toasted nuts so I used a mixture of almonds, peanuts and cashew nuts as well as a thick sauce with lots of peanut butter in it.
What does this nutty protein power bowl taste like?
The peanut butter sauce has a lovely satay flavour from the ginger, garlic, soy, vinegar and chilli flakes. When making up the sauce you can keep it quite thick or you can add a little extra water to make it more runny. Keep tasting it though as the water dilutes the flavour of the other ingredients so you may need to add a little more of something to get it just right.
I've placed the ingredients separately in the bowl with the thick sauce in the middle but it's up to you how you eat it. Once I began to tuck in I mixed everything up together. It didn't look so pretty but it tasted good!
You can eat these three nut protein power bowls hot or cold so it's a great recipe for taking out as a packed lunch or preparing in advance for an easy dinner.
Three Nut Protein Power Bowl
Ingredients
- 80 g quinoa
- 4 broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp peas
- 20 g peanuts
- 20 g almonds
- 20 g cashew nuts
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 small garlic clove crushed
- ½ tsp ginger grated
- 1 tbsp white wine or rice vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- ¼ tsp crushed red chilli flakes
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to the pack instructions as well as the broccoli and the peas.
- Put the nuts in a dry frying pan and toast them gently until they are golden.
- Mix together all the ingredients for the sauce plus a dash a of hot water from the kettle. If the sauce is too thick just add a little more water. Keep tasting and adjust the flavours if necessary.
- Serve in a bowl.
Notes
Nutrition
More Healthy Vegan Recipes
If you like this protein power bowl then why not try one of my other vegan recipes
Kabocha Squash Stuffed with Black Quinoa
Pin for later!
Caroline Taylor (@AllThatImEating)
I like the sound of this, super healthy!
Corina
Thanks Caroline!
Luci {Luci's Morsels}
Mmm this looks so good and filling! Can't wait to try!
Rika (@thedealmatch)
I love healthy recipes! This protein bowl looks so good!
Corina
Thanks Rika! It really is a recipe that makes you feel good!
Plating Pixels
Can't get any healthier than this. Yet it looks super yummy!
Corina
Exactly! I do my best to eat healthy food most of the time and this is filling and tasty too!
Platter Talk
Very nice pictures and healthy way to eat. I need more meals like this. Thanks.
Corina
Thank you!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
Love this. Such an awesome combination of flavors and nice pictues 🙂
Corina
Thanks Stephanie! I really enjoyed this - a tasty easy lunch.
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
Oooh Corina this looks like a perfect lunch! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Corina
Yes, it was really tasty! I need to make it again!
Intolerant Gourmand
My goodness, this looks lovely! And packed full of so much goodness too! #cookblogshare
Corina
Thanks! I'm so pleased you like it.
ema
that looks fabulous - love the flavours in that sauce. Saying bonjour via #cookblogshare
Corina
Thanks Ema! The sauce was lovely and would be great with roasted squash or pumpkin too.
Mandy Mazliah
I love meals like this - you just feel brilliant after eating them! Thanks for linking up with #CookBlogShare
Corina
It was very easy to put together too! I often don't think of the healthiest options when I'm doing lunch at home but this definitely was healthy and filling.
Jacqui Bellefontaine
That really does look healthy and tasty too.
Corina
Thanks Jacqui!
nutrisavvysblog
Love this dish! You've captured it beautiful as the quinoa "pops" (and it does literally I know) and the colors complement well. A nut-lover, this dish is right up my alley!!!
Corina
I'm so pleased you like it! Thank you.
Cindy Kerschner
I love nuts this is my kind of power bowl!
Corina
Thanks Cindy!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
This looks like a perfect lunch and that sauce looks delicious! It would probably be great on noodles too!
Corina
Yes, I'm sure it would be lovely with noodles!
AutumnPTW
First time reader, stopped by from the reciperedux linkup. You had me at cashews! I love them in everything, this looks delish!
Corina
I am a big fan of cashews too! I love all nuts but I don't usually have more than one variety in a savoury dish, although I might from now on!
AZ@...And a Dash of Cinnamon
oh yum! I love nuts! Great way to combine a whole bunch of them!
Corina
Exactly!
Christine
That sauce! I'm picturing it on pretty much everything right now.
Corina
Oh yes! I think the sauce could definitely be used with lots of other meals too!
Elaine @ foodbod
Love it - plant based protein is my world!
Corina
Thanks Elaine! Although I'm not vegan or vegetarian I love meals like this - It makes me feel healthy!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus
Sounds delicious!
Corina
Thank you! It was yummy!
foodsciencenerd
The variety of textures and shapes in this power bowl are so interesting!
Corina
Thank you!
Nico @ yumsome
This looks fantastic, and I love the photos too - they're so vibrant and pretty. Makes me want to dive right in, and nom the lot!
Corina
Thank you Nico! I'm so pleased you like the photos as well. I think they've turned out well because I made this for myself for lunch so there was a lot of natural light.
dietitianjess
Love all the nuts in this bowl- I bet it adds the perfect crunch!
Corina
They do! I love nuts in savoury dishes.