The temperatures are still below freezing, but thankfully spring started showing its face in our local Whole Foods Market. Every time I go there, colorful and beautifully laid-out vegetables are making me feel hopeful that warmer days are ahead. Consequently, I find myself leaving the store with all kinds of colorful vegetables. Today’s recipe, Quinoa Power Bowl, happened as a result of one of those visits. This plant-based, protein-packed, and dairy free vegan bowl is our current favorite meal.
About This Quinoa Power Bowl:
As the name suggests, the base of this bowl is quinoa. If you are a fan of this seed like I am, you know that quinoa is very high in protein. It is no secret that it is a powerhouse by itself. However in this recipe, to make it even more “powerful”, I topped it off with Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs. I was introduced to this vegan alternative to “meatballs” by a friend, who has been a big fan for sometime now. She recently served them at a gathering as an appetizer and since then I have been meaning to give them a try. So in my last visit to Whole Foods Market, I picked up a few packets for us to try at home. I have to say, they did not disappoint. These meatless meatballs are sold at the frozen section of the supermarket. They are so convenient in that you don’t have to worry about thawing them. You can easily bake them in the oven, cook in the microwave, or sauté (like I did) to serve them in less than 15 minutes. With Gardein and Earth Balance, it’s easier to choose plant-based food without giving us taste, convenience, or quality. Speaking of sauteing, I used Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread® to cook the meatballs. I have seen a lot of vegan blogger friends use it as an alternative to butter so I wanted to give it a try. I was surprised to find out that it had a surprisingly smooth taste for a dairy-free butter.
Best Toppings For Quinoa Power Bowl:
To top off the quinoa, in addition to Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs, I used colorful vegetables. I love that they are not only super healthy, but also visually appealing for those of us who eat with their eyes. While you can use whatever vegetable you have on hand, I used bell peppers, red cabbage, sprouts, avocados, asparagus, and fresh corn. I sauteed the corn and asparagus just a little bit with Earth Balance Buttery Spread after I finished cooking the meatballs. Using the same pan helped with infusing the oregano and fennel flavors of the meatballs into the vegetables to create a cohesive flavor profile throughout the dish. Find your local Whole Foods market HERE, and be sure to purchase the Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs, and Earth Balance Buttery Spread and save using this coupon offer.
