⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 1 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups Water
• 1 cup Edamame (shelled)
• 1/2 cup Carrots (chopped)
• 1/2 cup Cucumber (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Red onion (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons White miso paste
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce (or tamari)
• 1 teaspoon Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)

📖 Instructions

1. First, let's cook the quinoa. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any bitter saponins. Seriously, don't skip this step, it makes a huge difference!
2. Combine the rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly. Don't overcook it; slightly al dente is perfect.
3. While the quinoa cooks, prep your edamame. If using frozen edamame, thaw it completely according to package instructions. If using fresh edamame, steam or boil them until tender – around 5-7 minutes. Shell them and set them aside.
4. Next, let's tackle those veggies! Chop 1/2 cup of carrots, 1/2 cup of cucumber, and 1/4 cup of red onion into bite-sized pieces. If you're feeling fancy, you can even use a mandoline slicer for perfectly uniform pieces – but a knife totally works fine too!
5. Now for the star of the show: the miso dressing! In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of white miso paste, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick!
6. Time to assemble your Buddha bowl masterpiece! In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, edamame, and chopped veggies. Drizzle generously with the miso dressing, and toss gently to coat everything evenly. This should be a beautiful, colorful mix!
7. Optional: For extra flavor and texture, you can lightly sauté the veggies in a skillet or wok before adding them to the bowl. I love adding a little sesame oil to the pan for extra nutty flavor. Mmmmmm!
8. Once everything is combined, transfer your culinary creation to individual serving bowls. Garnish with extra sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or a sprinkle of chili flakes if desired. Get creative with your garnishes!
9. And there you have it – a delicious, healthy, and visually stunning edamame and quinoa Buddha bowl! Enjoy your creation and don't forget to snap a pic for Instagram or Facebook and tag me! :)

📝 Notes

• For extra protein, add roasted chickpeas or tofu.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of miso dressing to your liking.
• If you don't have maple syrup, honey can be substituted.
• If you like a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
• This recipe is easily adaptable, so feel free to add any other vegetables you enjoy!