A few weeks back, we took advantage of the amazing weather and spent a family day in the beautiful town of La Jolla, Ca. We don't live very far from this gorgeous beach community, but don't visit nearly as often as we should. Our lunch stop on this adventure was a cafe that my husband often frequented for lunch during the work week...The Lean and Green Cafe.
It was my first time here and lets just say it was love at first bite! Their menu is packed with fresh organic amazing ingredients and it all looks delicious! I had a really hard time deciding what to try first, but I definitely hit the jackpot with my choice, this incredible protein bowl. It was so good in fact, that I decided to recreate it for the blog because there was no way I could wait until next time we went back to eat it again!
They call it the "Super Bowl," but I added a few ingredients and veganized it, so I decided to call my version the "Sweet and Spicy Power Protein Bowl." And the name definitely fits the taste! Enjoy this little bowl packed with protein and goodness and if you are ever in La Jolla, make sure you visit this great cafe!
Sweet and Spicy Power Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups quinoa
- 1 cup brown rice optional or you can do an extra cup of quinoa
- 3 cups veggie broth to cook quinoa/rice can sub water
- 2 cans black beans
- 1 bunch kale chopped
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- ½ of a red onion chopped
- Veggie broth for sautéing or your favorite oil if using oil
- drizzle of Miso Sauce see below
- drizzle of your favorite hot sauce optional
Miso Sauce
- 4 tablespoons chickpea miso or can use a white miso for a soy version
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil for oil free version, omit or add sesame seeds for taste
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon fresh chopped garlic
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Rinse and cook the quinoa/rice in a rice cooker or on stovetop using the veggie broth (or water).
- Wash and clean beans and veggies. Cut veggies.
- Sauté mushrooms and red onion in oil, or broth, in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes until just cooked but not too soft, do not over cook. Steam kale for 1-2 minutes until you begin to see the bright green color, remove from heat. Again, do not overcook.
- Prepare miso sauce by putting everything in a food processor, blender or high speed blender and blend well.
- Assemble ingredients in a bowl and drizzle miso sauce and your favorite hot sauce over the top.
Notes
- Miso is a paste found at most health food stores and some larger grocery stores that have a variety of ethnic ingredients. You may have extra miso sauce depending on how much you put on top, but it makes a great salad dressing and dip for things like veggies or these summer rolls.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Laura Lee
Can you remove my comment above I'd like to put up a different one. You're right the oil amount would have made a difference. I think I would just add a little tahini paste to thicken it since I will not be using less sesame oil when I make it.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Laura! Sure! I deleted it. The tahini paste sounds like a good addition!
Kelly Isaac
I am STOKED about this recipe!!! I had something similar to this at a plant based cafe down in Texas so i was really excited to see this one on the blog!!! I made it tonight and it was every bit as good as it looks and MORE!! I will be adding this to my list of must makes (because its so easy and delicious). Thank you so much for creating this!!!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so so much Kelly!! I love that you had something similar out too and like me are now able to eat it at home. I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback, and of course for trying my recipes!!
Michelle
I just made this for lunch. I absolutely love it it will be a staple in my house thank you for the wonderful recipe.
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Michelle!! I'm so happy you liked it!! You are so welcome. Thank you for trying out my recipes!
Sabrina
I made this tonight, and we loved it!! Thanks so much for the recipe.
veggiesdontbite
So glad to hear! It's such a great way to fill your meal with healthy stuff! Thanks so much for following and leaving feedback. Makes my day!
huntfortheverybest
this looks great. i love lots of protein and veggies!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! It's delicious and the miso sauce can be used in many other ways! The sweet and spicy combo gives a nice twist to the bowl.
vegenista (@vegenista)
Oh man! I am all about the "bowls" right now. Looks incredible. Pinning...
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! You'll love it! I'm obsessed with the miso sauce...so good.
veggiesdontbite
So glad you gave it a try!! For future reference, the miso sauce is actually on the sweeter side, it's the hot sauce that gives the bowl that spicy flavor but you don't need that with it. It looks like yours turned out great!
Kelly Isaac
i actually had both the miso and hot sauce on it.. my miso turned out a lot thinner so unfortunately it did not show up in the picture lol.... but the flavor was amazing!
veggiesdontbite
I did see some of the miso sauce! It's so good and I'm thrilled you loved it too!! Thank you again!
Dimple@shivaaydelights
Looks and sounds amazing!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!!
mgdailyexploits
Looks fabulous! I'll have to try it 😀
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!! Please let me know how it turns out if you do!