SOBA NOODLE BUDDAH BOWL

How to create YOUR own Buddha Bowl:

• Find a unique, large bowl, which you can become accustomed to as a symbol of nourishment and gratitude, and perhaps a pair of chopsticks to complete the “mood.”

• First, use an abundance of raw organic greens to fill the majority of the bowl. My favourites are kale, rocket/arugula or spinach, which are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.

• Next, add in as many raw or steamed veggies as you like or have available. Mixing textures and variations in taste can be an enjoyable and relaxing creative process: crunchy, sweet, bitter, juicy…

• Now it’s time for a grain or noodles — choose beans like garbanzo, black or kidney, and grains such as quinoa or brown rice. Other delicious additions could be walnuts, pumpkin seeds or ultra-nutritious chia seeds.

• Choose your dressing or add a broth such as the fragrant version in my recipe below. If choosing a dressing, drizzle your favourite olive oil and vinegar, or splash tamari and lemon juice, add finely chop garlic, scallions, mild or hot peppers, sprinkle sea salt, nutritional yeast, or cayenne … discover what feels nourishing to your body, concentrate on tingling your taste buds! And of course, remember to enjoy with gratitude!

Below is MY beautiful soba noodle Buddha bowl recipe. This is exactly how I like to honour my body with warmth from a spicy broth and gorgeous fresh ingredients such as coriander and lime to add zest and lightness.

SOBA NOODLE

BUDDHA BOWL

Serves 4 

:: Ingredients ::

For the broth 

• 1.2 litres (40 oz/5 cups) mushroom or vegetable stock

• 1 star anise

• 2 cardamom pods

• 1 tablespoon peeled and julienned fresh ginger

• 100g (31⁄2oz) soba noodles

• 250g (9oz/23⁄4 cups) fresh chestnut (cremini) and enoki mushrooms (or mushrooms of your choice)

For the bowl 

• 75g (21⁄2oz/1 cup) thinly shredded red cabbage leaves

• 150g (5oz/1 cup) peeled carrots

• 75g (21⁄2oz/1 cup) thinly shredded savoy cabbage

• 75g (21⁄2oz) sugar snap peas

• 90g (3oz/1 cup) bean sprouts, washed

• juice of 1 lime

• fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves

• 1 fresh chilli, cut into thin slices (optional)

• mixed sesame seeds

• lime wedges

• tamari soy sauce, to taste

Method

1. Place all the ingredients for the broth, except the noodles and mushrooms, into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.

2. Once boiling reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, add the buckwheat noodles and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until the noodles are cooked through.

3. Divide the mixture among 4 serving bowls, discarding the cardamom pods and star anise if you prefer.

4. Begin to add the vegetables into the broth by piling a little of each type around the outside of the bowl.

5. Add a squeeze of lime to each bowl, followed by soy, the fresh coriander leaves, chilli (if using), a sprinkling of sesame seeds and a lime wedge.

6. Serve immediately with chopsticks, a spoon to drink the broth at the end and add tamari to taste.