Southwestern Buddha Bowl

This sweet, smoky, spicy vegan Southwestern Buddha Bowl will satisfy your Southwest food cravings without having to travel to the Southwest!

Even though it has been scorching hot here in Tucson, Arizona, I still like to eat a good hot meal. (Maybe it’s because I am crazy, or maybe it’s because my body temperature is a bit off.) Since Summer squash and zucchini are readily available, I thought I would include them in a Southwestern Buddha Bowl. This meal is really easy to throw together: pop the vegetables in the oven to roast, whip up some dressing, and make the quinoa.

I paired this bowl with my chipotle dressing. It is one that I eat a lot. I love anything spicy, and chipotle has not only heat, but a wonderful smoky flavor as well. For the black beans I added sweet and spicy flavors to balance out the bowl. I made them with maple syrup and chipotle, which go fabulously together.

Southwestern Buddha Bowl

Serves 3-6

Ingredients

• Roasted vegetables
• 1 1/2 cups sliced sweet potato
• 1 1/2 cups zucchini and yellow squash
• 3/4 cup sliced red pepper
• 3/4 cup sliced red onion
• drizzle of olive oil
• salt and pepper
• pinch of oregano
• Quinoa
• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1 cup water
• Maple chipotle black beans
• 15 ounce can black beans
• 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons crushed chipotle pepper or 2 chilies in adobo sauce
• 4 teaspoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons low sodium tamari
• For bowls
• chipotle dressing
• 3 cups spinach

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Quinoa: Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Place water and quinoa in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all the water is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Roasted vegetables: Place sliced vegetables in a baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over vegetables. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and oregano on top. Roast at 450° for 15-20 minutes*, or vegetables are cooked through and browned.
4. Maple Chipotle Black Beans: Place black beans, vegetable broth, chipotle, maple syrup, and tamari in a pan. Cook on medium heat until liquid is dissolved.
5. Bowls: Place spinach, quinoa, roasted vegetables, and maple chipotle black beans in bowls. Drizzle chipotle dressing on top.

*Note: Roasting time depends on how thick you cut the vegetables.