Protein bowl with pumpkin oil recipe

We first made this particular Buddha bowl in the autumn, so chose to roast our Brussels sprouts, beets, and cauliflower. Is there anything else with as much gently full-bodied flavour as roast vegetables? Huge fans of roast beet in particular - such healthful richness and depth! But this bowl would work equally well with raw vegetables. Maybe the sun's out, or maybe you just crave the freshness.

Big characters in small packages

In any case, it's the gochujang that gives the dish its kick.  Similarly to Mexican chipotle peppers or many varieties of Middle Eastern pepper and chilli pastes, gochujang is a smoky, spicy paste that is easy to keep in your refrigerator and add to dishes as needed.  A native of Korea, this condiment is a big personality that performs way beyond the small amount you will need to add into your dishes. Unlike many other pastes though, gochujang is also fermented. As you will probably know by now, this means that it is an incredible support to your digestive system.

We decided to bring mustard into the dressing so it could help the gochujang bring us completely out of the grey day outside our window. It's hard to beat the classic and somewhat nostalgic dressing of mustard, a sweet substance like honey or agave, and vinegar. Something put together around the similarly strong and attractive flavours of ginger, miso, or tahini could work equally well too, depending on mood, your regular lineup of dressings and ingredients, and how much time you have on your hands.  

Once you have your vegetables prepared, dressing mixed, and ingredients assembled, further pleasures await. Arranging the elements in a bowl is something to devote time and attention (although perhaps not conscious thought) to. After all, the more agreeable this dish looks, the more you will be likely to linger mindfully over the eating of it. 

Starting out with the rocket, we then settled each type of vegetable separately. In conclusion, we plant the proteins of amaranth and hummus in the centre, the heart of the dish. Read more about amaranth benefits

Black gold

We love the phrase "the black-gold of the green region," traditionally used to describe pumpkin seed oil from the east of Austria. Certainly, this oil is delicately nutty and earthy; drizzling it over the bowl will help to earth and root the foods you have lovingly put together.  Moreover, the precious phytochemicals contained in the oil are valuable in numerous ways, including supporting your immune system and metabolism.

Pepitas, "little seeds of squash," as pumpkin seeds are called in Spanish, are packed with healthy fats, magnesium and zinc. Further, they are rich in antioxidants, iron, zinc, magnesium and many other nutrients. Most importantly and above all - enjoy!