Better In A Bowl

Everything's Better in a Bowl

Enter the easiest and most delicious weeknight meal: The Bowl. Crafting the perfect bowl can be as simple as pulling together a few pantry staples and dressing it all with a homemade vinaigrette. What was once seen as just a “millennial trend” founded on Instagram, bowls seem to have now been adopted by all age groups and are now featured on menus ranging from sit-down to fast casual.

Not only can bowls make weeknight meals a breeze, they can also add a variety of nutrients to your diet by incorporating colorful vegetables and crunchy toppings, such as nuts and seeds. Beyond that, bowls can provide a nearly perfect balance of all three macronutrients – protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Eating in this way can promote satiety and even balance our blood sugar, so we can make it to our next meal or snack without feeling “hangry.”

The Anatomy of the Bowl 

Bowls can be crafted in a variety of ways with a number of different ingredients. In fact, some of our favorite bowls are whipped up from pantry, refrigerated, and frozen staples. We're willing to bet that you can create something from the ingredients you have on hand right now! Here’s a rundown of the most basic formula that can be customized to your liking:

Anatomy Of A Bowl
  1. Choose a Base: The most common bases are all about greens and whole grains. Think brown rice, quinoa, farro, mixed greens, spinach, or a combination. Beans, legumes, and whole grain noodles make great options too.   
  2. Choose a Protein: Plant and animal protein both work well. Easy options include grilled chicken, salmon, chickpeas, or tofu. Protein prep will give your bowl a certain flare. Think about dicing, shredding, mashing, or leaving your proteins whole. 
  3. Add Veggies: Aim for a variety of veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots; different cooking methods impart different flavors and textures, so think about steaming, roasting, sauteing, or all three!
  4. Sauce It: The basic vinaigrette formula is 3 parts oil to 1 part acid. Make a quick dressing to add to your bowl, such as a Carrot Ginger Dressing, or look for healthy store-bought options like fresh salsa or a squeeze of lemon plus a drizzle of sriracha.
  5. Add Crunch: Raw veggies or nuts and seeds are easy ways to add texture and flavor. Some of our dietitians also love a little popcorn or Pirate's Booty on top. 


Themed Bowls 

Choosing a “theme” is helpful when crafting your bowl, and can guide your choices when deciding which ingredients to use. Need ideas to get you started? We’ve got you covered with some of our favorite bowls of all time:

Stir Fry Bowl: brown rice, crispy baked tofu, roasted broccoli, carrots, spicy peanut sauce

Tofu Bowl

Mediterranean Bowl: quinoa and mixed greens, lemon oregano grilled chicken or za’tar marinated chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled red onions, kalamata olives, feta cheese, tzatziki sauce

Indian Bowl: basmati rice and mixed greens, tandoori chicken, roasted eggplant, cauliflower and zucchini, cucumber raita yogurt sauce


And there you have it! The bowl craze – explained. We hope you’re convinced to give bowls a try (if you haven’t already). Need more inspiration? Check out some of our favorite homemade dressings to try drizzled on top of your favorite bowl combination. And make sure to read up on how to get that perfect Insta-worthy shot of your own creation!

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At FLIK Hospitality Group we believe in great food, great service, and great people. Our wellness first approach ensures our food supports healthy and delicious choices, specially curated by our team of culinary experts and registered dietitians. At FLIK, we believe in seasonality in sourcing our ingredients and providing a customized approach to the culinary and hospitality needs of each client. Our dedication to providing quality hospitality service is unparalleled in the industry.

Have feedback or questions for our team? Email us at flikblog@compass-usa.com.