This recipe involves making a spice blend, a sauce, and the recipe. But a little work is SO worth it, you won’t be disappointed! I love the flavor of this recipe so much that I could probably eat it every day. The great thing is this recipe also freezes very well, so you can double the batch and freeze some (if you don’t eat it all) for future meals. So at least this way you save on time the next time you want to eat it – which, if you’re like me, you will crave it regularly. I’m drooling a little while posting this one.
This recipe comes from Thrive Foods, another great Brendan Brazier book.
Shanghai Rice Bowl
(recipe claims to serve two but I think it makes more – depends on how big of an eater you are I guess)
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 baby bok choy, cut in half lengthwise (or chopped smaller if you like)
- 6 Tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp tamari (or could be replaced with soy sauce, etc)
- 3 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and halved if large (I just used reg. sliced mushrooms)
- 4 cups cooked brown basmati rice
- 1/2 cup tahini sauce (recipe below)
- 2 tsp mixed herbs (recipe below)
- 2 cups sunflower sprouts (I used an alfalfa sprout mixture)
- 2 Tbsp hulled hemp seeds (Hemp Hearts)
- 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (I just tossed in the entire can)
Tahini Sauce (makes more than you need for single recipe)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (I’m not a huge parsley fan, so I halve that amount)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2/3 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
In a blender, process garlic, parsley, salt & lemon juice until smooth. Add water & tahini, process until smooth. Add a bit of water if too thick. Can be stored in a container in the fridge for 4 days. (You only need 1/2 cup of this sauce for the single recipe above).
Mixed Herbs (makes more than you need for single recipe)
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 1 Tbsp dried marjoram
- 1 Tbsp dried dill
- 1 Tbsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 1/2 tsp dried sage
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container – it will last forever. Just rub it between your fingers before using to release the flavors. Use on pastas, salads, rice bowls, etc. Or save it for every time you make this recipe!
OKAY DON’T GET INTIMIDATED AT THIS POINT. I realize it looks like a lot, but it’s really not! Here comes the easy part:
- Make sure you’ve cooked your rice if you haven’t already. Let it cook while you get the rest of the recipe together and set aside until you need it.
- Put the water in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the bok choy and cover. Steam until the bok choy is almost tender (5 minutes). When the water evaporates, add 2 Tbsp of the olive oil, 2 Tbsp of the tamari, and the mushrooms. Saute 5 minutes until bok choy and mushrooms aare tender. Set aside.
- Get a large pot, or you could possibly use the pot you cooked the rice in if it’s large enough. Combine the 4 cups of cooked rice with the 1/2 cup tahini sauce, 4 Tbsp olive oil, and 4 Tbsp tamari. Sprinkle with 2 tsp mixed herbs and add in the sauteed bok choy/mushroom mixture. Give this all a good stir.
- Then stir in the sprouts, hemp seeds and chickpeas.
- ENJOY!!