Mediterranean Falafel Bowl – Excessive-Protein Lunch Recipe

In my continued quest to seek out protein-rich, plant-based meals to gasoline my runs, I picked up a bag of frozen falafel and turned it right into a ridiculously good Mediterranean Falafel Bowl. It’s extraordinarily filling, flavorful, has texture perfection (crispy + cozy) and loaded with recent greens for the proper lunch.

As you might have observed by the quantity of vegetarian Mediterranean recipes I’ve shared over time, I really like Mediterranean-inspired recipes. At any time when I consider “consuming the rainbow” or consuming for longevity, I gravitate in direction of this model of consuming.

This Mediterranean Falafel Bowl hits all these targets whereas supplying you with an excellent filling and attractive meal in minutes.

This dish is vibrantly coloured and flavored because it options quite a lot of veggies, sauces and even some vegan feta. It’s additionally filled with protein and can preserve you energized all through the afternoon. It’s loaded but received’t go away you feeling bloated or drained.

A pal lately really useful the restaurant Cava to me, and it would simply be my new fav lunch spot after I’m in Oklahoma Metropolis. It’s like a Chipotle-style restaurant devoted to Mediterranean-inspired salads, protein bowls and extra. I can simply eat plant-based right here and the substances are clear and flavorful—it’s addictively scrumptious.

That is my selfmade model of my fav protein bowl from Cava—loaded with a stunning array of substances to gasoline your day.

Mediterranean Falafel Bowl Components

To get a rainbow veggie bowl, you want a number of substances. This checklist could seem lengthy but belief me… you’re not gonna wish to miss out on the flavour explosion of all these wealthy, nutrient-packed substances after they’re blended collectively.

• Couscous: That is a grain that accommodates the antioxidant selenium that may assist lower irritation. Since this does include gluten, swap with brown rice to make this dish gluten-free.
• Falafels: I fell in love with these tasty, fried balls and prefer to preserve a bag readily available to toss into pitas and in bowls like this one.
• Spinach: My base of selection for a salad-style dish is spinach because it’s delicate and never as watery as lettuce. Be at liberty to make use of the leafy greens of your selection!
• Herbs: recent basil and mint are chopped up into this dish and supply nice taste. 
• Lemon juice: Contemporary squeezed lemon juice helps brighten up the entire recipe.
• Olive oil: Be at liberty to make use of your fav extra-virgin olive oil or perhaps a enjoyable infused one.
• Sea salt and black pepper: Add these to style. When you battle to eat salad then do this tip—toss your leafy greens in olive oil, salt and pepper earlier than including anything. This assist taste these greens in a way more palatable method.
• Hummus: Falafel is created from chickpeas and is a good plant-based protein. Add much more protein by means of a scrumptious selfmade hummus and let it double as a sauce as effectively!
• English cucumber: I really like the crunch that cucumber gives with out being overpowering. It additionally pairs effectively with recent mint.
• Kalamata olives: You need to know my love for olives by now. I received’t choose what number of you toss in when you don’t choose me, both!
• Pink onion: This helps convey a sharpness to all of the chickpeas and herbs. It’s additionally colourful… bonus.
• Radishes: Convey much more crunchy veggies with some recent, quartered radishes. Most grocery shops truly promote already sliced radishes so that may prevent a little bit of time when you want it.
• Vegan feta: Feta was one of many best plant-based switches I’ve made. Vegan feta has a style and texture so much like the dairy-filled model that when you served it, folks may not know the distinction. It provides some creaminess to this dish. When you’re not vegan, be happy to make use of conventional feta to get some extra protein.
• Entire wheat pita: If you would like, add in some slices of pita bread to behave as dippers or simply to get pleasure from alongside your falafel bowl. 
• Lemon wedges: There may be all the time room for extra lemon! As soon as you’re able to dive in, squeeze a lemon wedge over the entire bowl for a closing little pizazz.

Make a Falafel Bowl

Use this recipe for a filling lunch or as a enjoyable, household dinner that every member can customise as they need. This can be a method so that you can eat the rainbow with ease, and revel in doing it! I needed one thing simple but satisfying so I opted for already cooked + frozen falafel. When you have the time to prep your personal then go for it! I like to recommend making Yumna’s selfmade Lebanese falafel from her weblog, Really feel Good Foodie. 

Whether or not you make your personal or seize some from the shop, they are going to match proper into this recipe:

Step 1: Begin by making ready the couscous and bake the falafel in accordance with the instructions on their packages. 

Step 2: Toss the prepped couscous with recent spinach, herbs, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. 

Step 3: Since this recipe makes 4 servings when you observe it as-is, divide the herbed couscous combination evenly between 4 bowls then equally divide up the toppings. I’m utilizing hummus, cucumber, olives, onion, radishes and falafel.

Step 4: Sprinkle with feta cheese (vegan or not) and serve with a lemon wedge + pita bread, if desired. This actually works nice with out the pita, but will be extra filling with it if you wish to go that route. 

I really like serving this as falafel salad bowls but in order for you a hand-held model then open up some pitas or seize some flat bread and switch these into falafel wraps. 

That is a simple recipe to prep forward of time because the lemon juice and olive oil tossed round every little thing will assist it keep recent in that lunchbox till you’re able to get pleasure from it.

Straightforward Falafel Bowl Additions

• Use pickled veggies: Take your crimson onions up a notch and make some fast pickled crimson onions from Kate over at Cookie + Kate. I additionally purchase an enormous bucket of them at Costco as a result of they’re pickled with jalapenos (and you realize I looove the warmth!). Swap plain cucumbers for pickled cucumbers. It will create a brighter taste— and the extra taste the merrier! You may as well strive pickled radishes or carrots. The choices are really limitless!
• Pile on the sauces: If Cava can do, so can we! Strive including a scoop of whipped labneh (not vegan), tahini sauce, tzatziki sauce and hummus to create a taste explosion.
• Load up on veggies: Add different greens like cauliflower, broccoli or roasted candy potatoes will be an effective way to scrub out the fridge.
• Use an infused olive oil: I simply acquired some as a Christmas reward from a pal and I plan to drizzle it on every little thing.
• Add a protein increase: The falafel already has some protein, but you’ll be able to all the time improve by including Roasted Chickpeas, sesame seeds, pepitas and even some tofu, in order for you. You… do you.

Extra Mediterranean Recipes

When you love vegetarian Mediterranean recipes like I do then strive a number of extra of my favs from warming entrees like this vegan pumpkin soup and oven-roasted spaghetti squash to marinated celery salad or Greek salad paired with a layered Greek dip.

Take your subsequent gathering up a notch by perfecting a vegan charcuterie board full with selfmade hummus and a stunning inexperienced olive tapenade served with vibrant fruits and veggies.