This easy vegetarian and gluten-free rice bowl recipe is elevated to “must make every week” status by the garlic-infused rice and light cilantro dressing.
I like meals that reinforce my periodic laziness at dinnertime. When I don’t feel like making a meal that could actually be categorized as a recipe, I find myself throwing random fridge and pantry items into a bowl, hoping like heck that the combination will amaze my family rather than cause mutiny.
Of course, rice bowls are actual things. If you do a Google search, they’ll pop up all over the place…unlike “Soba Noodle Salsa Teriyaki Salmon Surprise”. Not that I’ve ever made that. But on a really busy night, it could happen.
I don’t think it’s a big leap to say that my family would prefer the recipe bowl.
You can keep this one vegetarian and gluten-free, or you can add another type of lean protein. The last time I made this, I tossed in some spice-rubbed pork tenderloin left over from a previous meal. Really, you could add in almost any ingredient that goes well with cilantro dressing.
At the end of the day, this dish comes down to the garlic-infused rice and the light cilantro dressing. A winning combination, to be sure. In this recipe, I used white rice, but we typically gravitate towards fiber-rich brown rice. Quinoa would work well here, too.
For the recipe, head over to allParenting. I promise that this will become a go-to recipe for your family.
Other quick and healthy meals:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Spiced Mushroom, Chickpea & Tomato Stew {Vegetarian, Vegan}
Cookin’ Canuck’s Chinese Noodle with Chicken, Bok Choy & Hoisin Sauce
Two Peas and Their Pod’s Roasted Vegetable Pita Sandwich
Jeanette’s Healthy Living’s Roasted Chili Orange Salmon
Iowa Girl Eats’ Apple Almond Quinoa with Maple Sausage
Tieghan says
Sep 20, 2013 at 6:54 amI LOVE rice bowls. The a a twice a week meal around here! These look awesome!
Maria says
Sep 20, 2013 at 7:34 amI could eat this every day!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Sep 20, 2013 at 7:40 amLove this for a quick weeknight meal!!
Kathy - Panini Happy says
Sep 20, 2013 at 8:59 amI just made something like this for the first time last week – my kids loved it! I made a lemony rice (was out of limes) and I added some ground turkey that I spiced with cumin, ancho chile, garlic, etc. The dressing idea sounds like a great one – I’ll try it!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
Sep 20, 2013 at 9:48 amI love the fresh flavors. I could eat this every day as well!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:57 amI make something called a sushi slacker bowl that my kids love. Sometimes I’ll cook rice with the oil and herbs in it, but this dressing is smarter! I would devour this.
Jess S. @ Floptimism says
Sep 20, 2013 at 1:41 pmGreat idea! This is the kind of meal that would just make me feel good, eating it — I love that!
Mireya @ myhealthyeatinghabits says
Sep 20, 2013 at 9:03 pmI agree! This is something I could have each week too. It’s a wonderful combo of color, texture and flavor.
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:45 pmThis is my kind of meal!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:49 pmLOVE cilantro dressing in this yummy mexican rice bowl 🙂
La Cuisine d'Helene says
Sep 21, 2013 at 8:37 amThat dressing with cilantro must be so good. I have to try.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Sep 21, 2013 at 1:28 pmThis DOES look easy! I love meals like this!
maddiemalone says
Sep 27, 2013 at 3:17 amThis is something I could have each week too.
Jeanette says
Sep 28, 2013 at 6:38 pmI love the idea of one bowl meals – great way to clean out the fridge and get dinner on the table quick! Yours looks like something my kids would love!
Rosie says
Jan 27, 2018 at 5:55 amHi, the link to allparenting.com isn’t working anymore – in fact any attempt to access their website at all results in a timeout notice. Is there anyway you can post this recipe on your blog so it can be accessed again? It’s one of mine and my husband’s favorite dinners and we make it almost every week, but I can’t remember the dressing ratios. Thank you!
Dara says
Aug 10, 2018 at 6:22 pmHi Rosie, it should be working again. I’m so glad you love the recipe so much!