OLCF Lunch Hour No. 9 — The Bowl Method
Every Tuesday, we get together at the One Love Community Studio to make lunch — for a communal meal and to pack up meals for fridges.
During Lunch Hour we cook with recipes from friends & members of our community and focus on fresh produce that are included in the weekly CSA bag and that we stock the fridges with.
The Bowl Method by Selena Ayala
The Bowl Method is all about versatility, convenience, and creativity. While basic cooking skills, such as preparing staples like rice, roast vegetables, or seared meats, are essential, this approach isn't solely focused on perfect recipes.
Instead, it encourages you to experiment, personalize, and get creative with your meals, making the cooking process more enjoyable and saving time in your kitchen area standing over your stovetop.
This Week’s Produce Highlights
Avocado
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Tomatoes
Mango
There are four components to inspire your creativity in the bowl method.
Establish A Base
Spruce It Up
Include A Special Touch
Polish With Perfection
To assemble your bowl, follow these steps:
1. Establish A Base
Start with a base such as wild rice, fonio, legumes, farro, soba noodles, or polenta. Alternatively, for a grain-free option, medley roasted vegetables, animal or plant protein, tofu, or leafy greens like arugula, romaine lettuce, or spring mix. Usually, I pick one main ingredient for the base.
2. Spruce It Up
Add variety with a medley of roasted vegetables, animal protein, falafel, sautéed broccoli, steamed spinach, boiled cassava, stewed cabbage, sweet potato, or beans. Typically, I select one or two additional ingredients to add variety. At this point, if short on time, the meal is still delicious and effortless. I often finish it with a drizzle of olive oil, a hint of lemon juice, or a flavorful sauce.
3. Include A Special Touch
If more time is available, enhance the bowl with a special touch, such as sprouts, goat cheese, labneh, or pickled vegetables.
4. Polish With Perfection
Finally, complete the bowl with a fresh taste of herbs like dill, parsley, or coriander and a generous drizzle of sesame or olive oil.
This routine, which includes batch cooking, food ingredient prep, and arranging food in and out of bowls, is designed to streamline your cooking process and take the psychic load off the week of how and what to cook daily. It is also a practical health tool for fixing your food environment, outsmarting your cravings, and returning to your body.
The Bowl Method by Selena Ayala
