Spanish Style Nourish Bowl with Amazing Vegan Cheese Sauce
This quick-to-make nourish bowl is packed full of raw and cooked veggies, and plant-based protein and it's drizzled with our homemade vegan "cheese" sauce. It makes for a simple weeknight dinner and will satisfy your cravings for comfort food.
Soak rice and lentils for at least 30 minutes (preferably 8 hours or overnight). (see notes)
Drain and rinse the rice and lentils and add them to a medium pot on high heat with 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer, with the lid partially covered. Cooked until all water absorbed and al dente, about 30 min. Note: if the rice and lentils have cooked and are al dente but some liquid remains, simply drain the liquid and let sit on low heat without a lid to allow the excess moisture to evaporate.
While rice and lentils are cooking prepare your sauté veggies. Add coconut oil and onions to a medium pan and sauté on high heat for 2 minutes, stirring and adding 1 Tbsp water as needed to prevent burning. Add peppers, smoked paprika and salt and continue to stir (and add water as needed) for another 4 minutes. Add spiralized zucchini and spinach gently mix it all together and continue to cook for only 1 more minute then remove from heat.
Prepare your Amazing Vegan Cheese Sauce(recipe below)
Amazing Vegan Cheese Sauce Method:
Generous pinch of black pepper Method Drain and rinse the sunflower seeds then add them to a high-speed blender along with the remaining ingredients. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, adding additional water as needed. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Will last about 2 or 3 days.
How To Assemble The Bowl
Divide the fresh arugula, cilantro, tomatoes, avocado and sprouts among the bowls. Top each with 1/2-1 cup cooked rice and lentils and a generous amount of sautéed veggies
Drizzle with vegan cheese sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Soaking brown rice helps to quicken cooking time, and soaking lentils is beneficial for many reasons. Use organic ingredients whenever possible.