Black-Eyed Pea Buddha Bowl (Print Version)

Vibrant bowl with black-eyed peas, roasted vegetables, quinoa, and creamy tahini dressing for a satisfying plant-based meal.

# Components:

→ Grain Base

01 - 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

04 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Black-Eyed Peas

11 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Fresh Ingredients

14 - 2 cups baby spinach or kale
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

→ Tahini Dressing

17 - 1/4 cup tahini
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
19 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
20 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
21 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
22 - Salt to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, red onion, and zucchini with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and golden brown.
03 - Rinse quinoa under cold running water. Combine quinoa, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small skillet over medium heat, warm black-eyed peas with ground cumin and garlic powder for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through.
05 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, water, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Add additional water as needed to reach desired consistency.
06 - Divide cooked quinoa evenly between four bowls. Top each with roasted vegetables, warmed black-eyed peas, and fresh spinach or kale.
07 - Drizzle each bowl with tahini dressing. Garnish with avocado slices and chopped fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 50 minutes flat, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something that feels special and homemade.
  • One bowl covers all your bases—protein, healthy fats, greens, and complex carbs—so you're genuinely satisfied, not just full.
  • The tahini dressing tastes so luxurious that everyone assumes you labored over it, when really it's just five ingredients whisked together.
02 -
  • If your tahini dressing seizes up and becomes thick or grainy, whisk in water one tablespoon at a time—this usually happens when the tahini or lemon juice is too cold.
  • Don't assemble the bowls too far ahead; the warm grain and dressing will soften the greens and avocado if left sitting, which changes the textural balance entirely.
03 -
  • Make your tahini dressing the day before—it actually improves as the flavors meld, and you'll thank yourself on busy evenings.
  • If you have a food processor, pulse your herbs with a drizzle of olive oil before garnishing; it distributes them more evenly and looks more intentional.
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