Vegetarian Mediterranean Bowl with Roasted Vegetables and Creamy Tahini Sauce
This vibrant and nourishing Classic Vegetarian Mediterranean Bowl is a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients and bold flavors. Featuring perfectly roasted vegetables, protein-packed chickpeas, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese, all served over a base of brown rice, this dish is topped with a luscious tahini sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, it’s an easy way to enjoy the essence of Mediterranean cuisine in every bite.
Ingredients
For brushing the vegetables:
- ½ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Greek oregano
- Generous pinch of sea salt
- Freshly groundblack pepper to taste
- 1 large red bell pepper deseeded and sliced into strips
- 1 medium eggplant sliced into ovals
- 1 medium zucchini sliced into ovals
- 1 cup cooked rinsed and drained (canned chickpeas are fine)
- 1 cup cherry or teardrop tomatoes halved
- ½ cup crumbled Greek feta
- 2/3 cup brown rice cooked according to package directions
For the Tahini Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 –3 tablespoons water to thin the sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or mint chopped
Instructions
Make the Marinade:
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Whisk together the olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper.
Cook the Vegetables:
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Heat the grill pan and brush it lightly with olive oil. Place the vegetables on the grill pan over medium heat, brush the top side with the olive oil mixture and sear until lined with grill marks and softened. Flip to do the same on the other side, brushing that side with the olive oil mixture, too.
Cook the rice:
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Cook your rice according to package instructions. Fluff it with a fork once done and set aside.
Make the Tahini Sauce:
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In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water until you reach your desired consistency (it should be creamy but pourable). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the Bowl:
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Start with your cooked brown rice as the foundation of the bowl.
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Add roasted red peppers, grilled eggplant slices, zucchini rounds, cooked chickpeas, and fresh cherry tomatoes on top, snugly next to each other so the bowl is organized and colorful.
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Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the bowl or in one spot..
Garnish and Serve:
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Drizzle generously with tahini sauce and garnish with fresh parsley or mint.
