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Hearty doesn't always mean heavy- point in case when it comes to these Asian Salad Rice Bowls which are perfect for when you're craving something wholesome and satisfying. Be sure to click the image below to find your new favorite ready-to-serve-rice from the Village Harvest Origins Collection!
“Everything is simply taken one step at a time,” the saying goes, or “The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step,” and so forth. This isn’t to say that ‘literally’ everything is simple, but that perhaps there is a ‘veiled simplicity’ waiting to be discovered by those with the patience to look.
To that point, I wrote recently about a set of classes given by Chef Wolfgang Puck, and I wrote about his approach to cooking, and how he made the fundamentals of the kitchen seem so easy, even from his lofty culinary vantage point. This is topic of simplicity is one I’ve returned to time and time again, and as you might have guessed I’m returning to it again today.
To start off, we’ve spoken a lot about ‘what’ we eat, about putting together meals that are both healthy and delicious within the span of a tight ‘modern’ schedule, but in such themed recipes, what about the presentation?
That said, one of my favorite summer presentations is the simple ‘rice bowl.’ This dish ranges from mushy fast food served in paper cups to veritable works of art at finer establishments. Today, we’re going to try to lean more towards the latter, while still keeping the recipe within the realm of something ‘accessible,’ something delicious, fun, and ‘schedule friendly’ – but something that also ‘looks’ fantastic. After all, “We eat first with our eyes.”
First and foremost, we begin with the bowl itself, which we’re making the star of the show today. Yes, fancy tableware is always fine and good, but to add a big dose of color as well as a bit of extra crunch we’re instead ‘plating’ the rice in a piece of firm red cabbage.
Now, to start things off we’re going to begin by preparing two separate marinades, both using the same ingredients and prep method outlined below. One is for the chicken, the other as a dressing for the salad. No, you cannot use the marinade from the chicken for the salad – germs.
After that, we’re going to prepare the rice. For today’s recipe I’m using Village Harvest Thai Green Curry – Thailand rice, which is from the Village Harvest Origins Collection, a collection featuring authentic recipes from India and Thailand, “Uncovered in the kitchens of home cooks and perfected on your dinner table.” As a plus, the rice is organic and non-GMO, 100% whole grain and gluten-free. The Origins Collection also includes Basmati & Lentil - India, Lemon Rice - India, Tikka Masala - India, and Coconut Turmeric - Thailand, enough variety to ignite your appetite and discover the delicious side of dinner with Village Harvest Origins, a smart and simple meal solution you can bring to life in just seconds. Furthermore, the facilities use clean processing techniques that kettle cook all ingredients in small batches.
After the rice has been prepared, we thinly slice about two pounds of chicken breast as shown below. After slicing the chicken, place the chicken in a bowl and pour one of the marinades over the chicken. If time permits let the chicken sit in the marinade, in the fridge, for about thirty minutes. Now, heat a large cast iron frying pan, and set the chicken into the pan a few slices at a time, and cook them for about one to two minutes on each side – depending on the thickness of the slices. The chicken should be white on the inside, and juices run clear.
Once the chicken is finished, use the same the pan to give a gentle grilling to about two bunches of scallions, and once they are done lightly grill the shitake mushrooms as shown below, and set both aside for assembling the bowls.
Now to the fun part – assembling the bowls.
Begin by placing a firm piece of red cabbage inside of a medium to large soup bowl as shown below. This will keep the cabbage leaf intact and upright. Start out with about two scoops of rice, or until the cabbage leaf is about two-thirds of the way full. Then add in the carrot slices, as shown below, followed by the cucumbers, the bean sprouts, the shitake mushrooms, shredded cabbage, and the water chestnuts. Then top the bowl with the sliced grilled chicken, and very carefully lift the cabbage leaf from the bowl and plate with grilled scallions.
Drizzle with some of the dressing, and serve immediately, and you’re done – and just like that, you’ve got convenience without compromise.
PrintAsian Salad Rice Bowl
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 package of Village Harvest Thai Green Curry
- 1 - 2 lbs. of chicken breast - sliced thin
Marinade:
- 4 tbs. Teriyaki sauce
- 4 tbs. soy sauce
- 3 tbs. honey
- 2 tbs. Siracha hot sauce
- 3 cloves of garlic - chopped fine
- 3-inch piece of fresh ginger - chopped fine
- 2 tbs. sesame oil
- 2 tbs. sesame seeds
- *Make a second batch of the marinade as a dressing for the salad bowl. DO NOT USE THE MARINADE FROM THE CHICKEN!!
For the Salad Bowl:
- 2 bunches of fresh scallions - gently grilled
- Fresh carrots - sliced into matchsticks
- Shitake Mushrooms - gently grilled
- Cucumber - cut into matchsticks
- Bean Sprouts
- Water Chestnuts
- White cabbage - shredded
- Red cabbage - carefully opened into large leaves to use as bowls
Instructions
For the Rice:
- Prepare the rice as directed after the chicken is cooked.
For the Marinade and Chicken:
- Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl and mix.
- Place the thin sliced chicken breast in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken and seal. Let the chicken marinade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Heat a large cast-iron frying pan and place a few pieces of chicken in the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Cook 2-3 minutes on each side, depending on how thinly sliced the chicken is. The chicken should be white on the inside and the juices should run clear.
- When the chicken is finished grilling, using the same pan, gently grill the scallions to a light golden and set aside.
- In the same pan, gently grill the Shiitake mushrooms and set aside for the salad bowl.
- Tip: Make a second batch of the marinade as a dressing for the salad bowl.
To Build the salad bowl:
- Place the cabbage leaf inside a similarly sized bowl.
- Place about two scoops of rice at the bottom of the bowl.
- Place some carrots, cucumbers, bean sprouts, Shiitake mushrooms, shredded cabbage and water chestnuts around the perimeter of the bowl.
- Top the bowl with sliced grilled chicken. Gently, lift the filled cabbage leaf from the bowl and plate with the grilled scallions.
- Drizzle the fresh marinade over the bowl. Remember do not use the marinade from the chicken make a second batch!!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Enjoy with Love!
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Angie@Angie's Recipes says
That rice bowl looks super tasty! I have to try that marinade soon.
Sandra L Garth says
I'd like to thank Village Harvest as well in helping you share this beautiful bowl with us. Serving it in the red cabbage is truly creative. Brava!
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, These salad bowls are very attractive and I love Chinese food. My challenge is that I don't like scallions, mushrooms, big pieces of onion or bell peppers. Of necessity, I order very specifically when eating out. Making things at home is easier but it never quite matches up to what the pros produce! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Claudia says
I really have never had anything like this. Not only is it pretty but I love the flavors in this. I am sure to love it. Knowing you made it its has to be spectacular as it sure looks!
Veena Azmanov says
I am a huge fan of Asian food and often I have to make some just for me because the rest of the family is not into it. This sounds like my kinda food with scallions, mushrooms, and peppers. Looks so pretty.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
This looks like the perfect summer meal. Love all the flavours and textures. Great for lunch or dinner.
Pavani says
I love bowls like this. Packed with healthy ingredients and lots of flavor - these are so convenient and versatile. Your Thai rice bowl sounds absolutely delicious. Will look out for Village harvest rice now 🙂
Medeja says
Looks yummy and beautiful!
swathi says
This Rice bowl looks delicious love that you severed in red cabbage. I like this rice salad bowl is really flavorful with veggies, sauce and brown rice. I am going to give it try.
Calleigh K says
I can't wait to try this rice bowl using the red cabbage. Looks so tempting and delicious.
Marisa Franca says
What a great summer dish! I love the idea of having rice that is good for us already done. I can think of a lot of recipes I'd love to make with the rice. Will be checking my grocery store for it.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
That salad bowl looks so delicious and I really want that for my lunch. What a flavorful way to eat healthy and recipes like this proves that eating healthy need not be boring. The purple cabbage bowl is so brilliant.
Natalie says
Wow what an interesting idea. I absolutely love all the veggies you packed in this bowl and all the flavors. I'm definitely saving this for my lunchbox.
Vicky says
I love how you can enjoy the flavors of take out in a better-for-you way since it is made at home and uses Village Harvest. What a colorful table you'll have serving this!
Chris says
Wow! What a unique and creative way to serve rice! Gotta try it!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Helena says
Great spin on all those sayings. You have used pretty much all ingredients that I really like and the end result is just spectacular! Definitely something to save in the list of favorite recipes.
Pam says
This looks so good!! I love that you used a pretty purple cabbage leaf for the bowl! That marinade sounds incredible and I can imagine using it for all sorts of other recipes!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a fantastic and healthy way to serve the rice, I'll definitely be giving this delicious dish a try!
Camila Hurst says
What a great idea to use the cabbage leaf as a bowl! I love everything about this!