Peanut Chickpea Rice Bowl (Printable Version)

Hearty brown rice bowl with chickpeas, peanuts, and colorful vegetables in zesty peanut dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup brown rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Legumes & Nuts

04 - 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
05 - 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 cup shredded carrot
07 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
08 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
09 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
10 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

→ Peanut Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
12 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
17 - 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
18 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
19 - Pinch of chili flakes

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse brown rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - While rice cooks, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Add warm water gradually until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
03 - Shred the carrot and cabbage, thinly slice cucumber and scallions, and roughly chop cilantro.
04 - Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Top each with chickpeas, peanuts, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, and scallions.
05 - Drizzle generously with the peanut dressing. Garnish with cilantro and extra peanuts if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for a refreshing cold bowl.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The peanut dressing is addictive enough that you'll find yourself making extra just to drizzle on other things throughout the week.
  • It actually tastes better when made ahead, so Sunday meal prep becomes something you're genuinely excited about instead of a chore.
  • High protein and filling without any of that heavy, sluggish feeling that comes from heavier meals.
02 -
  • If your dressing breaks or separates, don't panic; a splash more warm water and a quick whisk will bring it back together every single time.
  • The rice should cool to room temperature before dressing, or the warmth will thin the dressing too much and it'll slip right off everything.
03 -
  • Toast your peanuts lightly in a dry pan just before assembly if you have the three minutes; it wakes up their flavor in a way that makes the whole bowl sing.
  • Make your dressing the night before and let the ginger and garlic infuse overnight, then thin it with warm water just before serving for a more developed, rounded flavor.
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