Winter Vegetable Rice Bowl

For her birthday meal last week, my daughter wanted rice bowls!

“Great,” I thought, “this is a lot easier to make than the General Tao chicken she always wanted when she was little!”

Armed with my new favorite tool, my mandolin, I set about preparing rice bowls for her with vegetables we lovingly grow at Tourne-Sol Farm! I made small julienne strips of raw carrots and daikon. I also roasted cubes of butternut squash and parsnips in the oven.

By adding tofu sautéed in tamari, chopped nori seaweed and sunflower shoots bought at the Saturday market, we had lovely rice bowls, ready in no time! This gave me time to also make him a melted chocolate beet cake 😃!

If I had some on hand, I could also have used other winter root vegetables like beets, kohlrabi, or turnips to garnish our rice bowls.

Delicious in summer too!

Rice bowls are one of our favorite summer recipes too! Especially since local vegetables are plentiful in the summer and perfect for adding a fresh and colorful touch to your rice bowls. Here are a few suggestions:

Summer vegetables to add:

1. Cucumbers : Crisp and refreshing, perfect in thin slices or julienne.

2. Cherry Tomatoes : Sweet and juicy, halved for a burst of flavor.

3. Peppers : Red, yellow or green, in thin strips for a slightly sweet taste.

4. Zucchini : Raw or lightly sautéed, they add a tender texture.

5. Green beans : Crispy, blanched quickly to preserve their color and crunch.

6. Radish : Thinly sliced ​​or julienned for a tangy taste.

7. Corn on the Cob : Grilled and cut into kernels for a sweet, smoky flavor.

8. Peas : Mild and sweet, added raw or blanched.

9. Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint will also really enhance the flavor.

More ideas for your local rice bowls!

1. Cooking variations for root vegetables

• Oven Roasted : Root vegetables like carrots, beets, or parsnips take on an incredible caramelized flavor when roasted with a drizzle of sunflower oil, salt, and spices like smoked paprika or cumin.

• Pickled : Vegetables like turnips or daikon can be quickly pickled with rice vinegar, a pinch of sugar, and salt to add a tangy touch.

• Raw Grated : For a crunchy texture and more natural flavor, some root vegetables (such as carrots or kohlrabi) can be served raw.

2. Proteins to add

To complement your rice bowls and make them a balanced meal:

• Beluga lentils : Easy to cook, they pair well with the flavors of root vegetables.

• Roasted Chickpeas : Crunchy and flavorful with a little paprika or curry.

• Poached or soft-boiled egg : A comforting option for cold days.

• Tempeh or tofu : Marinated and sautéed, they add a great source of plant-based protein.

3. Comforting winter seasonings

Give your rice bowls a unique character with seasonally appropriate sauces or spices:

• Miso sauce : White or red miso mixed with a little rice vinegar, honey, or maple syrup.

• Lemon Tahini : A creamy sauce made with tahini, lemon juice and pressed garlic.

• Warm spices : Cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warming touch.

• Dried herbs : Thyme, rosemary, or oregano for an earthier flavor.

4. Additional Textures

Add ingredients that contrast with the sweetness of root vegetables to make the bowls even more interesting:

• Roasted nuts : Walnuts, flaked almonds or sunflower seeds for a pleasant crunch.

• Seaweed Crisps : Lightly salted seaweed crisps.

• Sesame seeds : For a subtle touch of hazelnut.

5. Visual presentation

In winter, when colors can be lacking, focus on presentation to make your bowls appetizing:

• Arrange the vegetables in small groups around the rice for a “winter rainbow” effect.

• Add a finishing touch with fresh microgreens.

6. Zero waste ideas

• Use the tops : Carrot, beet, or radish tops can be made into homemade pesto in the summer. This pesto can be used in your sauces or while roasting vegetables for your rice bowls.

• Homemade Broths : Clean peelings from root vegetables can be used to make a comforting broth.

I hope you enjoy these ideas for your rice bowls in a thousand and one different ways, whatever the season!

To grow root vegetables that will work wonders in your rice bowls, check out our “ Winter Vegetable Supply ” collection, which features our best seeds to grow your storage vegetables.

Finally, if you're looking for a source for the freshest vegetables in the West Island of Montreal and Vaudreuil-Soulanges, you should look into our organic basket program with our 4 new delivery points in Vaudreuil-Soulanges!

At Tourne-Sol Farm, we are here to help you, from seed to table!

Have a good week!

Frederic