Recipe: Buddha Bowl

This is a truly quick and easy vegan recipe which is unbelievably tasty and nutritions. Why is it called Buddha Bowl? I have no idea as it is my own adaptation of Happy Buddha Bowl served by Kindfood in Burlington, ON so hence the name.

Ingredients (2 servings)

I had a really easy time with this recipe as everything was found either in the fridge or in the cupboard:

• Organic brown and wild rice - 1 cup
• Sweet potato - 1 medium potato
• Diced red onion - 1/4 medium red onion
• Diced tomato - 1 large heirloom tomato (yum! yum!)
• Sliced avocado - 1/2 avocado
• Fresh cilantro, rosemary and basil
• Olive Oil
• Soy Sauce
• Raw Almonds
• Sunflower seeds
• Italian herbs

Preparation

I am a happy owner of a rice cooker so it was taken care of. While the rice is being cooked, peel and slice sweet potato, put on a baking paper, sprinkle with olive oil, fresh rosemary and Italian herbs, and bake for about 20 minutes on 200C (~400F).

In the meanwhile, dice and slice red onion, tomato, cilantro and basil.

When the rice is ready, top it up with the diced veggies, baked sweet potato and sliced avocado. Then sprinkle with soy sauce, olive oil, sunflower seeds and almonds.

Hmm... that is it.

Word's Largets or Something Else?

I am about to renew a domain name I have, and looking for alternatives. So far, I have found GoDaddy.com as the best option.

Ali Express (by Alibaba.com)

So you walk into Walmart, Target or Superstore, find a product you like, turn it round and see Made in Chine. Unsurprizing really... But how about buying directly from Chinese suppliers?

Bistro 1847! Oh, you will be jealous!

I have found a vegetarian/vegan restaurant here in Manchester. Bistro 1847 - a hidden gem! Located not far from China Town, it has a good selection of vegetarian, vegan and Gluten free options, and of course everything is made of fresh, organic, locally sourced and non-genetically modified ingredients cooked to order. Did I miss any other trendy buzz words of a model health conscious sociopath? LOL!

For a starter I had Whole baked Blacksticks Whitehaven with crudités & breads...

...and as a main, I had beer battered halloumi, hand-cut chips & minted mushy peas (but instead of peas I have opted out for steamed greens).

Brewmaster Beer Kit!

I definitely would like to try this...

-17C, The "Cool Cat" Walk and Ethiopian Cuisine in Toronto

While the thermometer indicated -17C outside, we have decided to go for a Cool Cat's stroll in Toronto. Although the name and the description on the toronto.com website suggest a very "sexy" evening out, in the nutshell it is a stroll down the Queen St. ("it" street in Toronto) from somewhere around University Ave. down to Roncesvalles Ave. Don't get me wrong, it is a very nice stroll with many contemporary (not your everyday "mom and paps" places) eateries and shop,  and Toronto at night has its own charm.

After a while, we stabled upon Addis Ababa restaurant specializing in Ethiopian cuisine. We were cold, hungry and never tried Ethiopian cuisine before, so we went in, into the sound of live jazz music and smell of Ethiopian coffee. The menu is quit simple with equal selection of vegetarian and meat dishes, the decor included portraits of generals, woman making bread in clay ovens, giraffes and other animals, with soothing soft  (live) jazz music in the background. The food itself is served in a traditional flat Ethiopian bread, not too spicy (not too blunt either) and very tasty. We tried Yeson Beye Ainetu, a selection (sample) of all vegetarian dishes, and finished with traditional Ethiopian coffee and fried banana. And the coolest thing about the place is that everything is eaten with your hands...

Till the next time.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year