Ginger Free Mediterranean Buddha Bowl
This bowl is a full-on celebration of fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and golden roasted chickpeas piled over fluffy quinoa — the kind of meal that looks like it took serious effort but comes together in under an hour. The lemon-tahini dressing is the real star here, built from tahini, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic into something silky, bright, and deeply satisfying. Many store-bought dressings and spice blends sneak in ginger as a background note, so making everything from scratch the way this recipe does keeps things clean and completely worry-free. The chickpeas get patted dry and roasted at high heat with cumin, smoked paprika, and turmeric until they're crispy at the edges and almost addictive straight off the pan. Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion round out the bowl with briny, juicy, and crunchy contrast in every bite. A scatter of pumpkin seeds on top adds a subtle nuttiness that ties the whole thing together beautifully. It's the kind of recipe you'll find yourself making on repeat, whether you're cooking for a crowd or just treating yourself to something genuinely nourishing.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the roasted chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp salt
For the lemon-tahini dressing
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- 2–3 tbsp water, to thin
- ¼ tsp salt
For the bowls
- 1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted
- 2 avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Combine the rinsed quinoa, 2 cups water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the quinoa tails have unfurled, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- 2
While the quinoa cooks, spread the drained chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel and pat thoroughly dry — the drier they are, the crispier they will roast. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, and toss with the cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly coated.
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