| Prep: 50 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 373 | 8.4g | 1g | 68g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 7g | 7g | 0.81g |
From the comfort of my childhood kitchen, adorned with the aromas of simmering spaghetti and sizzling meatballs, to the serenity of my hiking trails, I’ve always been driven by a sense of exploration and an appetite for discovering new culinary landscapes. This quest of mine has led me to craft a vibrant and modern dish loaded with health benefits, the Beet and Sesame Poke Bowl Recipe.
A Bowlful of Goodness
The Beet and Sesame Poke Bowl Recipe isn’t just a delicious meal inspired by traditional Hawaiian poke dishes; it’s an adventure packed in a bowl. The vibrant roots used in this recipe, beets, offer a hearty, nutritious kick. Known for their multitude of health benefits, they are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals such as manganese, which supports bone health, and potassium, aiding in blood pressure regulation.
Embracing Freshness
Apart from the beets, the rest of the ingredients maintain the sanctity of fresh produce too. The juicy chunks of fresh pineapple or mango, the refreshing crunch of cucumber, the soft creaminess of avocado, and if you prefer, a tangy seaweed salad, all unite to deliver a refreshing, healthy delight. The final punch of toasted sesame seeds and sesame oil drizzle not only intensifies the dish’s flavors but also provides a nutritious boost of healthy fats and antioxidants.
This recipe takes me back to summer family gatherings around the pool, where we often served noodle salads and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. The Beet and Sesame Poke Bowl Recipe is a beautiful mesh of the health-conscious eating that I am fond of nowadays and the hearty, comforting flavors I’ve grown up with. It’s the kind of dish that’s good for the soul and the body and works well served alongside grilled tofu or a simple miso soup for a wholesome meal.
As a grandfather, the kitchen is my stage to pass on wisdom, values, and most importantly, delicious food. And recipes like this one are not merely ways to fill plates but, more significantly, are narratives of tradition and evolution, served bowl-by-bowl with love.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 cups of sushi rice
- 3 cups of water
- 6 small beets
- 1/4 cup of rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1.5 tablespoons of sesame oil
- 2 cups of diced fresh fruit (like pineapple or mango)
- 1/2 cup of diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup of chopped green onions
- 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1.5 teaspoons of toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup of seaweed salad (optional)
- 6 slices of avocado
- Sriracha sauce, to taste (optional)
Method
Step One
Start by washing the sushi rice until the water runs clear, then add 1.5 cups of sushi rice into a medium saucepan along with 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil over high heat then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for around 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed.
Step Two
While the rice is cooking, clean and boil the beets till they are tender enough to pierce with a fork. Drain and let the beets cool, then peel and dice them.
Step Three
In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Pour this mixture over the cooked and still warm sushi rice, gently stirring it throughout.
Step Four
Heat 1.5 tablespoons of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced beets and stir fry them for 2-3 minutes. Remove the beets and let them cool before using them in the bowl.
Step Five
Prepare your additional ingredients. Dice your fresh fruit (pineapple or mango), cucumber, and chop your green onions. Optionally, you can prepare 1/2 cup of seaweed salad.
Step Six
Now it’s time to assemble your poke bowls. Divide the seasoned sushi rice among the bowls, then top with the diced beets, fresh fruit, cucumber, green onions, and optional seaweed salad. Pour 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce over each bowl.
Step Seven
Garnish your beet poke bowls with 1.5 teaspoons of toasted sesame seeds and a couple slices of avocado. For a spicy kick, add Sriracha sauce to taste. Enjoy your homemade beet and sesame poke bowl!
