Spread, Veg, and Bread Bowl

If you’re looking for a super simple lunch idea, look no further than this spread, veg, and bread bowl! This simple and versatile combination of ingredients is more of a concept than a recipe and can help get a nutritious, delicious, and filling lunch on the table in a pinch.

This recipe is inspired by my sister; she’s the master at taking humble ingredients and turning them into a visually appealing and delicious meal. Whenever I visit her, I can count on this spread, veg, and bread meal concept showing up on the lunch table in some way, shape, or form.

Whether she’s using leftover ingredients from last night’s dinner or fresh produce she’s grabbed at the farmers’ market, she always finds a way to combine hummus, veggies, and good bread in a salad format that really hits the spot. And, the best part is, it creates a balanced meal full of fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.

What You’ll Need

While more of a concept than an actual recipe, here are the ingredients I used in my bowls:

Spread: The spread is really the star of these bowls, and you can use several different types of spread. Although hummus is my go-to choice, and any savory flavor of hummus will work well, bean dip, baba ganoush, lentil dip, ricotta, tzatziki, and labneh would all work very well.

Vegetables: The inclusion of veggies helps to boost the fiber content of the bowls and add micronutrients at the same time. You can use any combination of leafy green and fresh vegetables you have on hand. These bowls are incredibly versatile, and you can adapt them to use whatever seasonal produce is available by filling them with radishes and peas in the spring; carrots, cucumber, and tomatoes in the summer; and roasted squash and beets in the fall and winter.

Bread: The better the bread the better these bowls will taste. I recommend using sourdough bread, as it’s the most unprocessed form of bread, as well as the tastiest, however, any bread you enjoy will work.

Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper: To dress the vegetables and season the dish.

In addition to the essential spread, veg, and bread in these bowls, you can jazz them up with additional toppings and seasonings. Some of my personal favorites include:

Cheese: A sprinkle of cheese helps to add some healthy fats and a bit more protein. Feta cheese is my go-to option, as I like the way it crumbles and enjoy the salty contrast to the creamy hummus, but you can use any cheese you like. Goat cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, and halloumi would all work well.

Nuts or Seeds: Topping the bowls with some seeds, such as pumpkin or sunflower, or some chopped nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts, adds some texture and healthy fats.

Boiled Egg or Other Protein: While optional, including a jammy 8-minute boiled egg or two helps to boost the protein content of the bowls, as well as add some delicious flavor and texture. If you’re not a fan of eggs, you could also add an additional protein of your choice, such as grilled chicken, steak, tuna, or tofu.

More Healthy Bowl Recipes:

• Hummus Buddha Bowl
• Mediterranean Grain Bowls
• Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl

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