I’ve always been a voracious reader, though, I’ve got a few friends who have me beat. They read so many books a month that it puts my book pile to shame. But it’s good because they always have so many interesting books to recommend. The book I’m reading right now, which was recommended to me by my not-so-much-of-a-reader husband, is about the Columbine high school massacre. Uh, not exactly a light read and it’s quite disturbing, but man is it ever gripping. The cover of the book is stark and gorgeous (good stories are most important but good cover design is a thing of beauty) but the insides are quite dark. Anyway, I think I could use a lighter read next go around. If you’ve got any suggestions, leave me a comment!
And now onto food! Filling, happy and wonderful food. Like this glorious bowl which comes from Whitewater Cooks
The orignal recipe called for spinach and grated beets and carrots, but I went crazy with my bowl ingredients. Fresh dill and cucumbers! Red peppers and purple cabbage! Red quinoa instead of brown rice! It just goes to show you how simple it is to make this bowl completely yours.
But let’s talk about the dressing a bit more. While the rest of the bowl looks lively and bright, the dressing is brown and creamy. It doesn’t look like much. In fact, I keep it in an old peanut butter jar and I accidentally reached for it the other day instead of grabbing my jar of Adam’s peanut butter. Luckily, I realized the difference before it made its way onto my morning toast. But it’s sooo good and it makes a lot.
So make this part of a summer gathering with tons of different topping ingredients where everyone can customize their own bowl. And if you still have dressing leftover, it’s great to use on green salads or as a vegetable dip.
elsewhere: Need another super simple ice cream fix? Then jump over to Poppytalk for some super easy but also very tasty recipe for vanilla ice cream. Hello summer!!
glorious bowl dressing
(adapted from Whitewater Cooks
1/2 c nutritional yeast flakes
1/3 c reduced sodium soy sauce
1/3 c apple cider vinegar
1/3 c water
2 T tahini
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 c canola oilUsing a blender or an immersion blender, combine everything but the oil. Add the oil in a slow stream until combined. Store in a lidded jar and refrigerate. Should last a week or two in the fridge.
glorious bowl
cooked brown rice or quinoa (or another favorite grain)
baked tofu, diced
arugula
diced cucumbers
shredded purple cabbage
julienned carrots
diced red peppers
diced green onions
fresh dill, chopped
toasted whole almondsLayer a bowl with ingredients, grains first and then pour over with dressing. The dressing makes a lot, so use it over salads or as a dip throughout the week.
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I’ve just started reading Murakami’s 1Q84 and I’m totally absorbed – about 200 pages in and I already want to recommend it to everyone, everywhere.
Bowl looks delicious!
What is the name of the Columbine high school massacre book you are reading?
I think I must try this dressing!
Your recipe looks sooooo yummy! I can’t wait to try it! I bought some beets at the farmers’ market and I am going to add those too.
As far as a book recommendation: If you need a laugh-out-loud book, check out “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris. I just finished, and LOVED “Just Kids” by Patti Smith – I can’t say it’s exactly light reading, but it’s fluffy compared to a book about Columbine, and it’s a beautiful story about love and friendship that I couldn’t put down. Have you ever read “A Confederacy of Dunces”? You will never find another narrator like Ignatius J. Reilly!
Lovely salad, and the dressing sounds yummy too. Reading suggestions: “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett. This one is my book club’s summer assignment and I liked it. Now I’m on to Hilary Mantel’s latest “Bring Up the Bodies”, which is a sequel to her 2009 Man Booker prize winner “Wolf Hall”. These are good if you like historical fiction; all the adventure and gore of Henry VIII told through the character of Thomas Cromwell.
I read a book a week and my three favorites this spring: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (light read but SO GOOD, and no, its not chick lit, although the cover looks it), Never Let Me Go (oh my, and then I watched the movie and sobbed, love his writing), Atonement (also beautiful writing). I love to talk books, so email me anytime.
Also heard great things about The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.
I haven’t read much in a while so I look forward to hearing peoples suggestions! I was really hoping there was tahini in that dressing…delicious!
Looks glorious! I wish I had some “light” books to recommend, but everything I’ve been reading lately has been way too heavy! I look forward to hearing others’ suggestions too!
I made the dressing shortly after I read this last night. I’ve been looking for another way to use my engevita yeast besides on popcorn (I’m guessing it’s the same as nutritional yeast.) It was awesome! I actually think it might have improved overnight and I can’t wait to have it on quinoa and veggies for lunch. This is a real keeper.
Love this cookbook! I think that there’s a 2nd book out as well. I grew up Skiing Whitewater and heading into the lodge for a yummy Glorious Bowl or my ever favourite Ymir Bowl was, and always will be, a fond memory! But, ahem, Whitewater isn’t in the Rockies! It’s in the Kootneys!
What a delicious and satisfying-looking salad! I love everything about it.
I LOVE reading, too, and wish I had more time for it. I read 12 books on my honeymoon vacation and it was heaven!
Great summer meal…
I’m wondering if that was Jodi Picoult’s book you are reading. She’s got some heavy ones. It was too much for me but I did like her Saving Grace and would recommend for something with some weight but not so heavy.
And ‘Let’s Pretend this Never Happened’ is another non fiction fun read like David Sedaris.
Love the sound of this. My kids are very ‘earthy’ types living in Olympia, and my son is always telling me about Nutritional Yeast… I really laughed when I figured out it was the Brewer’s Yeast my Mom fed me in my childhood. I’ve been resisting adding it back to my diet, but this dressing speaks to me. I WILL try it….
I’ve been big on earthy, yummy, Vegan friendly salads myself these days, I think I am becoming my Mom!
Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series is whip-smart funny and delightfully clever, silly enough for a summer read but not intellectually fluffy.
The Eyre Affair is the first book; Google it if you need further encouragement but I can’t reveal too much of the plot without denying you some of the pleasure of the read.
Also, I have all of these ingredients in my fridge and a sweltering long weekend coming up.. bookmarked!
Looks like a great salad for lunch! Currently, I’m reading “Vancouver Noir 1930-1960” its a look at the seedier side of Vancouver. like your Columbine book, it also has its moments ..one chapter is about murder! With the accompanying photos.
So far it’s a really interesting read.
I had to try this dressing as soon as I saw your post. So, so good! I didn’t have any soy sauce in the pantry, so I used ponzu. We ate it on everything this week–it was great with a little pasta, fresh tomatoes, and fresh corn.
Emma, thanks for the recommendation. It’s on my to-read list now 🙂
Lisa, the book is a work on non-fiction called Columbine by David Cullen. It’s so good.
Sharmin, I’ve read the other books you’ve mentioned, but not A Confederacy of Dunces. To go on the list!! Thank you.
Donna, thanks for your list. I love Anne Patchett, but haven’t read that one.
Liz, I loved the Lemon Cake book (so good!) and I’ll add the others to my list. Thank you!
Lydia, yes, they are the same thing. Glad you liked the dressing!
Reale, yes, you’re right! Thanks 🙂
Wendy, no the book was by David Cullen (non-fiction and really good). Thanks for your recs!!
Piper, no, brewer’s yeast and nutritional yeast are very different. I think you’d get quite a different dressing. Seek out nutritional yeast instead as this makes a great dressing!
Meagan, thanks for the suggestions!!
Yay, thanks for the book rec, hag! I’ll check it out as I’m curious about local history.
Megan, so glad you enjoyed it!
SO GOOD! Made with: brown rice, steamed kale, sauteed mushrooms + peppers, carrots, green onion, avocado, dill, chickpeas, sliced beets and toasted almonds. The bowls were a big hit!
Roz, so glad you enjoyed this! I love how much you can play around with the vegetables – yum!
my friend recently told me about this salad and i’ve been meaning to make it! your modifications sound delicious. i loooove dill.
I love almonds and crunchy salads! That dressing sounds ridiculously delicious too! sorry, I haven’t read any books this summer but I will check out what others have suggested to you in case I see something compelling 🙂
Ashley, go make this! I know you’ll love it 🙂
Joanne, this is a great salad and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. And yes, looks like there are some good reads here!