These brown rice bowls are packed with all that’s good for you! With a rainbow of delicious roasted vegetables, crispy roasted chickpeas, hearty brown rice, creamy avocado and fresh cilantro all topped off with a drizzle of barbecue sauce, this dish is everything you need in a meal all served up in a single bowl!
1can (15 ounces, or 425 g)chickpeasdrained and rinsed
1headbroccolichopped into bite-size florets
2red bell peppersseeded and sliced (or color of your choice)
1red onionhalved and sliced
2tablespoons (28 ml)olive oil
¼teaspoonsaltor to taste
¼teaspoonblack pepperor to taste
2cups (390 g)cooked brown rice
1avocadopeel and pit removed, diced
¼cup (4 g)cilantrochopped
1cup (235 ml)Sweet-and-Spicy BBQ Sauce (below) or store-bought BBQ sauce
For the sweet-and-spicy BBQ sauce (optional)
6ounces (170 g)tomato paste
¼cup (60 ml)apple cider vinegar
¼cup (60 ml)balsamic vinegar
3tablespoons (60 g)pure maple syrup
1 - 2chipotle peppers in adobo
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
1teaspoonground mustard
½teaspoononion powder
¼teaspoongarlic powder
½teaspoonsaltor to taste
½cup (120 ml) water to thin, or more as needed
Instructions
For the BBQ chickpea veggie bowls
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C, or gas mark 5). Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Spread out the chickpeas, broccoli, bell peppers, and onion on the baking sheets. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread them out in one even layer. Roast for 20 minutes, mix the veggies, and swap the pans in the oven so the one on top is now on the bottom. Roast for another 10 to 15 minutes until the veggies are starting to char and the chickpeas are crispy (they will continue to crisp up as they sit).
Add ½ cup (98 g) of cooked rice to each of 4 bowls. Divvy up the roasted vegetables, diced avocado, and cilantro equally among the bowls. Drizzle with the BBQ sauce.
For the sweet-and-spicy BBQ sauce (optional)
Place all the ingredients into a blender; use 2 chipotle peppers if you like it spicier. Purée until smooth.
Transfer sauce to a pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until thick, or until the desired consistency is reached.