Save A vibrant spread of customizable boards and bowls, perfect for social gatherings. Guests mix and match fresh ingredients to create their own personalized meals, fun, engaging, and sure to please every palate.
Interactive boards and bowls became our go-to meal at family parties when everyone wanted something different. It made hosting easy and kept conversation lively as guests built their own creations at the table.
Ingredients
- Grilled chicken breast: 400 g, sliced
- Marinated tofu: 400 g, grilled or baked, cubed
- Cooked shrimp: 400 g, peeled and deveined
- Falafel balls: 350 g, store-bought or homemade
- Jasmine rice: 4 cups, cooked
- Quinoa: 4 cups, cooked
- Romaine lettuce: 2 large heads, chopped
- Cherry tomatoes: 2 cups, halved
- Cucumber: 1, sliced
- Red bell pepper: 1, sliced
- Shredded carrots: 1 cup
- Cooked edamame: 1 cup
- Roasted sweet potato cubes: 1 cup
- Feta cheese: 1 cup, crumbled (or vegan alternative)
- Sliced olives: 1/2 cup
- Pickled red onions: 1/2 cup
- Toasted nuts or seeds: 1/2 cup (almonds, pumpkin seeds)
- Hummus: 1/2 cup
- Tzatziki: 1/2 cup
- Sriracha mayo or spicy yogurt sauce: 1/2 cup
- Fresh herbs: 1/4 cup, chopped (parsley, cilantro, mint)
- Lemon-tahini dressing: as needed
- Olive oil & balsamic vinegar: as needed
- Soy-ginger vinaigrette: as needed
Instructions
- Prepare Proteins:
- Cook and grill, bake, or sauté chicken, tofu, shrimp, and falafel as preferred. Keep warm or at room temperature.
- Prepare Grains & Bases:
- Cook jasmine rice and quinoa according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and arrange rice, quinoa, and chopped lettuce in separate bowls.
- Prep Vegetables:
- Wash and chop all vegetables. Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, carrots, edamame, and sweet potato cubes in bowls or on a platter.
- Arrange Toppings & Sauces:
- Place feta cheese, olives, pickled onions, nuts/seeds, hummus, tzatziki, sriracha mayo, and herbs in small bowls.
- Set Up Serving Area:
- Group proteins, grains, vegetables, toppings, and sauces on a large table or counter for easy access. Provide serving utensils for each.
- Invite Guests:
- Encourage guests to build their own bowl or plate starting with a base, adding proteins, veggies, toppings, then finishing with dressings and herbs.
Save One holiday, my cousin loved that her kids could enjoy the falafel and sweet potatoes while other guests piled shrimp and chicken on their bowls. It brought everyone together without stressing over special diets.
Required Tools
Large serving platters and bowls, serving utensils, small bowls for sauces and toppings, tongs, and spoons.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (feta, tzatziki), eggs (mayonnaise), soy (tofu, edamame, soy sauce), nuts/seeds (toppings), crustacean shellfish (shrimp), and possible gluten in falafel and sauces.
Nutritional Information
Per serving, estimated for a typical bowl: Calories 420, Total Fat 14 g, Carbohydrates 48 g, Protein 22 g.
Save Let your guests personalize every bite, and enjoy a memorable meal together every time.
Common Questions
- → What proteins can be offered for bowls and boards?
Choose from grilled chicken, tofu, shrimp, falafel, or add chickpeas and tempeh for plant-based options.
- → How should grains and greens be prepared?
Cook jasmine rice and quinoa until fluffy; chop romaine lettuce for a crisp base for meals.
- → Which toppings add variety and flavor?
Crumble feta, slice olives, add pickled onions, toasted seeds, fresh herbs, and assorted sauces for extra taste.
- → How are dietary preferences accommodated?
Offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free components; check labels and omit items as needed for guests.
- → What is the best way to serve these meals?
Arrange all ingredients in separate bowls or platters, provide utensils, and let guests personalise their plates or bowls.
- → Which sauces pair well with these boards and bowls?
Lemon-tahini, olive oil & balsamic, soy-ginger vinaigrette, and spicy yogurt sauces complement the flavors.