Blistered Green Bean Rice Bowl

This easy and tasty blistered green bean rice bowl with spicy chili crisp and saucy soft-boiled egg is the perfect meal for a hectic week.

The post Blistered Green Bean Rice Bowl appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This easy and tasty blistered green bean rice bowl with spicy chili crisp and saucy soft-boiled egg is the perfect meal for a hectic week. It comes together effortlessly in about thirty minutes and it’s an absolute breeze to meal prep. Plus the combination of blistered green beans and smoky chili crisp is so good, you’ll end up craving it!

What You’ll Need

The beauty of this blistered green bean rice bowl recipe is that you can substitute any ingredient with what you have on hand. You’re literally a half hour away from what’s sure to become one of your favorite weeknight meals!

  • Chili Crisp– this oil-based Chinese condiment is brimming with spicy and crunchy ingredients like fried garlic, scallions, Sichuan peppercorns, and chiles. A few teaspoons add texture and smoky heat, but more importantly, make the blandest ingredients lip-smackingly good. Substitute it with your favorite hot sauce.
  • Rice – Any kind of rice will do, just make sure to adjust the liquid ratio and cook time. You can substitute the rice with your favorite whole grain or cauliflower rice. Just follow the cooking directions on the package.
  • Green Beans – are a perfect vehicle for chili crisp and add texture and a wallop of nutrition. Substitute green beans with asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, or chickpeas. If you don’t mind losing out on texture, substitute the green beans with wilted kale, spinach, sliced peppers, or mushrooms.
  • Cooking Oil– Oil helps flavor green beans by blistering them quickly and creating char. Use your favorite cooking oil, but steer clear of olive oil and butter; you need a fat that can withstand high heat without burning. 
  • Eggs – Feel free to make the egg however you prefer but keep in mind that a soft-boiled egg’s yolk helps create a sauce. Check out our tutorial on How To Make Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs. If you want to hard-boil the egg or skip it altogether, add a little butter to the rice to prevent a dry bite.

How To Meal Prep Blistered Green Bean Rice Bowls

Blistered green bean rice bowls meal prep beautifully because there are just a few ingredients and only a handful of steps. This recipe is for two servings, so if you want to make enough for the week, double or triple it. Simply portion the rice in an airtight container, top it with green beans, add the egg, and then season with chili crisp.

How To Store Leftovers

You can refrigerate leftovers for up to two days in an airtight container. To reheat, sprinkle the rice with 1/4 teaspoon of water, and microwave it until steaming. Though the rice and green beans both freeze well, I don’t recommend freezing soft-boiled eggs.

How To Cook Rice

Cooking rice is ridiculously easy if you keep these 5 tips in mind:

Know the type of rice you’re cooking. The ratio of rice to liquid changes with the kind of rice you use, as does the time it cooks. The below ratios make for a toothier, looser grain. If you prefer softer rice, increase the liquid by a half cup.

  • Short Grain Rice: 1 cup rice  1 cup liquid – cook 18 minutes
  • Medium & Long Grain Rice: 1 cup rice – 1 1/3 cups liquid – cook 15 minutes
  • Brown rice: Boil it like pasta (in lots of water until al dente ) for 30 minutes, strain all of the water out, cover the pot, and let the rice rest in it for 10 minutes

Wash the rice. Cleaning the grains under cool running water until the water runs clear eliminates the starches that give you a gloppy result.

Bring the water to a boil before you add it to the rice. It keeps your timing on point.

Low and slow is the way. When the rice comes to a boil, lower the heat. Making rice at a boil makes the grains burst, leaving you with a starchy mess.

Keep it covered. Lifting the lid releases steam, increasing cooking time and ruining the texture. Once the rice is done, rest it for 10 minutes before uncovering it.

Blistered green bean rice bowl with a black fork in it.
Blistered green bean rice bowl.
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Blistered Green Bean Rice Bowl

This easy and tasty blistered green bean rice bowl with spicy chili crisp and saucy soft-boiled egg is the perfect meal for a hectic week.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Asian
Total Cost ($3.42 recipe / $1.71 serving)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 bowls
Calories 665kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cup water $0.00
  • 1 cup long grain rice, rinsed until the water runs clear $0.30
  • 2 Tbsp salted butter $0.30
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08
  • 8 oz fresh green beans, trimmed, rinsed, and dried $1.99
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.01
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper $0.01
  • 2 eggs $0.53
  • 2 tsp chili crisp $0.20

Instructions

  • In a small heavy-bottomed pot set over medium high heat, bring the water to a boil. Then add the rice and the butter.
  • Once the water returns to a boil and steam vents begin to appear on the surface of the rice, cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Do not uncover the rice as it simmers.
  • While the rice cooks, soft boil two eggs in a small pot. Bring an inch of water to a boil, add the eggs straight from the fridge, lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer the eggs for 6 minutes. Remove the eggs from the hot water and run them under cold water to stop them from cooking any further.
  • Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and then the green beans. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the green beans, give the beans a few good stirs, then let them brown on one side without moving, about 4 to 5 minutes. Once browned remove them from the heat, and set aside.
  • When the rice is done, take it off the heat and let it sit, covered, for ten additional minutes. Then uncover it and fluff it.
  • To serve, divide the rice between two bowls. Top each mound of rice with half the blistered green beans and half the chili crisp. Peel the eggs, slice them down the middle lengthwise, and garnish each bowl with an egg. Enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 665kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 30g | Sodium: 530mg | Fiber: 4g

How to Make Blistered Green Bean Rice Bowl- Step by Step Photos

In a small heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat, bring the 1 1/3 cups of water to a boil. Then add 1 cup of rice and 2 tablespoons of butter.

Once the water returns to a boil and steam vents begin to appear on the surface of the rice, cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for fifteen minutes. Do not uncover the rice as it simmers.

While the rice cooks, soft boil two eggs in a small pot. Bring an inch of water to a boil, add the eggs straight from the fridge, lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer the eggs for 6 minutes. Remove the eggs from the hot water and run them under cold water to stop them from cooking any further.

Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of oil and 8 ounces of green beans. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper over the green beans, give the beans a few good stirs, then let them brown on one side for about 4 to 5 minutes without moving them. Once browned, remove them from the heat, and set aside.

Overhead shot of rice in a pot.

When the rice is done, take it off the heat and let it sit, covered, for ten additional minutes. Then uncover it and fluff it.

To serve, divide the rice between two bowls. Top each mound of rice with half of the blistered green beans and chili crisp. Peel the eggs, slice them down the middle lengthwise, and garnish each bowl with an egg. Dig in!

More Easy Rice Bowls

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Everything Bagel Rice Bowl

This earthy, vibrant, Everything Bagel Rice Bowl is no fuss, no muss, and so ridiculously yummy you’ll go in for seconds.

The post Everything Bagel Rice Bowl appeared first on Budget Bytes.

It doesn’t matter how much you love to cook, sometimes you just don’t want to cook. I’ve been there, especially after a long day of testing recipes in the Budget Bytes kitchen. So on those days, I make this utterly satisfying, earthy, vibrant, Everything Bagel Rice Bowl. It’s no fuss, no muss, and so ridiculously yummy I made it every night for a week straight! 

Overhead shot of Everything Bagel Rice Bowl.

What Is Everything Bagel Seasoning?

Sometimes called Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, this is the spice mix you find on top of an Everything Bagel. It’s a punchy blend of onion flakes, garlic flakes, white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and flaky salt. It instantly adds deep flavors and a beautiful pop of texture to anything it touches. It became really popular when Trader Joe’s started selling their version.

What You’ll Need

  • Everything Bagel Seasoning – a few dashes of this magic and you have all the flavors you need to make your rice bowl sing.
  • Rice – because it’s not a rice bowl without it. Any kind of rice will do. You can also sub with cauliflower rice. Just follow the cooking directions on the package.
  • Spinach – is an easy and economical way to add greens. To lower the cost even more, use 6 ounces of frozen spinach. You can also use kale, swiss chard, or mustard greens.
  • Onions and Garlic– these aromatics flavor the spinach. If you don’t feel like chopping, leave them out or add one teaspoon of Everything Bagel Seasoning to the butter.
  • Butter – You need a flavorful fat to cook spinach and eggs in, but you can, of course, sub with olive oil, your favorite cooking oil, or (my fave) bacon or chicken drippings.
  • Eggs – “put an egg on it” is our ethos for a reason. Eggs cook in minutes and create a natural savory sauce. You don’t have to use an egg, but the rice will be dry without it.

How To Make Everything Bagel Seasoning

You can buy Everything Bagel Seasoning for a good price at most big-name supermarkets and get loads of uses out of it. But in case you can’t access it, here’s a quick recipe for about half a cup of seasoning:

  • 2 Tablespoons onion flakes
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic flakes
  • 2 Tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 2 Tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon sea flaky salt
  • 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
Side shot of Everything Bagel Rice Bowl

How To Cook Rice

If there’s one thing you need to know when making a rice bowl, it’s how to cook rice. Beth has a great in-depth tutorial here, but in case you don’t want to leave the page here’s a refresher:

Know the type of rice you’re cooking. The ratio of rice to liquid changes with the kind of rice you use, as does the time it cooks. I use less water in my rice than Beth does. It makes for a toothier, looser grain. If you prefer softer rice, increase the liquid by a half cup.

  • Short Grain Rice: 1 cup rice 1 cup liquid cook 18 minutes
  • Medium & Long Grain Rice: 1 cup rice 1 1/3 cups liquid cook 15 minutes
  • Brown rice: Boil it like pasta (in lots of water until al dente ) for 30 minutes, strain all of the water out, cover the pot, and let the rice rest in it for 10 minutes

Wash the rice. Cleaning the grains under cool running water until the water runs clear eliminates the starches that give you a gloppy result.

Bring the water to a boil before you add it to the rice. It keeps your timing on point.

Low and slow is the way. When the rice comes to a boil, lower the heat. Making rice at a boil makes the grains burst, leaving you with a starchy mess.

Keep it covered. Lifting the lid releases steam, increasing cooking time and ruining the texture. Once the rice is done, rest it for 10 minutes before uncovering it.

What Else Can I Put On Everything Bagel Rice?

Truly, the sky is the limit. Roasted or sauteed vegetables are always a great choice, especially quick-cooking ones. Try chopped peppers, mushrooms, blistered tomatoes, or creamy avocado. If you’re a meat eater, try rotisserie chicken, bacon crumbles, or savory ground beef.

How To Store Leftovers

You can refrigerate this rice bowl for up to 4 days, though I would make the eggs fresh every time. To reheat it, sprinkle it with 1/4 teaspoon water, and microwave it until it’s steaming. You can also freeze it in an air-tight container (again, without the eggs) for up to 3 months.

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Everything Bagel Rice Bowl

On those days you don't want to spend much time in the kitchen, make this earthy, vibrant, Everything Bagel Rice Bowl. It's no fuss, no muss, and so ridiculously yummy you'll go in for seconds.
Course Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($4.09 recipe / $2.05 serving)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2 bowls
Calories 713kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cup water $0.00
  • 1 cup long grain rice, rinsed until water runs clear $0.30
  • 5 Tbsp salted butter, divided $0.75
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.01
  • 1 yellow onion, small dice $0.41
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.24
  • 8 oz fresh spinach* $1.30
  • 2 large eggs $0.92
  • 1 tsp Everything Bagel seasoning plus more for garnish $0.16

Instructions

  • Put the water in a pot large enough to hold the rice (it doubles in size as it cooks). Cover it and bring to a boil. When the water's boiling, add the rinsed rice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir to incorporate.
  • Bring the water to a simmer with the pot uncovered. When steam vents begin to form on the surface, about 3 minutes, reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Rest it off the heat for 10 minutes. Then, remove the lid.
  • While the rice cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan set over medium heat. When the dairy solids turn golden brown, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the spinach to the pan along with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Sauté until it has wilted, about 3 minutes.
  • Smooth the surface of the spinach and make two indentations with a large spoon. Crack the eggs into a small bowl and then add them to the indentations. Cook, uncovered, until the egg whites become opaque, about 3 minutes.
  • Fluff up the rice. Dice the last tablespoon of butter. Add it to the rice along with the everything bagel seasoning and mix it in.
  • Plate the rice in 2 bowls. Top each bowl of rice with spinach and an egg. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*sub 8 oz fresh spinach with 6 oz frozen spinach

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 713kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 34g | Sodium: 1104mg | Fiber: 5g

How to Make Everything bagel Rice Bowls – Step by Step Photos

Overhead shot of butter, water, and rice in a pot.

Measure 1 1/3 cups of water and put it in a pot large enough to hold the rice (remember the rice doubles in size as it cooks). Cover the pot, and bring the water to a full boil. Then add the rinsed cup of rice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot.

Overhead shot of rice with surface steam vents in a pot.

Keep the rice uncovered while you bring the water back up to a simmer, about 3 minutes. When steam vents begin to form on the surface, reduce the heat to low. Cover the rice with a heavy, well-fitting lid. Cook for 15 minutes without removing the lid. Rest the rice off the heat for ten minutes before removing the lid.

Overhead shot of onions and garlic cooking in a pot.

While the rice cooks, add 2 tablespoons of butter to a medium-sized pan set over medium heat. Allow it to melt and foam. When it turns golden brown and smells nutty, add one diced onion. Sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add two cloves of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Overhead shot of spinach in a pot.
Add the 8 ounces of spinach to the pan along with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Sauté until it has wilted, about 3 minutes.
Overhead shot of two sunny-side up eggs cooking in spinach.
Smooth out the surface of the spinach. Make two indentations with a large spoon. Crack the 2 eggs into a small bowl and add one to each indentation. Cook, uncovered, until the egg whites become opaque, about 3 minutes.
Overhead shot of Everything Bagel seasoning and butter being added to rice.
Fluff up the rice. Dice the last tablespoon of butter. Add it to the rice along with the teaspoon of everything bagel seasoning and mix it in.
Overhead shot of Everything Bagel Rice Bowl

Divide the rice between 2 bowls. Top each bowl of rice with spinach and an egg. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning. Now all that’s left to do is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the hearty meal you just prepared in no time!

Overhead shot of Everything Bagel Rice Bowl with a knife cutting into the egg.

More Easy Bowl Meals

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Puerto Rican Rice And Beans

Boricuas eat Puerto Rican Rice and Beans almost every day because the dish has bold flavors, it’s easy to prepare, and it’s budget-friendly!

The post Puerto Rican Rice And Beans appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Boricuas (i.e., people from Puerto Rico) eat Puerto Rican Rice and Beans almost every day because the dish has bold flavors, is easy to prepare, and is budget-friendly! Arroz Con Habichuelas, as it’s called on the island, can be a meal on its own with a side of ripe yellow plantain slices, or you can serve it as a sidekick to any protein. Welcome to your new favorite weeknight staple!

Overhead shot of a white bowl of red beans and rice.

A Note On Authenticity

This is not a historically authentic recipe. We strive to create recipes that are accessible to everyone, which means ingredients need to be available at a mainstream budget grocery store. We test recipes using the least amount of steps, tools, and ingredients while still honoring the spirit of the recipe. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and look forward to a time when our ingredients are available in mainstream markets. Until then, buen provecho!

Can I Substitute The Canned Kidney Beans?

I love how versatile this recipe is. If kidney beans are not your favorite, you can substitute them with almost any other canned bean. Try chickpeas, white, pink, or black beans to keep it truly island-inspired. If you’re working with dry beans, prepare about 3/4 cup of the dried to substitute for a 15-ounce can of beans.

Can I Substitute The WhIte Rice?

Since the medium grain white rice cooks in its own pot, making substitutions is easy. Don’t skip rinsing the rice, as it removes excess starches so the rice won’t clump together. Also, make sure to toast the rice in the oil, which develops nutty flavors and allows the rice to come to a boil faster since it is already warm. The only thing you really have to change is the amount of water you use to make the rice, as different grains require different amounts of liquid to cook fully. Follow these easy guidelines:

  • Brown Rice: 1 cup rice – 1 3/4 cups water
  • Basmati Rice: 1 cup rice – 1 3/4 cups water
  • Jasmine Rice: 1 cup rice to 1 1/2 cups water
  • Long Grain White Rice: 1 cup rice to 2 cups water
  • Medium grain White Rice 1 cup rice to 1 1/2 cups water
  • Short Grain White Rice: 1 cup rice to 1 1/4 cups water

How To Make Vegan Red Beans And Rice

You can make this recipe vegan by omitting the salt pork and substituting the chicken bouillon with vegetable stock. You should also make your own sazón, the all-purpose spice blend that gives Puerto Rican food its deep earthy flavors and orange hues. Many brands of sazón are made with a mineral salt that is animal based. Once you make your sazón, your first step will be to bloom it in the oil. Blooming is chef speak for warming the spices in oil until fragrant, a great trick to keep up your sleeve when you want to add deeper flavors to any recipe. Then just follow the rest of the recipe for Puerto Rican Rice and Beans. Here is a recipe to make your own sazón:

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/3 teaspoon ground annatto
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground oregano
Overhead shot of a white bowl of red beans and rice with a side of ripe plantain slices. and a black spoon in it

Storing Red Beans and Rice

This is the best recipe for meal prep because it’s easy to store and holds up for five days in the fridge. Just place the rice in an airtight container, and do the same with the beans. Then, refrigerate until you’re ready to reheat them. You can also freeze individual portions. They will keep for up to six months.

Reheating Beans and Rice

You have a few options when it comes to reheating. I prefer to use a non-stick pan for the rice because I like the added crunch it gives to the grains on the bottom of the pan. I also sprinkle a little bit of water over the rice (about 1/8th of a teaspoon per cup) to rehydrate the grains. Finally, I reheat the beans in a microwave-safe container until they steam. Of course, you can reheat the rice in the microwave as well. Just remember that sprinkle of water.

WHAT TO DO WITH LeftoverS

If you want to go all out, reheat equal parts of rice and beans and make “Arroz Mamposteao.” Most Puerto Ricans do it with day-old rice and beans, and it is a DELIGHT. You’ll use 1 part beans to 2 parts rice. First, dice some salt pork, about 1/4 cup, and render the fat in a large pot. When the pork is crispy and golden, add a few more tablespoons of sofrito and cook until fragrant. Then add the beans and heat until they are steaming and the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. Finally, add the rice, mix, and cook until the rice absorbs the sauce. Boom! You’re welcome!

Side shot of a white bowl of red beans and rice with a side of ripe plantains and a spoon in it.
Overhead shot of a white bowl of red beans and rice.
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Puerto Rican Style Red Beans and Rice

Puerto Rican Rice and Beans is a dish with bold flavors, it's easy to prepare, and it's budget-friendly! Make it a meal with a side of ripe yellow plantain slices, or serve it as a sidekick to any protein.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Latin
Total Cost ($8.24 recipe / $0.69 serving)
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12 1/2 cup beans + 1/2 cup rice
Calories 314kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp cooking oil, divided $0.16
  • 1 packet sazón $0.17
  • 1/2 cup salt pork, small dice $1.83
  • 1 onion, diced $0.42
  • 1 Tbsp garlic, minced (about 3 cloves) $0.14
  • 8 oz tomato sauce $0.59
  • 4 Tbsp sofrito $0.72
  • 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon, Roasted Chicken Base* $0.12
  • 2 Tbsp distilled white vinegar $0.07
  • 1 large sweet potato, large dice $0.74
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced $0.79
  • 2 15 oz. cans kidney beans, drained $1.68
  • 2 cups white medium grain rice, rinsed $0.76
  • 3 cups boiling water $0.00
  • 2 tsp salt, plus more to taste $0.05

Instructions

  • Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to a medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once it has warmed, add the salt pork and sazón. Fry until the fat has rendered and the salt pork is golden, about 4 minutes.
  • Lower the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the tomato sauce, sofrito, chicken bouillon, and vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, reducing the sauce and developing the flavors.
  • Add the green bell pepper and the sweet potato. Cook for five minutes.
  • Add the beans and enough water to cover them. Stir and taste the broth. Add salt to taste.
  • Cook uncovered over medium heat for 20 minutes until the sweet potato has softened. If halfway through the cook, the liquid in the beans reduces too much, add 1/4 cup of water.
  • For the rice, set a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil has warmed, add the rice, mix it into the oil and let it toast for a minute. Next, add the boiling water and 2 teaspoons of salt to the rice and stir.
  • Cook uncovered until the water begins to evaporate and you see little steam holes form over the surface of the rice, about 5 minutes. Stir the rice once, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pot tightly with a heavy lid, so steam does not escape.
  • Cook the rice without stirring until the grains are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. After you portion out the rice, scrape up the crispy bits on the bottom of the pot to serve on top of your rice.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*A packet of sazón contains about 1.5 teaspoons of sazón.
*If you cannot source Better Than Bouillon, Roasted Chicken Base, use 1 cup of chicken stock.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Sodium: 885mg | Fiber: 2g

How to Make Puerto Rican Red Beans And Rice – Step by Step Photos

Overhead shot of salt pork frying in a silver pot.

Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot over mid-high heat. Once it has warmed, add 1/2 cup of diced salt pork and a packet of sazón. Fry until the fat has rendered and the salt pork is golden, about 4 minutes.

Overhead shot of salt pork, onions, and garlic, frying in a silver pot.

Lower the heat to medium and add the diced onion. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the tablespoon of minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Overhead shot of gray rubber spoon with wood handle scraping the bottom of a silver pot to part sofrito.

Once the garlic releases its aroma, add the 8 ounces of tomato sauce, the 4 tablespoons of sofrito, the teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon, and the 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, reducing the sauce and developing the flavors.

Overhead shot of diced green bell peppers and diced sweet potatoes in a silver pot with sofrito.

Add the diced green bell pepper and the diced large sweet potato. Cook for five minutes.

Overhead shot of water being added to a silver pot full of red beans.

Add the 2 cans of beans and enough water to cover them. Stir and taste the broth. Add salt to taste, but don’t over salt. As water evaporates, the salt will become more pronounced.

Overhead shot of finished red beans in a silver pot with a spoon scooping a cup full.

Cook uncovered over medium heat for 20 minutes until the sweet potato has softened. If halfway through the cook, the liquid in the beans reduces too much, add 1/4 cup of water.

Overhead shot of water being poured into toasted rice in a silver pot.

For the rice, set a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil has warmed, add the 2 cups of rinsed rice, mix it into the oil and let it toast for a minute. Next, add the 3 cups of boiling water to the rice. Finally, add the 2 teaspoons of salt and stir.

Overhead shot of a silver pot of rice with steam vents on the surface of the rice

Cook uncovered until the water begins to evaporate and you see little steam holes form over the surface of the rice, about 5 minutes. Stir the rice once, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pot tightly with a heavy lid, so steam does not escape. Cook the rice without stirring until the grains are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Overhead shot of cooked rice in a silver pot.

After you portion out the rice, scrape up the crispy bits on the bottom of the pot to serve on top of your rice. No, you did not burn your rice. The crispy bits are called “pegao,” and in Puerto Rico, it’s the part of the meal that everyone wants a piece of.

Side shot of a white bowl with red beans and rice and slice ripe plantain with a black spoon in it.

To serve, scoop a 1/2 cup of rice into a bowl and top it with a 1/2 cup of beans. If you want to take it one step further, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and add a few slices of ripe plantain on the side as we did. It’s a knockout!! As we say in Puerto Rico, “Buen provecho!”

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Sushi Bowls

Homemade Sushi Bowls are a fast, easy, and inexpensive alternative to eating out. Get your sushi fix without spending a fortune!

The post Sushi Bowls appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Confession: I’ve been spending way too much on sushi lately. But I don’t have the skill to make beautifully rolled sushi at home. So when that sushi craving hits, I just whip up an easy sushi bowl instead. It’s got all of the components of California roll piled into a bowl instead. They’re not fancy, for sure, but they’ll crush that sushi craving without leaving you $30 in the hole.

Close up overhead view of a sushi bowl with sriracha mayo.

What is in a Sushi Bowl?

I kept this sushi bowl as simple as possible to keep the price low and to make it easy to prepare, but they’re very customizable! My sushi bowls had seasoned sushi rice, a few crunchy vegetables (carrot and cucumber), nori (seaweed), and crab stick. You can jazz these sushi bowls up and make them fancier as your budget allows.

Here are some other fun ingredients to add to sushi bowls:

For Best Results, use short grain rice

Using short grain rice is really important for getting that classic sushi flavor and texture. Those little grains have a high starch content and a very different texture than long grain white rice. Packaged “sushi rice” carries a hefty price tag at regular grocery stores and can be quite expensive, so I suggest checking bulk bins, or better yet making a special trip to an Asian grocer.

Another option is to use Calrose rice, which is fairly common in U.S. grocery stores. Calrose is a medium grain starchy rice grown in California that still works really well for sushi bowls.

What is Imitation Crab?

Imitation crab is what you’ll find in California rolls and a lot of other Americanized sushi. It’s real white fish that has been shaped and flavored to resemble crab meat, but at a much lower price. You can usually find it in stick form, chunks, or flaked. It’s pretty tasty, IMHO, and very affordable!

Close up side view of a sushi bowl.

Seaweed options

Adding a bit of nori (dried seaweed) really goes a long way toward making this bowl taste like real sushi. Luckily, “nori snacks” have become really popular the last few years. They are just smaller single-serving-sized packages of nori rather than the larger packs you’d typically use to roll a lot of sushi. I sliced up a few small squares of nori snack for each bowl and, boom! Done.

How to Store Sushi Bowls

These sushi bowls work really well for meal prep and stay good in the refrigerator for about four days. You definitely want to cool the rice as quickly as possible after cooking and before packing your sushi bowls so that the warm rice doesn’t wilt the vegetables. So after seasoning the rice, spread it out on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish then refrigerate until cooled before packing the sushi bowls into meal prep containers.

Overhead view of a sushi bowl being eaten with chopsticks.
Completed sushi bowl from above on a dark background.
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Sushi Bowls

Sushi Bowls are a fast, easy, and inexpensive alternative to your favorite sushi bar. Get your sushi fix without spending a fortune. 
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian
Total Cost $8.82 recipe / $2.21 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 642kcal

Ingredients

SUSHI RICE

  • 2 cups short grain white rice $1.36
  • 2 cups water $0.00
  • 2 Tbsp rice vinegar $0.27
  • 2 Tbsp sugar $0.02
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05

TOPPINGS

  • 8 oz imitation crab $2.99
  • 1 carrot $0.19
  • 1 cucumber $0.59
  • 1 avocado $1.50
  • 1 pack nori snack $1.15
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds $0.18

SRIRACHA MAYO (optional)

  • 4 Tbsp mayonnaise $0.30
  • 2 Tbsp sriracha $0.22

Instructions

  • Place the uncooked short grain rice in a medium sauce pot. Rinse the rice well and drain off as much water as possible.
  • Add 2 cups of fresh water, place a lid on the pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let the rice rest, undisturbed and with the lid in place, for 10 additional minutes.
  • To prepare the sushi rice dressing, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. If needed, microwave for 15-30 seconds to help the sugar dissolve.
  • While the rice is cooking, prepare the toppings. Shred or chop the imitation crab, shred or julienne the carrot, slice the avocado, slice the cucumber, and break the nori snacks into smaller pieces. Stir together the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl.
  • When the rice is finished cooking, sprinkle about 1/4 of the vinegar dressing over the rice, then gently fold or stir the rice to combine. Repeat the process until all of the vinegar dressing has been incorporated into the rice.
  • To build your sushi bowls, place about 1 cup of the seasoned sushi rice in a bowl, then top with crab stick, carrot, cucumber, avocado, a few pieces of nori, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a drizzle of the sriracha mayo.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bowl | Calories: 642kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 20g | Sodium: 1185mg | Fiber: 8g

How to Make Sushi Bowls – Step by Step Photos

Rice being poured into a sauce pot.

Place 2 cups of the uncooked rice in a medium sauce pot. Rinse the rice well and drain off as much of the excess water as possible. Add 2 cups fresh water, place a lid on the pot, then bring the water up to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to low and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes (make sure it’s simmering the whole time). After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let the rice rest, lid in place, for an additional five minutes. 

Rice vinegar, sugar, and salt being stirred in a small bowl, the bottle of vinegar on the side.

While the rice is cooking, mix up the rice seasoning. This seasoning gives the rice its characteristic sushi flavor and glossy appearance. Combine 2 Tbsp rice vinegar, 2 Tbsp white sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. If needed, microwave the mixture for 15-30 seconds to help dissolve the sugar.

Seasoning being drizzled over the rice in the pot.

Sprinkle about 1/4 of the vinegar seasoning over the rice. Gently fold or stir the rice to distribute the dressing. Repeat this process until all of the dressing has been incorporated and the rice appears slightly glossy. Make sure not gently fold, rather than stir, the rice to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Prepped sushi bowl toppings.

While the rice is cooking, prepare the rest of the sushi bowl toppings. Shred one carrot (use a large-holed cheese grater), chop one cucumber, slice one avocado and chop or break up 8oz. of imitation crab into small pieces.

Imitation crab and nori snacks.

Imitation crab is basically just white fish that has been shaped and flavored to resemble crab. You can usually find this in the seafood department or frozen seafood department of the grocery store. Nori snacks can usually be found in the International aisle of larger grocery stores. They’re usually around $2 per pack and contain several squares each!

Sriracha mayo being stirred in a small bowl.

Prepare a little sriracha mayo to go on the sushi bowls… Simply stir together 4 Tbsp mayo and 2 Tbsp sriracha. NOM.

Sriracha mayo being drizzled over the sushi bowl.

Finally build your sushi bowls by adding about 1 cup of the seasoned sushi rice, then topping with some of imitation crab, sliced avocado, shredded carrot, sliced cucumbers, a few pieces of nori, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a delicious drizzle of sriracha mayo.

Completed sushi bowl from above on a dark background.

Seriously, SO GOOD.

Close up of a bite of sushi bowl being held by chopsticks.

Bonus: sushi bowls are a little harder to pick up with chopsticks than rolled sushi, so you can’t inhale them quite as quickly. Take time and savor that flavor. ;)

The post Sushi Bowls appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Peanut Tofu

A spicy peanut sauce drenches pan-fried tofu and stir fry vegetables in these simple and delicious peanut tofu bowls.

The post Peanut Tofu appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Um, YUM! I just have to say that this Peanut Tofu is going to become a new staple in my house. It’s pretty easy to throw together, it’s a beautiful mix of colors and textures, and it’s absolutely deeeelicious! It’s definitely one of those meals that will give you that, “I can’t believe I made this myself” moment.

Overhead view of peanut tofu in a skillet on a black tile surface.

Freeze or Press Your Tofu

Lately, I’ve become a huge fan of freezing and then thawing my tofu before using it in a recipe. The freeze-thaw process changes the texture of the tofu, making it less jelly-like and more structured. The best part is that the texture change allows you to simply squeeze the tofu like a sponge to expel the extra liquid in seconds. To freeze the tofu, I just place the whole package (unopened) in the freezer, then the day before cooking I transfer it back to the fridge to thaw.

If you don’t pre-freeze your tofu, you’ll want to press it well before using it in this recipe. Either use a special tofu press or create one in your kitchen using items you already have on hand. I like to place the tofu on a rimmed baking sheet, then top with a cutting board and something heavy like a cast iron pan or a pot full of water. Let the tofu press for at least a half hour to get rid of the excess liquid.

Is This Peanut Tofu Spicy?

Yes, I used a lot of sriracha in the peanut sauce, so this dish has a decently spicy kick! While you can experiment with reducing the sriracha by half, I wouldn’t eliminate it entirely because the sriracha also provides extra acidity and garlic to the flavor profile, and the other ingredients would need to be adjusted to compensate.

How to Serve Peanut Tofu

I served my peanut tofu and vegetables over a bed of rice, but you could also serve them over rice noodles or even some cooked ramen.

Overhead view of a bowl full of peanut tofu and rice with a black fork.
Overhead view of a skillet full of peanut tofu with limes and cilantro.

Peanut Tofu

A spicy peanut sauce drenches pan-fried tofu and stir fry vegetables in these simple and delicious peanut tofu bowls.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Thai
Total Cost $6.74 recipe / $1.69 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Press Tofu 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 608kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Peanut Sauce

  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter $0.58
  • 2 Tbsp sriracha $0.22
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.08
  • 1 lime (2 Tbsp juice) $0.50
  • 2 tsp soy sauce $0.04
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth $0.07

Tofu Stir Fry

  • 14 oz. extra firm tofu* $1.79
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.06
  • 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil $0.06
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch $0.03
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil, divided $0.08
  • 16 oz. frozen stir fry vegetables $2.25

For Serving (optional)

  • 3 cups cooked rice $0.62
  • 1 handful cilantro $0.20

Instructions

  • Make the peanut sauce first so the flavors have time to blend. Whisk together the peanut butter, sriracha, brown sugar, 2 Tbsp lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, and vegetable broth.
  • Press the tofu for 30 minutes to expel the excess water or use previously frozen tofu and squeeze the water out with your hands. Cut the tofu block into 24 triangles (12 squares, then cut diagonally into triangles).
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch. Add the tofu pieces and gently toss until they are coated in the mixture.
  • Add 1 Tbsp cooking oil to a large non-stick skillet and heat over medium. Once hot, add the tofu and cook until browned on all sides (about 10 minutes total). Remove the tofu from the skillet.
  • Add 1 Tbsp cooking oil to the skillet then add the frozen stir fry vegetables. Cook over medium heat until heated through.
  • Add the cooked tofu back to the skillet with the vegetables, then pour the prepared peanut sauce over top. Stir to combine and heat through.
  • Slice any remaining lime into wedges. Top the peanut tofu with the lime wedges and fresh cilantro (if desired) before serving over cooked rice or noodles.

Notes

*Either press your tofu for 30 minutes before beginning the recipe, or freeze and thaw the tofu a day or two prior, then squeeze out the excess water with your hands. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 608kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 30g | Sodium: 833mg | Fiber: 7g

How to Make Peanut Tofu – Step by Step Photos

Peanut sauce in a bowl with a whisk.

Make the peanut sauce first so the flavors have a little time to blend. Whisk together ½ cup natural peanut butter, 2 Tbsp sriracha, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp soy sauce, 2 cloves minced garlic, and ½ cup vegetable broth. Set the sauce aside.

A block of tofu being sliced into triangles

Press one 14oz. block of extra firm tofu for about 30 minutes to expel the excess water (or freeze then thaw the tofu in the days prior and squeeze out the water by hand). Cut the thickness of the tofu block in half, then cut it into 12 triangles (when stacked) to make 24 pieces.

Seasoned cornstarch slurry in a bowl with a whisk.

Next, whisk together 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp cornstarch in a bowl. This will coat the tofu with flavor and help it crisp up a bit more in the skillet.

Tofu coated in seasoned cornstarch and oil.

Add the tofu pieces to the cornstarch and oil mixture then gently fold until the tofu is coated in the mixture.

Cooked tofu in the skillet.

Heat 1 Tbsp cooking oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the tofu and cook until browned on each side (about 10 minutes total). Remove the tofu from the skillet.

Stir fry vegetables in the skillet.

Add another 1 Tbsp cooking oil to the skillet, then once hot add one 16oz. bag of frozen stir fry vegetables. Continue to cook over medium heat just until the vegetables are heated through.

Tofu and peanut sauce being added to the skillet with vegetables.

Add the cooked tofu back to the skillet with the vegetables, then pour the prepared peanut sauce over top. Stir everything to combine and heat through.

Finished peanut tofu in the skillet with limes and cilantro.

Cut any remaining limes into wedges. Top the peanut tofu with cilantro (if desired) and the lime wedges before serving.

A bowl of peanut tofu with rice, lime wedges, and cilantro.

Love Tofu? Try these other Tofu Recipes

The post Peanut Tofu appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Carrot Soup

Roasted carrots and brown butter take a humble carrot soup to a new level of yum. PS this recipe got props from Chef Gordon Ramsay. Try it!

The post Carrot Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

When times were tight, I’d go to the dollar store for groceries. On one occasion, I picked up a bag of carrots in the hopes that my two-year-old would want to have them as a healthy snack. By the end of the week, defeated by a toddler, I found myself staring blankly at a wilting bag of carrots I could not afford to waste. And so this roasted carrot soup was born. I use brown butter for nuttiness, cream to add body, and ginger and thyme to elevate the flavors. It’s so good, it got props from Chef Gordon Ramsay when I made it on MasterChef.

Overhead shot of carrot soup in a white Dutch oven with sour cream swirled in it.

Is Roasting Necessary?

Roasting is what makes this soup special. It’s the greatest gift you can give a root veggie with very minimal effort. All you have to do is chop carrots and put them in an oven! As the carrots roast, they develop deeper flavors through caramelization. Don’t worry if a few of them charr, as that browning will add a nice smokiness to the finished product. Roasting also reduces the time you’ll need to keep your carrots simmering on a stove. Make sure to slice carrots evenly, so they cook at the same pace.

Boiling Instead of Simmering

Do your best to keep your soup at a simmer, not a boil. You’re looking for gentle bubbles and steam. Otherwise, you’re evaporating most of your liquid before the carrots are through cooking. Boiling soup also causes nutrient loss and destroys aromas. A gentle simmer > a raging boil. ( If you’re single, you can also apply that equation to your love life. You’re welcome.)

Overhead shot of carrot soup in three white bowls with sour cream swirled in it

Can I freeze carrot soup?

Yes, you can freeze carrot soup. Make sure to freeze it in individual portions, as you should only thaw it once. It should keep for up to three months. After that, you can thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in a pot over low heat, or pop the individual portion into a microwave straight from the freezer—cover to avoid splatter, and cook until it’s steaming.

What can I serve with carrot soup?

This soup is very filling, but it also pairs well with these fantastic recipes:

Overhead shot of carrot soup in a white Dutch Oven with sour cream swirled in it.

Side shot of white bowl with carrot soup in it.

Carrot Soup

This roasted carrot soup transforms the humble carrot into a vibrant meal. It scores major points for being as economical as it is hearty. Keep it vegetarian or add chicken breast for a protein punch.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Total Cost $4.71 recipe / $1.03 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 2 cups each
Calories 504kcal
Author Monti – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs carrots $1.49
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.12
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.03
  • 4 Tbsp salted butter $0.50
  • 1 yellow onion $0.65
  • 1 tsp thyme $0.10
  • 3 cups water $0.00
  • 3 cups chicken broth $0.36
  • 1 cup heavy cream $1.12
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger $0.21
  • 2 sprigs Italian parsley (optional) $0.05
  • 4 Tbsp sour cream (optional) $0.08

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Clean the carrots and cut them into 1/4 inch rounds. Drizzle with olive oil and salt. Roast the carrots at 400°F for about 35 minutes until they have softened and begun to caramelize.
  • Dice the onions. Add the butter to a large Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until it foams and the milk solids start to brown. Turn off the heat, add the thyme and cook for one minute, to infuse the butter.
  • Turn the heat to medium and cook the onions in the browned butter until the onions are translucent, about two minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth and water and cover. Simmer until carrots are done.
  • When the carrots have begun to caramelize, take them out of the oven.
  • Add the carrots to the chicken broth. Cook uncovered until carrots easily fall apart when pressed by a fork.
  • Add soup to a blender, Take the center cap off of your blender lid and cover with a towel. Blend in two batches and puree.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a few leaves of Italian parsley

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 43g | Sodium: 1221mg | Fiber: 7g
Overhead shot of three bowls of carrot soup with sour cream swirled in them.

How to Make Carrot Soup – Step by Step Photos

Overhead shot of sliced raw carrots in a sheet pan.

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Peel the 2 pounds of carrots and cut them into 1/4 inch rounds. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Roast the carrots at 400°F for about 35 minutes until they have softened and caramelized.

Overhead shot of butter browning.

While the carrots roast, dice the onion. Add 4 tablespoons of salted butter to a Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until it foams and the milk solids start to brown. Add 1 teaspoon of thyme and let it cook for a minute.

Overhead shot of butter browning.

Add the diced onion to the browned butter and thyme. Cook the onion until they it is translucent, about two minutes.

Overhead shot of chicken stock being poured into soup base.

Add the 3 cups of chicken broth and the 3 cups of water. Scrape up any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Cover and simmer with the lid on until the carrots are ready.

Overhead shot of sheet pan with roasted carrots.

Once the carrots have started to caramelize, take them out of the oven.

Overhead shot of carrots cooking in cream mixture.

Add the roasted carrots to the chicken broth mixture. Simmer until they soften so much they fall apart easily when pressed by a fork.

Overhead shot of blended carrot soup.

Before blending the soup, remove the center cap off of your lid and cover the hole with a kitchen towel. Add half of the soup to the blender and puree. Repeat.

Overhead shot of carrot soup in a white bowl with sour cream swirled in it.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. If you’d like to garnish your soup, try it with a dollop of sour cream, some Italian parsley, and black pepper.

Try These Other Great Creamy Soups

The post Carrot Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Bún Chả (Vietnamese Meatballs)

Bún chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) are simple, light, fresh, and perfect for a hot summer day or as a make-ahead meal.

The post Bún Chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This light and fresh Bún Chả recipe features flavorful and juicy pork meatballs paired with vermicelli noodles and plenty of herbs and vegetables. Bún chả is light yet filling and it comes together effortlessly in a few straightforward steps. Served with a homemade dipping sauce, this refreshing recipe is perfect for a hot summer day or as a make-ahead meal.

Close up of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.

What is Bún Chả?

Growing up, I didn’t realize there was a name for these delicious juicy pork meatballs. They were just something my mom made for me because it was one of the five things that I was willing to eat without question. It’s a recipe that you can easily make, you can scale it up or down, and most importantly, it’s super flavorful. 

Bún chả, also known as Vietnamese pork meatballs with vermicelli noodles, is a popular Vietnamese dish that is thought to have originated in Hanoi. You can find them served anywhere from street food stalls to restaurants in Hanoi. While a popular lunchtime recipe, you can enjoy this recipe any time of the day. I love how refreshing the noodles, vegetables, and herbs are on a hot summer day. You can even find Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama enjoying it on an episode of Parts Unknown!

What is fish sauce? 

Fish sauce is the secret ingredient of this entire recipe. It goes into the meatballs as well as the dipping sauce (nước chấm) and is an absolute umami bomb. It is a liquid condiment that is made from fermenting fish over time. It adds major savory, salty, and general deliciousness to the overall dish. You can find fish sauce in the international aisle in most grocery stores, or at an Asian grocer.

Bún chả being dipped in a bowl of sauce with ingredients on the sides.

What is lemongrass? 

Lemongrass is an aromatic herb that has a fragrant complex flavor that is bright and citrusy. You can purchase lemongrass fresh or frozen. I usually find frozen lemongrass at Asian grocers and like to stock up my freezer with them. If you can’t find lemongrass, lemon zest and some ginger could work in a pinch, but I highly recommend not substituting the lemongrass because it is key to achieving the authentic Vietnamese flavor profile.

When using fresh lemongrass, keep in mind that the bottom woody section should be discarded. I’ve been noticing more chain grocery stores carrying fresh lemongrass so you should be able to find it relatively easily. If not, check where the ginger paste is kept and you might find lemongrass paste instead for an easy swap!

How to store leftovers

This recipe is perfect for meal prepping! Store the rice noodles, veggies, and herbs in one container and the pork meatballs in another container. This makes reheating the meatballs much easier, especially at work. Everything should keep and stay fresh for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. 

Tips for Making Bún Chả

  • Do not overpack the meatballs while shaping the meatballs as you do not want them to be dense. 
  • For uniformed meatballs, use a cookie scoop. This helps them cook evenly as well. You do not want to go any larger than around a golf ball’s size.
  • For the nước chấm, feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes. 
  • While I use a non-stick skillet, you can use a grilling pan or cast-iron skillet as well. 
  • When buying rice vermicelli noodles, make sure to double-check the ingredients. At first glance, they look similar to cellophane noodles but they are not the same.
Close up side view of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.
Close up side view of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.

Bún chả

Bún chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) are simple, light, fresh, and perfect for a hot summer day or as a make-ahead meal.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Vietnames
Total Cost $16.22 recipe / $4.06 serving
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 469kcal
Author Carmy Do

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb. ground pork $4.49
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped $0.24
  • 1/4 cup chopped shallot $0.68
  • 4 Tbsp minced lemongrass $0.60
  • 2 Tbsp honey $0.24
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce $0.23
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp pepper $0.02

Dipping Sauce (​​Nuoc Cham)

  • 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes) $1.20
  • 3/4 cup water $0.00
  • 3 Tbsp fish sauce $0.68
  • 1 Thai red chili pepper $0.10
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 2 Tbsp sugar $0.02
  • 1 carrot, thinly sliced $0.16

Bowls

  • 8 oz. rice vermicelli noodles $2.99
  • 1 head butter lettuce $1.59
  • 1 handful fresh mint $2.19
  • 1 carrot, sliced $0.16
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced $0.50

Instructions

For the Meatballs:

  • CHop the garlic and shallots, and mince the lemongrass.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the pork, fish sauce, salt, pepper, honey, lemongrass, shallots, and garlic. Set the mixture aside for 1 to 2 hours in the fridge.
  • Shape the mixture into small meatballs (about 20 meatballs), and then gently flatten them a bit.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil and add the meatballs in a single layer. Cook the meatballs until they are golden and caramelized, around 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the cooked meatballs aside.

For the Sauce:

  • Whisk the sauce ingredients together and adjust to your tastes. Optional: heat the water and whisk the sugar in to dissolve before adding the rest of the ingredients.

For the Bowls:

  • Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions (usually cook 2-3 minutes in a pot of boiling water).
  • Serve the noodles with the meatballs along with a handful of lettuce, mint, carrots, and cucumbers with the nuoc cham on the side.

Notes

Editor’s note: The prices listed above are from U.S. chain grocery stores. If you have an Asian market in your area you’ll be able to source ingredients like fish sauce, lemongrass, limes, Thai chilis, mint, and rice noodles for much cheaper and often with much higher quality.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 2098mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead view of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.

How to Make Bún chả – Step by Step Photos

Prepared aromatics for the meatballs on a cutting board.

First, prepare the aromatics for the meatballs. Mince three cloves of garlic, ¼ cup shallots, and 4 tablespoons lemongrass.

Meatball ingredients in a bowl.

Add the garlic, shallots, and lemongrass to a bowl with about one pound of ground pork, 2 Tablespoons of honey, 1 Tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix the ingredients together then set the mixture aside for 1 to 2 hours in the fridge so the flavors can blend.

Shaped meatballs in a casserole dish.

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, and then gently flatten them a bit. To help divide the mixture evenly, first, dive the meat into four equal pieces, then divide each quarter into five pieces to yield 20 meatballs.

Cooked meatballs in a skillet.

Heat a large skillet over medium. Once hot, add a tablespoon or two of cooking oil and swirl to coat. Add the meatballs to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook the meatballs until they are golden and caramelized, around 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the cooked meatballs aside.

Prepared dipping sauce in a small container with a whisk.

For the sauce, whisk together ¼ cup lime juice, ¾ cup water, 3 Tablespoons fish sauce, 1 minced clove of garlic, 1 finely chopped red chili, 2 Tablespoons of sugar, and some thinly sliced carrots (optional garnish). Taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients to your taste buds.

Cooked rice noodles draining in a sieve over a bowl.

Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions (they usually require cooking for 2-3 minutes in a pot of boiling water). Drain the noodles and set them aside.

Chopped vegetables on a cutting board.

Prepare the rest of the vegetables for your bowls. Slice a cucumber, slice a carrot into matchsticks, pull a handful of mint leaves from the stems, and wash some tender lettuce.

Finished Bún chả bowl from above.

Build the Bún chả bowls by adding the rice vermicelli noodles to a bowl along with some lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and Bún chả. Dip the Bún chả into the sauce, or drizzle a little over the bowl.

Bún chả in a bowl of dipping sauce.

SO fresh and so GOOD!

Overhead view of Bún chả in a bowl with noodles and vegetables, dipping sauce on the side.

The post Bún Chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Summer Vegetables in Red Sauce

Colorful summer vegetables simmered in a red sauce and spooned over warm polenta make a hearty and inexpensive summer meal.

The post Summer Vegetables in Red Sauce appeared first on Budget Bytes.

One of my favorite things about summer is all of the colorful vegetables. I pack my plate with as many vegetables as I can this time of year because I know that six months from now they won’t be nearly as delicious or inexpensive. Simmering a medley of vegetables in a simple jar of pasta sauce makes a really quick, filling, and inexpensive meal that you can spoon over a bowl of polenta, a plate of pasta, or even a hearty piece of toast. Simple and delicious!

Close up overhead view of vegetables in red sauce over polenta with a fork.

What Vegetables to Use

Whenever I make a recipe with multiple vegetables, I always try to make sure to get a variety of colors. So today I used eggplant (dark/purple), zucchini (green), red bell pepper (red), and yellow onion (white). But here are some other vegetables that would also work well in this recipe:

  • Carrots
  • Yellow squash
  • Green bell pepper
  • Spinach or kale
  • Mushrooms
  • Asparagus

Red Sauce Options

To keep this recipe extra simple, I just used a jar of store-bought pasta sauce, but just about any red pasta sauce will work here. If you prefer to make your own instead of buying pre-made sauce, you can try my quick weeknight pasta sauce, or a deeper slow cooker pasta sauce.

What to Serve with Vegetables in Red Sauce

I whipped up a quick Parmesan polenta to serve as the base for these vegetables and sauce, but they would be equally good over pasta, mashed potatoes, or even a sturdy piece of toast.

Overhead view of vegetables in red sauce in the pot.
Close up overhead view of cornmeal and vegetables in red sauce in a bowl with a fork on the side.

Summer Vegetables in Red Sauce

Colorful summer vegetables simmered in a red sauce and spooned over warm polenta make a hearty and inexpensive summer meal.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $8.15 recipe / $1.36 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 1 cup vegetables each
Calories 263kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

Vegetables in Red Sauce

  • 1 yellow onion $0.32
  • 4 cloves garlic $0.32
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.32
  • 1 eggplant $1.49
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning $0.10
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp pepper $0.03
  • 1 red bell pepper $1.50
  • 1 zucchini $1.47
  • 1 24oz. jar pasta sauce $1.50
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish) $0.10

Parmesan Cornmeal (optional)

  • 5 cups water $0.00
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal $0.40
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.22
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.36

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a large pot. Sauté over medium heat until the onions have softened.
  • While the onion and garlic are cooking, dice the eggplant into ½-inch pieces. Add the eggplant to the pot with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and continue to sauté over medium heat.
  • Dice the red bell pepper. Once the eggplant has softened, add the diced bell pepper to the pot and continue to sauté.
  • Slice the zucchini into ¼-inch thick quarter-rounds, then add them to the pot. Continue to sauté just a couple minutes more, or until the zucchini just begin to soften.
  • Add the red sauce and 1/4 cup water to the pot and stir to combine. Let the vegetables simmer in the sauce for 5-10 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
  • While the vegetables are simmering, bring a separate pot of water to a boil.
  • Once boiling, stir in the salt, then pour in the cornmeal while whisking. Continue to cook and whisk until the cornmeal thickens (this should happen quickly).
  • Once the cornmeal has thickened, stir in the butter until melted, then add the grated Parmesan. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
  • To serve, spoon ⅔ cup cornmeal into a bowl then top with one cup of the vegetables and red sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Other serving options include serving the vegetables and sauce over pasta, a hearty piece of toast, or even a baked potato!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Sodium: 1143mg | Fiber: 8g
A bowl of summer vegetables in red sauce over polenta with a fork in the center.

How to Make Summer Vegetables in Red Sauce – Step by Step Photos

Garlic Onion and Oil in the pot.

Dice one yellow onion and mince four cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large pot along with 2 Tbsp olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions have softened.

Diced eggplant added to the pot.

While the onion and garlic are cooking, dice an eggplant into ½-inch pieces. Add them to the pot with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, and continue to sauté until the eggplant have softened.

Diced bell pepper added to the pot.

Dice one red bell pepper, add it to the pot, and continue to sauté.

Chopped zucchini added to the pot.

Slice one zucchini into 1/4-inch thick quarter-rounds. Add the zucchini to the pot and sauté just until the zucchini begins to soften.

pasta sauce being poured into the pot.

Add one 24oz. jar (3 cups) red sauce and 1/4 cup water to the pot and stir to combine.

Simmered vegetables in red sauce in the pot.

Let the vegetables simmer in the red sauce for about 10 more minutes. Taste and season with salt to taste.

Cornmeal being poured into a pot of boiling water with a whisk.

If you’d like to serve the vegetables over polenta, bring 5 cups of water up to a boil. Once boiling, stir in one teaspoon salt, then add one cup of cornmeal while whisking. Continue to cook and whisk until it thickens (this only takes a minute or two).

Butter added to cooked cornmeal.

Stir two tablespoons of butter into the thickened cornmeal.

Grated Parmesan being sprinkled over the cornmeal.

Finally, Stir in ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Taste the cornmeal and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Close up overhead view of cornmeal and vegetables in red sauce in a bowl with a fork on the side.

Add about ⅔ cup of the cornmeal to a bowl and top with 1 cup of the vegetables in red sauce. Top with a little more Parmesan and some chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!

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Sausage and Vegetable Skillet

This super fast and easy Sausage and Vegetable Skillet is the ultimate busy-day meal and is perfect for meal prep!

The post Sausage and Vegetable Skillet appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I’ve been obsessed with this super simple Sausage and Vegetable Skillet lately, making it at least once per week. There’s no chopping, it only takes a few ingredients, it’s super filling, packed with color and flavor, and it makes the perfect meal prep! Plus, it’s quite flexible and can take a lot of different random substitutions and add-ins!

skillet full of sausage and vegetables from above

What’s in the Sausage and Vegetable Skillet?

This meal is a result of me scavenging my fridge and freezer for whatever I had left and tossing it all into a skillet. And wouldn’t you know, it tasted great! The skillet basically includes some sort of seasoned meat (in this case sausage), frozen cauliflower, frozen peppers and onions, frozen kale, and your favorite seasoning.

What Kind of Meat to Use

It’s important to use some sort of pre-seasoned meat for this skillet for maximum flavor. In the photos here, I’ve used Italian sausage, but you could also use chorizo, or I’ve even used some leftover Chili Rubbed Pulled Pork. If you do plan to try this with a plain ground meat (turkey, chicken, pork, beef) you’ll want to add seasoning to the meat as it cooks as well as seasoning the skillet at the end.

What Else Can I Add?

You can experiment with adding other frozen vegetables, like broccoli, corn, peas, green beans, etc. Or try adding in some beans or roasted potatoes to bulk it up a bit. Another way to bulk this up is to increase the vegetables (you might want to increase the seasoning if you do so).

Extra toppings are always fun, like a fried egg, avocado, sour cream, cheese, salsa, or any other sauce or dressing that you like. But me? I keep it simple and just eat it as-is!

How to Serve Sausage and Vegetables

I’ve been eating this dish just the way it is straight out of the skillet, but if you want to bulk it up even more you can serve it over rice or mashed potatoes. A little Garlic Bread would also be awesome with this meal!

Sausage and Vegetables in glass meal prep containers.
Sausage and Vegetables in glass meal prep containers.

Sausage and Vegetable Skillet

This super fast and easy Sausage and Vegetable Skillet is the ultimate busy-day meal and is perfect for meal prep!
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Meal Prep
Cuisine American
Total Cost $8.91 recipe / $2.23 serving
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 about 1.25 cups each
Calories 484kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil $0.04
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage $5.99
  • 1/2 lb. frozen cauliflower florets $1.00
  • 1/2 lb. frozen peppers and onions $1.00
  • 1/4 lb. frozen kale $0.83
  • ½ tsp seasoning salt or seasoning blend (or to taste) $0.05

Instructions

  • Add the cooking oil and sausage to a skillet. Cook the sausage over medium heat until brown and crispy.
  • Add the cauliflower, peppers and onions, and kale to the skillet with the sausage. Continue to stir and cook until the vegetables are heated through.
  • Add a liberal amount (or to taste) of your favorite seasoning salt or seasoning blend and stir to combine. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 40g | Sodium: 1178mg | Fiber: 5g
Side view of sausage and vegetables in the skillet, close up.

How to Make Sausage and Vegetable Skillet – Step by Step Photos

Browned sausage in a skillet.

Add a tablespoon of cooking oil to a skillet and add the Italian sausage (or whatever seasoned meat you prefer). Cook the sausage until it is brown and crispy.

Frozen vegetables added to the skillet.

Add ½ lb. frozen cauliflower florets, ½ lb. frozen bell peppers and onions, and ¼ lb. frozen kale to the skillet. You don’t have to measure these exactly, just estimate based on the weight of the bag (if it’s a 12 oz. bag, estimate ⅔ of the bag to get ½ lb.).

Cooked vegetables and sausage in the skillet.

Continue to stir and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are heated through. Don’t overcook the vegetables.

Seasoning being sprinkled over the skillet.

Then just add a liberal amount of your favorite seasoning blend. I’m using Tony Chachere’s here, but you can use just about any seasoning blend. I tend to use seasoning blends that already contain salt, but if yours doesn’t, just keep in mind that you’ll want to add some salt to help make the flavors in the skillet pot.

Finished sausage and vegetable skillet.

And that’s it! The skillet is done! The fat and seasoning from the sausage adds a ton of flavor and richness to the entire skillet, and then the added seasoning at the end adds a final layer of flavor. It’s simple, but SO GOOD.

Sausage and vegetable skillet in glass meal prep containers.

And now my lunches for the next few days are done! :)

The post Sausage and Vegetable Skillet appeared first on Budget Bytes.

One Pot Veggie Rice Bowl

This simple veggie rice bowl can be made with just one pot and a hot plate, or a rice cooker. It’s a simple meal when resources are limited! BudgetBytes.com

The post One Pot Veggie Rice Bowl appeared first on Budget Bytes.

You can never have too many of these quick and easy “emergency” meals. Things you can whip up with very little effort, using things you probably have on hand. I love this One Pot Veggie Rice Bowl because it uses very few dishes, requires next to no chopping, and it’s perfect for people with limited cooking equipment (dorms, RVs, hotel stays). Plus, as always, there are plenty of ways to customize it. ;)

overhead view of veggie and rice bowl topped with sriracha

Cooking Rice and Eggs Together in One Pot

Last summer when talking about favorite potato salad recipes with our community, several people mentioned that they boil eggs for their salad right along with the potatoes in one pot. That got me thinking. It takes about 15 minutes to steam rice, which is really close to the amount of time it takes to hard boil an egg. So I had to try cooking rice and hard boiled eggs at the same time in one pot. Guess what? IT WORKS. But you definitely want to make to wash your egg(s) well first. ;)

Single Serving Recipe

This recipe is designed to be a quick and easy single serving meal for one. It’s perfect for those who are traveling or living in housing with limited cooking equipment. You can scale this up, if needed, by adjusting the number of servings in the recipe card below. Cooking times do not need to be adjusted if scaling the recipe up. Here is a similar recipe for One Pot Chicken Teriyaki and Rice that feeds four.

Use a Pot or Rice Cooker

The instructions below are for making this recipe using a saucepot on a burner or hotplate, but you can also do this using a rice cooker. To use a rice cooker, just add everything to the rice cooker in the same order as described below, then select the cook function. The only caveat with using a rice cooker is that you have a little less control over the cooking time, so if the programmed cooking time is too long, you may end up with an egg yolk that is a little green around the edges.

A green-tinged egg yolk is a classic sign that an egg has been overcooked. It does not mean that the egg is bad, rotten, or unsafe to eat and in most cases, it does not affect the flavor. It’s simply a chemical reaction between the naturally occurring hydrogen, sulfur, and iron in the egg that happens with a certain amount of heat exposure.

Can I Use Brown Rice?

This recipe is best used with white rice. Brown rice needs about three times longer to cook, at which point your egg and vegetables will be far overcooked. For best results, cook the brown rice separately.

What Else Can I Add to My Veggie Rice Bowl?

The other great thing about this bowl is just how flexible it is. You can use any type of frozen veggie mix (a stir fry mix works great), you can adjust the seasonings to your liking, and you can add all sorts of fun toppings if you happen to have them on hand! Here are some things that would taste great as an additional topping for your veggie rice bowl:

  • Avocado
  • Sesame seeds
  • Leftover cooked meat (ham, rotisserie chicken, etc.)
  • Shredded carrots
  • Kimchi
  • Cucumber
  • Sautéed spinach
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Jalapeño
  • Cilantro
  • Red bell pepper
Close up side view of one pot veggie rice bowl
Overhead view of a rice and veggie bowl

One Pot Veggie Rice Bowl

This simple veggie rice bowl can be made with just one pot and a hot plate, or a rice cooker. It's a simple meal when resources are limited!
Total Cost $1.29 per bowl
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 561kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup long grain white rice $0.31
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 1 cup frozen vegetables $0.38
  • 1 cup water $0.00
  • 2 tsp soy sauce, divided $0.04
  • 1 large egg $0.21
  • 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil $0.05
  • 1 green onion, sliced $0.11
  • 1 Tbsp sriracha (or to taste) $0.11

Instructions

  • Add the rice, garlic, and frozen vegetables to a small saucepot.
  • Combine the water with 1 teaspoon soy sauce, then pour that into the pot. Stir to combine with the rice, vegetables, and garlic.
  • Wash one large egg well, then place it in the center of the pot, on top of the rice.
  • Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat on to high, and allow the water to come up to a boil. Once it reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to low, and allow the water to continue to simmer for 15 minutes without removing the lid or stirring.
  • After 15 minutes of simmering, turn the heat off. Remove the egg from the pot and replace the lid right away. Allow the rice to rest with the heat turned off and the lid in place for another five minutes.
  • After removing the egg from the pot, place the egg in a bowl of ice water or place it under cold running water for a few minutes to stop the cooking process.
  • After letting the rice and veggies rest for five minutes, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Season the rice and veggies with the sesame oil and another 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or to taste.
  • Transfer the rice and vegetables to a bowl. Peel the egg and slice it in half or into quarters, then place it on top of the rice. Top the bowl with sliced green onion and a drizzle of sriracha.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 561kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 1190mg | Fiber: 9g

How to Make A One Pot Veggie Rice Bowl – Step by Step Photos

Rice, vegetables, and garlic in a pot

Combine ½ cup long grain white rice, 1 cup frozen vegetables, and one clove of minced garlic in a small saucepot.

soy sauce and water being poured into a pot

Combine 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Add that to the saucepot and stir everything to combine.

Egg added to the pot

Wash one large egg well, then place it in the center of the pot on top of the rice. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to high, and allow the water to come up to a full boil. Once the water reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to low and let it continue to simmer over low for 15 minutes without lifting the lid or stirring.

Egg being removed from the pot with cooked rice

After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and remove the egg from the pot. Replace the lid on the pot and let the rice rest for 5 more minutes. Place the hot egg in a bowl of ice water or run under cold water for a few minutes to stop the cooking process.

fluffed rice and vegetables in the pot

After letting the rice rest with the heat turned off and lid on for five minutes, remove the lid and fluff the rice and vegetables with a fork.

sesame oil being sprinkled over the rice

Season the rice and vegetables with ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil and another teaspoon of soy sauce, or to taste.

Sriracha being drizzled over the veggie rice bowl

Transfer the rice and veggies to a bowl. Peel your egg, cut it in half or quarters, and add it to the bowl. Top the bowl with sliced green onion and a drizzle of sriracha to taste. Enjoy!

Overhead view of a rice and veggie bowl

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