With a house full of guests and a fridge full of leftovers, the last thing we feel like doing after Thanksgiving is cooking again! Enter the harvest Thanksgiving bowl: a flexible recipe filled with remnants from all the dishes from the holiday table, which makes tossing together a crowd-pleasing meal as easy as (pumpkin) pie. Learn how from Certified Eating Psychology and Nutrition Expert, Elise Museles…
When it’s time to eat lunch or dinner, heat the dishes that are best served hot. Then spread out a build-your-own-bowl bar, and let everyone mix and match their ingredients their way. No two bowls are alike… and everyone ends up happy, all without a recipe!
How To Build A Thanksgiving Harvest Bowl
To make sure that the bowls are balanced in flavor, texture, and nutrition, choose ingredients from each category. Bonus points for going heavy on the veggies. After you gather your ingredients, simply add everything into a bowl! Serve immediately, and feel good about finishing all the leftovers from your holiday meal while also reducing food waste, too.
Get in Your Greens | After a big meal, greens can help the body feel lighter, energized, and cleansed. USE: spinach, kale, shredded Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, Mustard greens, arugula, Bok choy, pea shoots, or any other leafy greens.
Load Up On Veggies | Toss in unlimited raw, roasted, steamed or grilled veggies. The array of colors will add brightness to your bowl along with a hefty dose of phytonutrients, too. USE: carrots, peppers, beets, roasted eggplant, asparagus, Brussels, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, shredded cabbage, onion, jicama
Include A Grain or Starch | A Thanksgiving Bowl wouldn’t feel complete without a complex carb to balance it out! USE: quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, even stuffing
Always Add Protein | Keep blood sugar stable by adding in a dose of animal or plant-based protein. USE: turkey or beans for a vegetarian option
Don’t forget the fats | A good dose of healthy fats is the most satiating part of the meal! USE: seeds, nuts, avocado, a drizzle of pumpkin or olive oil
Top it off | Top your bowl with dressings and sauces. Finish up the condiments while adding flavor to your creation! USE: gravy, cranberry sauce, or a drizzle of olive oil
