Mediterranean Bowl

Who doesn't love a good gyro? I know I do. Whenever I make gyros, it is a multiple hour affair because I make my own pita, hummus, falafel, etc. but it is SO worth it. Because it is SO good. But sometimes, I have the ingredients, I want the gyro, but I don't want to do all the work....so I've turned it into a bowl.

Yes, these bowls take just about as much work because I still make my own hummus and falafel, but I didn't make pita bread. So that is easily an hour back into my day. So if you didn't buy pita bread at the store, or don't have time to make it (it is really easy by the way) then a bowl is a great option for you.

Also, another reason I turned this into a bowl is because I am on a stupid cleanse. You've probably all heard me griping on instagram about this yeast cleanse I am on for 30 days. It SUCKS. It literally has sucked all the joy out of my life. I was talking with my husband and I said, "Food is my love language. And I feel like everything I love about food has been taken away. Last night I dreamed about oatmeal. And it was so delicious. And when I woke up and realized I couldn't have a big bowl of oatmeal with bananas and peanut butter and honey, I almost cried." My husband laughed so hard. Because seriously, who dreams and drools over oatmeal? I do. Who longs for oatmeal? I do. Most people would say, you want oatmeal? Go for it. Eat all the oatmeal you want because it is SO GOOD FOR YOU, unless your body is full of yeast. Then it's not. So word to the wise, TAKE YOUR PROBIOTICS. I was lazy about it and am paying the price in the worst possible way.

Anyway, I haven't had this recipe since being on the cleanse but if you sub the wheat germ/flour for flax and don't put vinegar on the cucumber salad and nix the pita, I should be good. Also, I normally use couscous, not kosher with the diet, but I didn't have any this day so I used quinoa.

Ingredients

Falafel

1 Can Garbanzo Beans

¼ Yellow Onion, diced

1 Medium Carrot, chopped

¼ c Fresh Parsley (or 2 tsp dried)

⅛ c Toasted Wheat Germ, Flour, or Bread Crumbs

½ tsp Cumin

⅛ tsp Coriander (plus pinch more)

Cayenne Pepper

¼ and ⅛ tsp Baking Soda

1 T Lemon Juice

½ T Olive Oil

Cucumber Salad

1 Cucumber, diced

3 Roma Tomatoes, diced

Fresh Mint, roughly chopped

Dill, to taste

Balsamic Vinegar, to taste

1 c Quinoa, uncooked

Hummus

Spinach

Non-dairy Yogurt

Maple Syrup

Fresh Mint

Dill

Directions

1. Combine quinoa with 2 c water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until soft.

2. Meanwhile, make falafel. Puree everything (except ½ beans) until smooth.

3.Add beans until roughly chopped.

4. Make 2” patties or balls on baking sheet and freeze 15 minutes.

5. Bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes OR cook in air fryer at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, shake every 5 minutes.

6. While quinoa and falafel are cooking, chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and mint. Combine in a bowl with dill and vinegar to taste.

7. If making your own hummus you can find my recipe here. If not, just pull it out of the fridge.

8. Combine 1 c non-dairy yogurt with a little maple syrup, mint, and dill for the sauce.

9. Build your bowl and ENJOY