The Radical Act of Eating

By: Bella Carbone

Today I made myself a hearty, nutritious meal for dinner and it was delicious as well. The food was so tasty it inspired me to write. I was apprehensive to write this because I was thinking to myself how is posting a recipe relevant to my radical blog? But that is when I thought to myself that finding the time to buy fresh, healthy ingredients, to prepare and cook yourself a meal that's both balanced and flavorful is not only a privilege, it is radical. I think that for someone like me who has not only struggled with eating in general, eating healthy, has PCOS which is directly affected by your eating habits, and struggles to find time and energy to cook, choosing something nourishing as well as the act of eating is truly revolutionary. It is also an act of self-care on one of the deepest levels. Our eating has an undeniable effect on our overall health and well-being. Just as it is self-care to enjoy the treats we crave, it is self-care to put into our body the essential nutrients, vitamins, and foods our bodies need. Without further adieu, here is my poke-inspired bowl:

Sushi Rice:

Cook sushi rice according to the package. Season with sesame oil, rice vinegar, and garlic salt once cooked. Allow rice to come to room temperature so, it does not heat the cold toppings.

Protein:

My protein of choice was shrimp. I am a huge fan of shrimp, I buy it frozen and it’s a great, lean protein choice. I would also recommend tofu or canned tuna as a cost-friendlier or meat-free option. If you are the type to splurge sushi salmon is one of my favorite poke toppings! Cook your protein on the stove in some oil and garlic. Add your protein alongside this sauce: soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and chili crunch. I don’t usually measure, I use my heart but I know that is not always making cooking the most accessible. So, I would do about an equal ratio of all of the ingredients except for soy sauce. Soy sauce should be a 2:1 ratio to everything else. Also, taste it and make adjustments based on your tastebuds!

Assemble Bowl:

Put down a bed of leafy greens of choice, I went with spring mix. I topped mine with light sushi rice but if you prefer a heavier rice base you can always go with that! Add your veggie toppings. I included cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, red onions, and kimchi. I would personally go with green onion instead of red but you use what you have on hand (aka I’m not making another grocery store run). Then you add on your protein. Finish it off with a sauce and crunch. I did a hot honey gochugaru tahini dressing. My crunch was some crispy onions and sesame seeds. I would also do wonton crisps if you're feeling frisky. 

Hot Honey Gochugaru Tahini Dressing:

Two spoonfuls of tahini and hot honey. Add a half tablespoon of gochugaru or more if you like it spicy ;) Add a spoonful of soy sauce (I use lower sodium soy sauce). Season with a teaspoon of garlic powder. Boom you have a delicious sauce.

The best part about this is it is less of a recipe and more of a meal inspiration that you can take and modify with whatever ingredients you have access to or prefer and enjoy it your way. This has protein, carbohydrates, and plenty of vegetables so it is balanced, and it leaves you feeling full and feeling good after eating it. Try this bowl yourself, maybe it will be so good you’ll start your own blog.