Wondering what to cook for dinner this Meatless Monday? I’ve got the solution. In my Chinese Style Broccoli and Cashew Rice Bowl, tender crisp broccoli, crunchy cashews and nutty brown rice combine in a deliciously healthy vegetarian main dish that takes only a few minutes to prepare.
Every week I buy an organic fruit and vegetable box from Abel and Cole, and they often tuck a recipe or two inside the box as well. This recipe was inspired by their Brocconut Noodles.
This broccoli and cashew rice bowl is a nutritional superstar. Broccoli contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. And despite their reputation, provided they have not been roasted in oil and heavily salted, cashews are a very healthy ingredient as well. Lower in fat than most other nuts, the fat they do contain is high in oleic acid, the same healthy fat found in olive oil. Brown rice will keep you full for longer, and contains selenium, manganese, antioxidants and fibre.
The flavours in this dish are very mild, making it suitable for all the family. Plus, there’s something so relaxing and comforting about eating supper from a bowl at the end of the day. If you want a tasty, nutritious, family-friendly and filling vegetarian meal that’s on the table quickly, this is definitely the dish for you. It’s even faster than take out!
Chinese Style Broccoli and Cashew Rice Bowl
Ingredients
- ¾ cup brown rice
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 cups broccoli cut in small florets
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated OR ½ teaspoon dried ginger
- 1 tablespoon low salt soy sauce plus extra to serve
- 1 tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rice in boiling salted water according to package directions. When the rice is cooked, drain, set aside and keep warm.
- Steam the broccoli over boiling water for about three minutes until tender but still a bit crisp. Drain, set aside and keep warm.
- Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over medium heat until it is quite hot. Tip in the cashews and toast them, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until they are just beginning to take on a bit of colour. This can happen very quickly, so don't look away even for a second. Remove the cashews from the pan and set aside.
- Carefully, add the sesame oil to the now empty frying pan (it may spit a bit) and return it to the heat.
- Add the garlic and fresh ginger and stir fry for one minute. (If using dried ginger, wait until the next step to add it.)
- Pour in the soy sauce and honey (and the dried ginger if using instead of fresh) and allow the mixture to bubble up a bit.
- Stir in the cooked rice and cashews and stir fry for a moment or two.
- Gently add the broccoli and lightly stir through. You want the florets to remain whole if possible.
- Taste and add salt and/or pepper if necessary.
- Divide the mixture between two bowls and serve with extra soy sauce, if desired.
Notes
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Comments & Reviews
Love this dish, April. My partner is an absolute broccoli lover (would eat it every day if he could), so I’m always looking for new ways to serve it up. I know he’d absolutely love this dish, especially with the noodles, so I will definitely be making this for him before the week is out. Thanks for sharing it.
Love the new look to your website, by the way. It’s great 🙂
We love broccoli too. I don’t know what it is, but it’s just so good! Thank you for the compliment, Sue. I’m so glad you like the new look 🙂
I love broccoli paired with nuts. And I imagine the nuttiness of brown rice plays nicely too. I’m trying to get back in the habit of eating meatless 1-2 times a week and am looking for filling meals. Thank you for linking up this week.
It’s a pleasure, Michelle. I’m trying to eat more meatless meals as well.
April I love rice, the addition of broccoli and nuts sounds wonderful. I am highlighting this recipe on this weeks Hearth and Soul blog hop.
Thank you, Swathi 🙂
This sounds amazingly delicious! I am adding this to my menu next week.