Vegan Dragon Bowls with Miso Gravy

These dragon bowls are inspired by a vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver called The Naam. They feature crispy, oil-free baked fries, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, fresh veggies like beets and carrot and the best homemade miso gravy.

The veggies are placed in a bowl and topped with the addictive miso gravy made for a flavorful and nutrient-packed meal you’ll keep definitely keep on rotation.  It’s one of my favourites!

Features

• Dietary features: vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free.
• Packed with nutrient-dense vegetables!
• The homemade miso gravy is simple and easy to make and can be used to top many other dishes.
• Easy to customize with different veggies, grains and proteins.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Potato: Use russet potato or Yukon gold. You can also try sweet potato to switch it up!
• Broccoli and Cauliflower: These two cruciferous veggies add tons of nutrition, flavor and texture to the bowls. If you’re missing one or the other though, no big deal! These bowls are easily customizable.
• Beet and Carrot: These two are used raw and grated. They add texture, nutrition and a bit of sweetness to the bowls. Again, if you only have one or other, that’s ok, though both are best!
• Tomato and Cucumber: These are both added fresh and raw as well. Again, if you only have one on hand or don’t like tomatoes like me, go ahead and mix and match.
• Broth: Any kind of vegetable broth or stock can be used. Carton, homemade or powder/cubes all work fine.
• Flour: Use brown rice flour, spelt flour, all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, make sure you choose the brown rice flour option.
• Miso Paste: Use white or yellow mild miso paste. If you’re not familiar, miso paste is a fermented soy bean paste used to add amazing umami flavour to all kinds of dishes. It’s easy to find in well-stocked grocery stores or any Asian food market.
• Nutritional Yeast: This adds more depth of flavour to the gravy. If you’re not familiar, read all about nutritional yeast here.
• Arrowroot or Cornstarch: Used for thickening the gravy, either works fine!
• Soy Sauce: Swap for gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Roast the Potatoes. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Slice the potatoes and toss with salt and pepper. Prepare a pan with parchment paper, a silicone baking mat or give it a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. Line the potatoes on it so they each have some space around them.

Bake for 25 minutes then flip and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy. While the potatoes are baking, first prep the vegetables, then make the miso gravy.

Step 2. Steam the Broccoli & Cauliflower. Cut  the broccoli and cauliflower in florets. Place them all in a steamer basket. Add about 1″ of water to a pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat.

Once the water is boiling, place the steamer basket with the broccoli and cauliflower inside, cover with a lid and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the broccoli and cauliflower are brightly coloured and cooked al dente. Remove the steamer basket from the pot and set aside. If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can steam them in a shallow pan with just a bit water.

Try not to overcook them. They should be brightly coloured and still have some crunch to them when ready.

Step 3. Prepare The Raw Veggies. Peel and finely grate the beets and carrots. Slice the tomatoes and cucumbers into bite sized pieces. 

Optional: For an added layer of deliciousness and a boost in protein, you can add grated cheese and tofu to the bowls. Prepare those now as well, if using.

Step 4. Make The Miso Gravy. To make the gravy, add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat until it thickens, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 5. Assemble the dragon bowls. Divide the roasted fries amongst serving bowls. If you’re adding tofu and grated cheese, sprinkle them over the fries and then add some of the miso gravy, reserving some for drizzling on top of the finished bowls.

Divide the steamed cauliflower and broccoli and the rest of the veggies amongst the bowls and drizzle each with the remaining gravy.

Tips for Oil-Free Fries

• Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan, each fry should have a little space around it. This is key for crispy fries!
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and any spices you like before roasting. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and chili powder all work well.
• Preheat the oven before baking.

Notes

• The potato can be substituted with your choice of grain such as brown rice or quinoa. Use about 1/2 cup per bowl. Sweet potato works too!
• The veggies are easy to mix and match so don’t worry if you don’t have exact amounts of everything.
• Chickpeas make a good addition if you’re not adding the tofu.
• I like to top the bowls with fresh sprouts for even more nutriton and texture.
• The veggie amounts can be adjusted for however many bowls you’re making. I use 1 small-medium sized potato per bowl and about 1/2 cup each of the other veggies but the amounts don’t need to be exact.
• The gravy makes enough for 4 bowls but leftovers can be stored in the fridge and used for other things. Try it over rice, tofu scramble, mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, roasted vegetables or other bowls like this nourish bowl or farro bowl. It’s also the perfect dip for fries!

Storing Instructions

• Extra miso gravy will last up to 5 days in a sealed jar or container in the fridge.
• Storing: Dragon bowls can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days though are definitely best enjoyed fresh. I recommend storing the miso gravy separately until serving, if possible.
• Freezing: This recipe is not freezer friendly.