We own some great cookbooks. And while they're beautiful pieces of art, they're also almost completely useless.
I know that I'm not being fair. I have learned from them in the past and they're definitely fun for a weekend project, but I don't see them as books that actually help people eat well on a regular basis.
It's difficult to believe that anyone has the time or interest to cook by complicated, time-intensive recipes day-in and day-out. Who wants to put in the effort to buy specific ingredients, prepare and clean up a complicated dish to prepare a single meal? Especially when the product doesn't even turn out that much better than a simpler alternative.
The foundation of our own diet is something we call a "Keto Bowl." It's a simple dish with endless varieties and it's perfect for eating simply and well, even in a small space.
The basic structure is simple and always the same: herb salad + protein + veggies. By varying the core ingredients and relying on simple yet nuanced cooking techniques, this understated dish will feel new almost every evening.
Let's start by laying out the basic Herb Salad, then follow up with a few ways that you might change things around.
The Herb Salad
- A bunch of cilantro
- A bunch of fresh basil
- Mesculin mix with chopped baby bok choy
- Fresh lime juice
- Extra-virgin olive oil
Optional: nuts (macadamia, walnut, pecan, etc.), sprouts (broccoli, alfalfa, kale), hemp seeds or other delights.
The Protein & Veggies
- Pan-roasted grass-fed beef (ground, ribeye, or hanger), fish, eggs, or other protein
- Charred or roasted veggies (asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts)
You can switch up the dish in about a million ways and it will always be healthy, fresh, and exploding with flavor. Nine times out of ten, we prepare it exactly as described above and it tastes delicious (and different!) every time. If you do want to mix it up, here are a few sources of inspiration.
Variations
Variation 1
- Herb Salad with apple cider vinegar instead of lime juice
- Scrambled eggs
- Salmon roe, smoked kippers, sardines, or other fish
- Extra macadamia nuts on top
Variation 2
- Herb Salad with roasted baby bok choy and mung bean sprouts (no mesculin mix)
- Roasted asparagus
- Scrambled eggs with chopped, thick-sliced bacon and cilantro
- Sprouts on top
- Use celery sticks to eat
- Optional: salmon roe (or other) on top
It's taken us our entire lives to ease into a tradition of elegance through simplicity, but through that transition we've come to appreciate the beauty in the small variations. Regardless of your path, we hope you find some inspiration while you're here!