Pin A vibrant spread of customizable boards and bowls, perfect for social gatherings. Guests mix and match fresh ingredients to create their own personalized meals, fun, engaging, and sure to please every palate.
I first introduced build‑your‑own boards and bowls at our family's annual spring get-together. Everyone loved being able to create a meal to their taste, and it made serving effortless and memorable!
Ingredients
- Grilled chicken breast: 400 g, sliced
- Marinated tofu: 400 g, grilled or baked, cubed
- Cooked shrimp: 400 g, peeled and deveined
- Falafel balls: 350 g, store-bought or homemade
- Jasmine rice: 4 cups, cooked
- Quinoa: 4 cups, cooked
- Romaine lettuce: 2 large heads, chopped
- Cherry tomatoes: 2 cups, halved
- Cucumber: 1, sliced
- Red bell pepper: 1, sliced
- Shredded carrots: 1 cup
- Edamame: 1 cup, cooked
- Roasted sweet potato: 1 cup, cubed
- Crumbled feta cheese: 1 cup (or vegan alternative)
- Sliced olives: 1/2 cup
- Pickled red onions: 1/2 cup
- Toasted nuts or seeds: 1/2 cup (almonds, pumpkin seeds)
- Hummus: 1/2 cup
- Tzatziki: 1/2 cup
- Sriracha mayo or spicy yogurt sauce: 1/2 cup
- Chopped fresh herbs: 1/4 cup (parsley, cilantro, mint)
- Lemon-tahini dressing: as needed
- Olive oil & balsamic vinegar: as needed
- Soy-ginger vinaigrette: as needed
Instructions
- Prepare Proteins:
- Prepare all protein options according to preference (grill, bake, or sauté chicken, tofu, shrimp, and falafel). Keep warm or at room temperature.
- Cook Grains & Bases:
- Cook grains as directed and fluff with a fork. Arrange cooked rice, quinoa, and chopped lettuce in separate serving bowls.
- Prep Fresh Vegetables:
- Wash and chop fresh vegetables. Arrange in individual bowls or on a large platter.
- Organize Toppings & Sauces:
- Assemble toppings and sauces in small bowls.
- Arrange Meal Components:
- Set out all components on a large table or counter, grouping by category for easy access.
- Set Serving Utensils:
- Provide serving utensils for each item.
- Invite Guests:
- Invite guests to build their own bowls or plates, starting with a base, adding proteins, vegetables, toppings, and finishing with dressings and herbs.
Pin At our last family party, kids stacked their bowls with sweet potatoes and feta while the adults enjoyed mixing global flavors like sriracha mayo and lemon-tahini—all with plenty of laughs around the table.
Required Tools
Large serving platters and bowls, serving utensils, small bowls for sauces and toppings, tongs and spoons.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (feta, tzatziki), eggs (mayonnaise), soy (tofu, edamame, soy sauce), nuts/seeds (toppings), potential gluten (falafel, sauces, dressings), and crustacean shellfish (shrimp). Always check all labels thoroughly to prevent any allergic reactions.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (typical bowl): Calories: 420, Total Fat: 14 g, Carbohydrates: 48 g, Protein: 22 g.
Pin Interactive boards and bowls make entertaining easy and fun. With endless combinations, every guest leaves happy and satisfied.
Recipe Questions
- → How can I prepare proteins for the boards?
Grill, bake, or sauté chicken, tofu, shrimp, and falafel. Keep warm or serve at room temperature for flexibility.
- → Which grains work best as bases?
Use jasmine rice, quinoa, and chopped lettuce as main bases. Feel free to add more options for variety.
- → What extra toppings should I offer?
Include feta, olives, pickled onions, toasted seeds or nuts, hummus, tzatziki, spicy sauces, and fresh herbs.
- → How do guests build their own meals?
Set out ingredients grouped by category, then invite guests to layer bases, proteins, vegetables, toppings, and sauces.
- → How can I make the spread gluten-free or vegan?
Provide certified gluten-free falafel and sauces, omit animal proteins and dairy, and offer extra plant-based options.
- → What wine pairs well with this meal?
Consider a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir to complement the varied flavors on your boards and bowls.