A yum yum bowl is fresh, healthy, and full of so much flavor.
Basmati rice forms the base of this bowl, topped with chickpeas, cucumbers, and shredded carrots. Sprinkle some peanuts and cilantro on top. Lastly drizzle on some yum yum sauce (which is the star of the show!) for a quick, easy, and perfect dinner.
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A Quick and Delicious Dinner
The first night I made a yum yum bowl I wasn’t sure what my husband would think. He’s always up for trying new things and I did think the sauce was yummy… But not only did he like it, he LOVED it and has since requested it weekly.
- Less than 20 minutes to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Full of flavor and uses ingredients you likely already have at home.
- So refreshing, perfect for a quick summer dinner.
- An easy vegetarian meal packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas that have been rinsed and drained make this recipe quick and add a healthy protein. The protein of your choice can be substituted here, tofu is great option!
Rice: Basmati rice goes well with the flavors of the dish however any type of rice can be used. Brown rice can be substituted for a boost in nutrition or any minute rice to speed this dinner up or cauliflower rice if you are looking for a low carb option! To switch it up, use rice noodles as the base.
Fresh Veggies: Cucumbers and carrots are my go-to. Sugar snap peas, lettuce, and bean sprouts are also great additions.
Yum Yum Sauce: This sauce brings the dish all together. A little sweet, a little creamy, a little savory, and a little spicy… Yum yum sauce has a little bit of everything making it the perfect sauce.
What is Yum Yum Sauce Made of?
Yum yum sauce is what makes this dish so delicious! It has a creamy mayonnaise base and has ketchup, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika. All blended together it is the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and tart. It’s similar to a spicy mayo, but with way more flavor!
How to Make Yum Yum Bowls
In a quick 20 minutes and only a few steps, this dinner will be on the table making it a weeknight favorite!
- Prepare rice, vegetables, and yum yum sauce.
- Sauté garlic and add chickpeas cooking until crispy. Add soy sauce to pan and cook until reduced.
- Build yum yum bowls and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- This bowl can be served either hot or cold. For a refreshing summer dish, chill the rice and chickpeas while preparing the vegetables.
- In a pinch, using microwaveable rice makes this dinner SO quick!
- Double the sauce and keep it on hand to use as a vegetable dipper.
Other Easy Dinner Recipes
Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl – another vegetable forward bowl
Kale Caesar Salad – a classic
Vitamix Tomato Soup – less than 15 minutes
Greek Quinoa Salad – perfect for meal prep
Yum Yum Bowl
Equipment
- Frying Pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon garlic
- 1 can chickpeas approximately 2 cups
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cups basmati rice cooked
- 1 cucumber diced
- 3 carrots shredded
- ¼ cup peanuts chopped
- cilantro optional
Yum Yum Sauce
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon paprika
Instructions
- Add olive oil and garlic to pan. Cook garlic over medium high heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add chickpeas and cook for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime add all sauce ingredients into a small mixing bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Add soy sauce to chickpeas and cook for 1-2 minutes until soy sauce is reduced.
- Build yum yum bowls. Start by adding rice to bottom of the bowl. Add chickepas, cucumber, and carrots. Sprinkle peanuts and cilantro on top. Drizzle with sauce.
Notes
- Serve either hot or chilled.
- Nutrition information does not include sauce.
I made this dinner for my family and it became an instant favourite. It’s been added to our roster of quick and tasty weekday dinners – a must try!
I am so happy to hear this recipe is a hit with your family Erin!
So delicious! I had to try this for supper tonight and we were not disappointed. So fresh and so yummy, perfect for summer!
I am so happy to hear that you loved this summer perfect recipe!