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Please let me explain the title of this post.

Bitchin California Bowl

I don’t mean to offend anyone in any way, but well, this bowl is all about the sauce. The sauce was inspired by the “bitchin’ sauce” that my cousin Abby has been telling me about for months. She buys it from the farmers market in San Diego, CA and she LOVES it. You can read all about it here.

Abby’s favorite is the cilantro chili flavor, so I decided to take that flavor and make my own Bitchin’ Sauce, which then turned into this pretty Bitchin’ California Bowl, which I am in love with!

I mean, it has all of my very favorite things, and it’s so pretty. Like just looking at it gives me a boost of energy, you know?? Trust me, I totally need an extra boost of energy these day!!

So anyway, please forgive the name if it offends you… and please just focus on the delicious layers of flavors within this bowl.

Bitchin California BowlBitchin California BowlBitchin California Bowl

So, I’m going to break this bowl down piece by piece, OK? Cool.

***Layer #1: your Bitchin’ Sauce, duh. If you live in California and know about this sauce than you know this sauce is legit. You can also go buy the real stuff and skip the homemade version to make your life a little simpler, BUT let me say that my homemade version is simple as can be and you can also adjust the flavors and texture to whatever your heart desires. All you need is a blender some almond butter, lemon, spices and a heck of a lot of cilantro…super sorry to all you cilantro haters out there…you guys can make/buy the original Bitchin’ Sauce which has zero cilantro. 🙂

BONUS: the Bitchin’ Sauce doubles as a KILLER dip for chips, crackers and veggies of all kinds. Score!

***Layer #2: your grains, aka the must have of any “bowl” recipe. I went with cooked barley in true Cali style, but quinoa works great two!

***Layer #3: the protein. A lot of times I will keep my bowl recipes vegetarian, but for my Cali bowls I really wanted to do a pesto roasted chicken + pesto roasted chickpeas. If you are vegetarian, just omit the chicken and double the chickpeas…either way pesto anything is a delicious addition to these healthy bowls!

***Layer #4: the veggies + fruits… my favorite part!! Roasted beets, radishes, artichokes, cucumbers, watercress, blood oranges, jalapeno slices and avocado…so basically the most epic combo of Cali’s best fruits + veggies!

***Layer #5: the toppings/finishing touches. Toasted walnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds and um cotija cheese, YESS.

So do you now you see what I am talking about??? So many layers of goodness and all packed into one KILLER bowl, hehe, this makes me so happy!! 🙂

Bitchin California BowlBitchin California Bowl

Bitchin California Bowl

Also, bowl food? I’m curious, how do we feel about it? Clearly I am for it, but I want to know, are you guys still into it… or totally over it?!?

Oh and um, on a random note I totally forgot to tell you guys how Red did in the US Open last Friday. Sorry, I know a lot of you have been wondering, but I just got swamped…what’s new, right?

ANYWAY, Red kind of KILLED it. He got 5th, which yes is not first, but for his age the kid KILLED it. This now ranks him 8th in the World Snowboarding points list, so pretty dang awesome. If you would like to watch his run, click here. He’s actually supposed to head off to China to compete in the World Cup (TTR Olympics) but I think he has decided to stay back and film for a movie part he is doing. He went to China last year and well, let’s just say he was NOT really into it. Things are pretty different over there and he’s only 15, I think he just wants some time home chilling with the fam. I get that.

If only I could get Red to eat one of these killer Bitchin’ California Bowls, but let’s be honest, Red would never go near a bowl of food this colorful. Somehow I’ve got to figure out a way to ease him into these types of healthier dishes. Maybe just the Bitchin’ Sauce on top of a bowl of lettuce and carrots with cheese… something simple. For now though, I’m sure he would much more prefer something like these cookies!!

Bitchin California BowlBitchin California Bowl

Bitchin' California Bowl.

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 Bowls
Calories Per Serving: 1379 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

  • 4 red or yellow beets quartered or halved
  • 1 bunch radishes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt + pepper to taste
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders (omit if vegan)
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas rinsed
  • 1/2 cup homemade pesto or store bought
  • 2-3 cups cooked barley and or quinoa
  • 8 ounces marinated artichokes drained
  • 2 blood oranges grapefruits and or kiwi, sliced
  • 1-2 avocados sliced
  • 1-2 jalapenos sliced + seeded if desired
  • 1/3 cup walnuts toasted
  • 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds toasted
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbed
  • fresh microgreens dill, parsley, cilantro + lemons, for serving

Cilantro Chili Bitchin Sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Peel the beets if desired (I prefer to leave the skin on my beets). Place the beets and radishes on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper. On a separate baking sheet add the chicken and toss with 1/4 cup of the pesto. Place both pans in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, give the veggies a toss and add the chickpeas to the pan with chicken. Toss the remaining 1/4 cup pesto with the chickpeas until the chickpeas are well coated. Return both pans to the oven and continue roasting for another 10 minutes or until the veggies are lightly charred, the chicken cooked through and the chickpeas warmed. Cooking times for the chicken will vary depending on it's size.
  • Allow the chicken to rest five minutes and slice.
  • To assemble the bowls, divide the barley between bowls. Add the artichokes, chickpeas and toss together with the barley. Add the chicken, beets + radishes and then add the citrus, avocado + jalapenos. Sprinkle walnuts, pumpkin seeds and cotija cheese. Serve with the Bitchin Sauce (see below).

Cilantro Chili Bitchin Sauce

  • Combine all ingredients in a high powdered blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth or creamy. If needed, add water to thin the sauce out. The sauce should be the consistency of hummus or just slightly thinner if desired. Taste and adjust the salt to your liking. The sauce can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.

Notes

*it's best to use almond butter with no ingredients other than almonds and salt. You can also make you own almond butter by grinding 2 cups almonds in a high powdered blender or food processor until creamy.
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Bitchin California Bowl

Bowls for us….ok ok, and then the cookies. I mean, obviously. 🙂

Bitchin California Bowl

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Comments

  1. That cilantro chili sauce does sound bitchin’! Cannot wait to top pretty much everything with it 🙂

    Reply

  2. Haha well I must say, I live in SD and follow your blog religiously and I Love the title of this bowl! However, as a true California I must ask, would you ever try chicken with an asada sauce? If you’ve visited SD we call it pollo asada and it’s a more Hispanic flavoring but it’s delicious!!

    Reply

    1. Umm, what is asada sauce?! Looking that up now! 🙂

      Thanks so much, Jessica! Hope you are having a great week!

      Reply

  3. Ps—I live in San Diego and just found a farmer’s market where I can get some sauce (and a bowl to go with it) TODAY! As you like to say, yesssss!!!

    Reply

  4. Oh so into it! Will never be over a bitchin’ bowl! Making this one asap! (With store-bought sauce. I am one of the aforementioned cilantro haters!) Thanks for another brilliant recipe!!!

    Reply

  5. Ha! Love the title. My husband and I are getting ready to move to Cali and I will definitely be on the lookout for that sauce. YUM!

    Reply

  6. I live in California….. that’s definitely a bitchen bowl of goodness right there!! I can’t wait to try that sauce!!! Looks and sounds amazing!

    Reply

  9. Hi, T. I follow your blog and live your recipes and photography. One question – what’s up with almond butter? Many recipes (not just yours) include it, but at my local market and trader joes it’s $8 a jar! More even at whole foods. Is it the CA drought? Can I sub peanut butter? Thank you for all you do.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Lori! I am thrilled you enjoy my recipes! 🙂

      I used almond butter for a more neutral taste and because I love it. You can use peanut butter for sure, but it will change the flavor a bit. That said, I am sure peanut butter will be so delicious! Also, I have no idea why almond butter is so much money, but the draught is a good guess. Thanks again and let me know if you have any other questions.

      Reply

  10. I could see why some might be offended by the title but I’m totally not. As for bowl food, OMG, it could never get old and this was looks insanely amazing! Oh, and that’s so awesome about Red! He’s incredible!

    Reply

  11. I like the title, has a nice ring to it 😉 Plus, when you have a bowl looking that good, it deserves a great title! I could devour this goodness in seconds. Seriously, WOW!

    Reply

  13. What a beauty! I am so excited for this dish.. because I totally have all the ingredients in my fridge right now– roasted beets and chicken breast included, so I just need to reheat. So making this tonight, who needs cookies?! Oh, and I totally can envision answering to my husband tonight that we are having “Bitchin bowl” for dinner 🙂 Love it!

    Reply

  14. I’m still so into bowl foods!! This sounds amazing, pity that when I was in San Diego I never came across this sauce, feel like I really missed out! Good thing I can make it at home with your recipe now 🙂

    Reply

  15. No offense at the name at all & none should be taken by anyone. A figure of speech I’ve heard for years, like… totally rad! As in this dish looks totally rad, or totally bitchin’ lol. Anyway i’m new to this bowl thing, just started & this is gonna be on my list of ones to make asap.
    & Wow, on your brother. He is doing excellent, clearly alot of talent & at such a young age. Congrats to him!
    …ah, picky eaters, yep, I’ve got three kids, & the older two are starting to try more things, so there is hope for him in the food dept.

    Reply

      1. Hey, I finally made this bowl & it’s really great! We made it into 4 lunches & it’s very filling. Never had anything like these bowls, this is number two I’ve made from you. we will make again.
        & Congrats on your Blog award win, I voted for you a few times.
        Hope Spring comes for you quick.
        Cheers!
        🙂

        Reply