Easy Sauces for Grain Bowls

By lorik

The secret to a good grain bowl is the sauce! Each of these 5 easy sauces includes about six ingredients and can be blended together in minutes.

Ingredients

• ORANGE TAHINI SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 clove garlic
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• SPICY SRIRACHA PEANUT SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 to 2 tablespoons Sriracha
• MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE SAUCE:
• 1 cup pitted olives
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• HOISIN GINGER SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• HERBED GOAT CHEESE SAUCE:
• 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs, chopped (any combination of chives, parsley, basil, and mint)
• Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Orange Tahini Sauce:

This is the "go-with-everything" sauce. Need a basic to keep in the fridge? This is the sauce to keep on hand. It pairs with just about any and every type of grain bowl and makes a delicious dipping sauce for fresh veggies. With its savory sesame flavor, hint of sweetness, and orange undertone, this sauce is the grain bowl staple.

Combine ingredients and then blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper.

Makes 3/4 cups

Spicy Sriracha peanut sauce:

First you get the sweet and salty peanut-soy flavor, and then a spicy kick from Sriracha slowly sneaks up on you. This is my favorite kind of spicy sauce — where the heat isn't immediate. Use this sauce to boost everything from chicken and steak, to tofu, lentils, beans, and veggies.

Combine ingredients, then blend until well-combined.

Makes 3/4 cup

Mediterranean Olive Sauce:

Dress up your grain bowl with bright and briny punch. This salty olive sauce, balanced with lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, is a match for Greek and Italian-inspired bowls and anything and everything grilled.

Combine ingredients, then blend until you reach your desired consistency.

Makes 3/4 cup

Hoisin Ginger Sauce:

Hoisin brings umami flavor and a touch of sweetness to this sharp and gingery sauce. The toasty notes from sesame oil prevent it from becoming overly sweet. Use this sauce to give your Asian-inspired grain bowls a boost, or pair with fish like salmon, cod, halibut, and tilapia.

Combine ingredients, then blend until smooth.

Makes 1/2 cup

Herbed Goat Cheese Sauce:

Cheese-lovers, rejoice! This creamy, tangy goat cheese sauce loaded with a mix of fresh herbs is right up your alley. This is the kind of sauce you'll want to spoon over bowls loaded with chicken, fresh and roasted veggies, and anything Mexican-inspired.

Combine goat cheese, olive oil and 2 tablespoons water, then blend until smooth. Stir in fresh herbs and season to taste with salt and fresh-ground black pepper.

Makes 1/2 cup