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 brought out a build-your-own board for a casual weekend get-together, and it was a huge hit. Everyone enjoyed choosing their favorite combos and the table buzzed with fun conversation and creativity.
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
- Cooked jasmine rice: 4 cups
- Cooked quinoa: 4 cups
- Romaine lettuce: 2 large heads, chopped
- Cherry tomatoes: 2 cups, halved
- Cucumber: 1, sliced
- Red bell pepper: 1, sliced
- Shredded carrots: 1 cup
- Cooked edamame: 1 cup
- Roasted sweet potato cubes: 1 cup
- 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 and bases:
- Cook grains as directed and fluff with a fork. Arrange cooked rice, quinoa, and chopped lettuce in separate serving bowls.
- Prep vegetables:
- Wash and chop fresh vegetables. Arrange in individual bowls or on a large platter.
- Arrange toppings & sauces:
- Assemble toppings and sauces in small bowls.
- Set up the spread:
- Set out all components on a large table or counter, grouping by category for easy access.
- Provide utensils:
- Provide serving utensils for each item.
- Serve:
- Invite guests to build their own bowls or plates, starting with a base, adding proteins, vegetables, toppings, and finishing with dressings and herbs.
Pin My family gets excited every time we set out a make-your-own meal station. The kids love stacking veggies and trying new combos, and everyone feels included at the table.
Required Tools
Large serving platters and bowls, serving utensils, small bowls for sauces and toppings, tongs, and spoons are needed for easy serving and access.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (feta, tzatziki), eggs (mayonnaise), soy (tofu, edamame, soy sauce), nuts/seeds (toppings). Gluten may be present in falafel, sauces, and dressings. Crustacean shellfish (shrimp). Always verify ingredient labels for guest allergies.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (estimated for a typical bowl): Calories: 420, Total Fat: 14 g, Carbohydrates: 48 g, Protein: 22 g.
Pin Set out plenty of fresh herbs and sauces for variety. Enjoy the laughter and conversation as your guests build their perfect bowls and boards!
Recipe Questions
- → What proteins can I offer for build‑your‑own boards and bowls?
Grilled chicken, marinated tofu, cooked shrimp, and falafel are great protein options. You can also offer chickpeas or tempeh for extra variety.
- → How do I prepare the bases for guests?
Cook jasmine rice and quinoa as directed, then fluff and place them in serving bowls with chopped romaine lettuce for a fresh choice.
- → What dressings work well for these spreads?
Lemon-tahini, olive oil & balsamic vinegar, and soy-ginger vinaigrette complement the components and suit many tastes.
- → How can I make this suitable for vegan or gluten‑free diets?
Choose plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives, and verify falafel and sauces are gluten-free. Avoid animal products for vegan guests.
- → What serving tools should I provide?
Use large platters, serving bowls, tongs, spoons, and plenty of small bowls for toppings and sauces to keep things organized.
- → Are there allergens to watch out for?
This spread may include dairy, eggs, soy, nuts/seeds, shellfish, and gluten. Always check labels for dietary needs and allergies.