Meal customizations are taking the restaurant industry by storm. Reportedly, around 92 percent of consumers prefer QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants) that allow them to personalize their meal options. Imagine standing before a salad station, surveying a rainbow of fresh ingredients — roasted chicken, quinoa, kale, roasted squash, and many more. You already know it is not about looking for just a meal; it is creating a masterpiece. And this is exactly what Forage Kitchen has in store for you!

The whole point of making a bowl is to combine flavors, textures, and nutrients in any way you want. Think local, fresh, and sustainable — our bowls are as good for the world as they are for your mouth. Here is a guide for you to start your salad journey with us.

Choosing The Base: The Foundation of Your Bowl

A bowl's journey begins with the base. It is the bedrock of flavors and nutrition. The bases available at Forage Kitchen range from familiar greens to less commonly seen grains like organic black rice.  Here are a few options..

Grain Bases for Energy

In the mood for something hearty? Choose black rice or quinoa. Yes, these grains are meant for lasting energy with lots of fiber and nutrients. Quinoa, for example, is a complete protein and a super superfood that fits into nearly every type of diet.

Greens for a Bright and Healthy Beginning 

Want to keep it light? Mix greens like spinach, lettuce, or kale. Their crisp texture and earthy flavors bring refreshing versatility to the rest of your bowl. 

Pro tip: Add kale whenever you want to go crazy; it's vitamin C and calcium-rich!

Adding Proteins: Fuel Your Body 

Proteins are your powerhouse, propelling you through the day with gusto.

• For Protein-Packed Diets: The classic, go-to option is roasted chicken, tuna poke, or salmon. Roasted chicken, mildly seasoned and tender, is the most popular option in our "Build Your Own Bowl." If you are an omega-3 enthusiast, check out our smoked salmon. For a more decadent taste, go for tuna poke.
• Plant-based options: Plant-based eaters don’t have to sacrifice protein. You can try fiber-dense foods such as tofu, roasted chickpeas, and black beans. These can be served over quinoa or greens and make for a very nutritious and filling meal. 
• Keto-Friendly Options: Indulge your keto palate with smoked salmon, tuna poke or chicken seasoned with spices that heighten the flavor of your carb-free bowl. 

Protein is a key component of your bowl, so don’t skimp and go all in!

Picking The Ideal Veggies and Toppings

This is where your bowl will get its colors. Veggies and toppings bring crunch and flavor to your salad or grain bowl.

• Fresh and Crunchy: Want a little bunch of freshness? Put in some carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Their crisp texture and sweetness will help balance heavier things, such as grains and proteins.
• Roasted Veggies: Roasted veggies such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes add flavors that are deeper and more comforting. The sweetness from the caramelized edges of roasted veggies will also give your bowl an incredibly irresistible smoky flavor.
• Innovative options: Feeling adventurous? Go all out and add some avocado in there, toast some nuts, or finish with some seeds. Creamy and indulgent avocados, nuts, and seeds round out a bowl with healthy fats. 
• Seasonal veggies: The best vegetables to add to your salad bowl are seasonal and locally sourced. At Forage Kitchen, in the summer months, enhance your salad bowls with seasonal vegetables like crisp spring asparagus, zucchini, and juicy tomatoes. In the fall, add roasted sweet potatoes or beets. Winter options include roasted squash, shredded kale, brussels sprouts, and radishes for vibrant flavor and freshness.

Finishing Touch: Dressings and Sauces 

The dressing can make or break your bowl. It is also the easiest way to customize the flavor of your bowl according to your specific needs. Making salad dressings doesn’t have to be difficult. Try out a few simple dressings recipes and choose a couple ones you like. You can mix and match them year-round. Here are some ideas:

• For a Tangy Kick: Add lemon or balsamic vinaigrette for more zing in your bowl. Both are light and refreshing, letting our ingredients be the main attraction. 
• Creamy Options: Want something decadent? Go ahead and indulge in avocado green goddess or creamy tahini. These rich, flavor-packed creamy dressings are just the right amount to kick your bowl up a notch. 
• For Spice Lovers: If you love a bite of spice, go for thai cashew or salsa roja. They will give your bowl a little kick and keep your tastebuds happy too.

Benefits of Making Your Own Bowl from Forage Kitchen

Why build your own bowl at Forage Kitchen? Of course, apart from the delicious flavors and artistic combinations offered, there is much more to it. Here's what makes this dining experience special:

Fresh ingredients: Farm to Fork

Freshness is not a promise at Forage Kitchen; it is a commitment. Everything at Forage Kitchen is sourced locally and as fresh as it could possibly be when it lands on your plate. Local produce tastes better and retains maximum nutrients, serving you healthy and tasty food. Be it crunchy kale or the sweetness of roasted squash — the taste of every little bit goes on to speak of the effort put into ingredient sourcing.

Nutritional Balance: Your Health, Your Way 

Constructing your own bowl lends itself to the autonomy of nutrition. It does not matter whether you are high-protein, low-carb, keto, or vegan. Forage Kitchen accommodates all: Pair quinoa with smoked salmon for an omega-3-rich power bowl, or add cauliflower with avocado and chickpeas for a complete plant-based treat. Control every ingredient and make a meal according to your health goals.

Endless Customization: Food That Speaks to Your Soul

Another unique aspect of bowl customization is that it infuses creativity into your dish. Boldly explore flavor pairings like thai basil pesto over roasted brussels sprouts. Keep it classic with a vinaigrette drizzling down into the mixed greens. The fun mix-n-match keeps your meals fresh and ensures you don't have the same bowl twice (unless you want to!).

Your Bowl, Your Rules!

Forage Kitchen turns building your own bowl into a creative experience. It is possible to bring a perfectly personalized bowl into reality with impressive menus, fresh ingredients, and endless combinations. We are always here to help you in your salad journey. So, stop waiting! Stop searching “salad bowls near me” and place an order at Forage Kitchen today.