What do you think?
One-Bowl Meals: Simple, Nourishing, Delicious
Inspired Combinations for the Way We Love to Eat
Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and complete with protein, fresh fruits or vegetables, and grains, a one-bowl meal checks all the boxes—delicious, nourishing, casual, filling, seasonal. And in the hands of Maria Zizka its possibilities are even more exciting, with thirty brilliant combinations organized by base—oatmeal, chia, or yogurt for breakfast, and grains, noodles, or greens to build mains. Plus, there are tips, tutorials, and substitution rules of thumb throughout, including how to customize your bowl to make it vegan, gluten-free, or protein-forward.
It’s all about mastering the five steps to building a Get ready to create your own complete meal in a bowl.
Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and complete with protein, fresh fruits or vegetables, and grains, a one-bowl meal checks all the boxes—delicious, nourishing, casual, filling, seasonal. And in the hands of Maria Zizka its possibilities are even more exciting, with thirty brilliant combinations organized by base—oatmeal, chia, or yogurt for breakfast, and grains, noodles, or greens to build mains. Plus, there are tips, tutorials, and substitution rules of thumb throughout, including how to customize your bowl to make it vegan, gluten-free, or protein-forward.
It’s all about mastering the five steps to building a Get ready to create your own complete meal in a bowl.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published April 27, 2021
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 8, 2021
Eat with your eyes photography and the promise of one-bowl is really a misleading precursor to multi-step recipes that are not 'merely some assembly required' dishes perfect for a Tuesday night, but instead requires meal prep that uses an overflowing sinkful of kitchen equipment to create a composed dinner for two. One-Bowl Meals is a beautiful book with lovely recipes, but it you are looking for simple cooking and preparation, this is not the weeknight guide you grab after a long day. This is a cookbook that requires grocery lists and specialty ingredients that might not be easy to find at the typical food store. These recipes will use multiple pots and pans to get that one full meal in a bowl. You'll be prepping sauces while putting sheet pans in the oven and boiling a pot of water. There's a lot going on to get you to that one bowl dish. While I could get on board with the cooking, you know there will be cleaning in your future. What Zizka gets right are the plans and the components - if you can plan ahead and have components prepared, this book can up your eating game. And the formula of base, topping, sauce, and a crunchy element is the base for texture and flavor that conjures Top Chef Judges' Table conversations. So, if you put in the work, this cookbook is a reward.
June 28, 2022
Pretty typical cookbook, nothing really stood out to me-- whether good or bad. The only recipes I’d come back to this book for are the crispy mustard chicken, vegan ramen (specifically the miso-shiitake broth), and panzanella caprese.
April 5, 2021
Beautiful photography of delicious looking one- bowl meals. Sounds great? But a closer inspection of these recipes reveals that making them will be no simple feat. First issue is that almost every recipe includes ingredients not found at your average grocery store. So those who live in small towns or in areas without high-end specialty groceries will have difficulty acquiring the ingredients to make many of these recipes. Second, despite being "one-bowl", few of these recipes are easy to make and certainly require more than one pot. So if you are looking for a quick meal that you can throw together at the end of a hard day at work, these recipes are not what you are looking for. Third, if you are counting calories or trying to keep your sodium down, you will find this cookbook frustrating as it contains no nutritional information. Want to know the calories, you will need to calculate that yourself. Same goes for proteins, fiber, sodium, and so forth.
However if you do have the time and the budget to buy the m0re exotic ingredients found in many of these recipes, you will find a delightful mix of seafood, chicken, meat, and vegan recipes with detailed directions on preparation and presentation. Moreover, many of the meat recipes would not be that difficult to convert to vegan/vegetarian options. Just make sure you have plenty of time for executing these truly gourmet meals that will have you boiling, broiling, and sautéing to get these "simple" dishes.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
However if you do have the time and the budget to buy the m0re exotic ingredients found in many of these recipes, you will find a delightful mix of seafood, chicken, meat, and vegan recipes with detailed directions on preparation and presentation. Moreover, many of the meat recipes would not be that difficult to convert to vegan/vegetarian options. Just make sure you have plenty of time for executing these truly gourmet meals that will have you boiling, broiling, and sautéing to get these "simple" dishes.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 6, 2021
The photos are probably the stars of this cookbook, which features an assortment of bowl ideas for breakfasts, salads, grains and more. Each recipe has a photo to accompany it and they're definitely the Instagram sort with great food styling. The recipes themselves are pretty standard but there's a nice assortment of things that may be new to some like chia pudding as a base, and she uses a variety of grains with substitutions given for those who are gluten free. It's pretty carb-heavy so it won't be a great fit for keto or low-carb folks (other than the salads). Vegetarians and vegans will find the recipes pretty easy to adapt, as will dairy-free folks and others with special dietary needs. No nutritional information is given. I would have preferred lots more sauce recipes since sauces often make the bowl, and perhaps more of a mix and match feel. I'd probably use this cookbook more to flip through for inspiration than to follow the actual recipes, but it does offer some good inspiration.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
June 11, 2021
3.5 stars
Nine out of the 30 meals in this book looked good to me - more than the average cookbook. There are photos for nearly all the completed bowls; however, there are a few recipes that include only in-process shots or ingredient-only pictures, which is a pet-peeve of mine.
There is a quick chart showing how to substitute certain grains (and lentils) for others, but I wish there had been a bit more mix-and-match recipes in the book as a whole, showing specific variations for each recipe.
Nine out of the 30 meals in this book looked good to me - more than the average cookbook. There are photos for nearly all the completed bowls; however, there are a few recipes that include only in-process shots or ingredient-only pictures, which is a pet-peeve of mine.
There is a quick chart showing how to substitute certain grains (and lentils) for others, but I wish there had been a bit more mix-and-match recipes in the book as a whole, showing specific variations for each recipe.
April 13, 2021
Great looking recipes...every one looks so delicious! Easy to follow and has various types of recipes.
January 26, 2021
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this cookbook courtesy of NetGalley)
Maria Zizka provides exactly as is advertised - a fine assortment of bowl recipes that span from breakfast through dinner, from bases ranging from steel-cut oats to pasta, to leafy greens. It's a pleasant variety presented here to cover all kinds of taste preferences, and all recipes are accompanied by delightful photos that could easily get one's appetite running if gazed upon for too long.
My slight nitpick is the may that Zizka has the recipes presented in small paragraph chunks. I personally find it easier to follow any recipe that is numbered and broken up into smaller steps. Otherwise, though it's a fine cookbook for those who prefer their meals knitted altogether single bowl-style.
Maria Zizka provides exactly as is advertised - a fine assortment of bowl recipes that span from breakfast through dinner, from bases ranging from steel-cut oats to pasta, to leafy greens. It's a pleasant variety presented here to cover all kinds of taste preferences, and all recipes are accompanied by delightful photos that could easily get one's appetite running if gazed upon for too long.
My slight nitpick is the may that Zizka has the recipes presented in small paragraph chunks. I personally find it easier to follow any recipe that is numbered and broken up into smaller steps. Otherwise, though it's a fine cookbook for those who prefer their meals knitted altogether single bowl-style.
March 20, 2021
There are some excellent recipes in this book. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow. Definitely recommend
Thank you to Maria Zizka, NetGalley and Artisan for the ARC of this book
Thank you to Maria Zizka, NetGalley and Artisan for the ARC of this book
January 20, 2021
This was an attractive recipe book, however one that seemed a little on the slight side. The dishes are all supposed to be one-bowl wonders, so porridge plus this and this with that is a breakfast, rice with this once you've done that to it and found a dash of that is lunch, and so on. The introduction kind of sounded a little on the defensive side when it said how the art of putting these bowl meals together is not some random selection of combinations, and indeed we are shown different ethnicities, different styles and different approaches throughout to show these are echt recipes from well-known cuisines. But still it felt a little slim. Full-spread photos where half a page would have done were not the only things that seemed a little on the unnecessary side – is anyone really up for this and yet ignorant of how fried salmon across two whole pages might look?
Also the text left me feeling a little short-handed at times. There were ingredients here I've never heard of (a lot of this is tending towards the high-brow, and the humble British supermarket might struggle with some things), yet there was not a note of introduction. Something as blatantly Russian/Scandinavian/Baltic/whatever you want to call it as salmon on rye berries with lashings of dill and juniper should have been announced as such – if you can't equate the dish with that region of the world a table talking point is lost for the sake of a sentence from our author. Still, the large print and well-crafted instructions are probably more to the point, and both make this book one that is definitely easy to follow. I just didn't get the feel this was at all essential, and even four stars seems a little too generous on this occasion.
Also the text left me feeling a little short-handed at times. There were ingredients here I've never heard of (a lot of this is tending towards the high-brow, and the humble British supermarket might struggle with some things), yet there was not a note of introduction. Something as blatantly Russian/Scandinavian/Baltic/whatever you want to call it as salmon on rye berries with lashings of dill and juniper should have been announced as such – if you can't equate the dish with that region of the world a table talking point is lost for the sake of a sentence from our author. Still, the large print and well-crafted instructions are probably more to the point, and both make this book one that is definitely easy to follow. I just didn't get the feel this was at all essential, and even four stars seems a little too generous on this occasion.
October 17, 2021
When it comes to meals, almost everybody likes variety. That’s why Maria Zizka’s cookbook, One-Bowl Meals: Simple, Nourishing, Delicious is a timely and convenient way to make meals a bit different, which will add interest, and eliminate same-old, same-old meals and get us out of the ruts we get into when we make the same boring dishes over and over, day after day. This excellent cookbook includes five steps to making fun and nutritious one-bowl meals and there are dozens of set recipes as well as ideas for customizing one-bowl meals to include foods that families like. The finished results will be not only delicious, but easy and timesaving.
Although there are set recipes for many one bowl meals in the cookbook, the author has included a formula for creating dozens of unique one bowl meals using leftovers or your favorite ingredients. So even though this cookbook has a limited number of recipes, the actual one bowl meals that you can create is amazingly vast. You’ll find yourself cooking extra grains and basic ingredients so that they can be used in meals that you create. It’s actually fun, and one bowl meals make great breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
The instructions are easy to follow, and most ingredients called for are easy-to-find and available at any local grocery store. The photographs are beautiful, and almost every dish is pictured, as well as the basics. The concept is very easy, and once a cook masters the basics, good, quick meals will be just minutes away at any given time. This is a fun cookbook to own.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
Although there are set recipes for many one bowl meals in the cookbook, the author has included a formula for creating dozens of unique one bowl meals using leftovers or your favorite ingredients. So even though this cookbook has a limited number of recipes, the actual one bowl meals that you can create is amazingly vast. You’ll find yourself cooking extra grains and basic ingredients so that they can be used in meals that you create. It’s actually fun, and one bowl meals make great breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
The instructions are easy to follow, and most ingredients called for are easy-to-find and available at any local grocery store. The photographs are beautiful, and almost every dish is pictured, as well as the basics. The concept is very easy, and once a cook masters the basics, good, quick meals will be just minutes away at any given time. This is a fun cookbook to own.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
June 6, 2021
Some things to understand about this book, and others like it: one bowl does not mean one pan- you will be using more than one pan for most recipes, and be cooking more than one element of any given dish, just like any other meal. The focus here is on combining elements that offer lots of flavor, nutrition, and variety. I didn't see any recipes that looked difficult to make, though some have less common ingredients that can certainly be substituted for more common ingredients if needed, and there are plenty of ingredients that can be prepped ahead of time. There are lots of pictures and explanation to make things easy, and tips on how to put together a good bowl meal. There's no nutrition information, which I can partially understand, as the author explains that you might not always use the same amount of components depending on how hungry you are, or your mood at the time, but a base nutrition guideline, "when made as directed" or whatever, would've been appreciated. The recipes all sound delicious, and I'm eager to try so many of them! Also, the recipes seem pretty adaptable; there's a range of recipes including meat, vegetarian, and vegan, and most if not all would be adaptable to suit one's tastes or preferences. If you're looking to try something new to add to your cooking repertoire, this is a good place to start!
#OneBowlMeals #NetGalley
#OneBowlMeals #NetGalley
February 27, 2021
I was very excited to dive into this book because of the amazing title One-Bowl Meals. One bowl meals are my absolute favorite. Such a wholesome dinner on a weekday.
I was enamored with how the book started, and the table of contents is astoundingly lovely. Everything is laid out in such a minimalist manner, and it's just gorgeous. I also quite enjoyed the layout of the book: Breakfast, Rice, Other Grains and Legumes, Noodles, and Greens.
But my excitement faded as I actually made my way through the book. Though the photos are stunning and the concepts sound delicious, they come off in recipe form as plain and ordinary. I wasn't very inspired by the recipes, and didn't learn very much about making one-bowl meals.
Yes, it's laid out for you that a one bowl meal contains a base, protein, toppings, and sauce, but I believe we all know the basics of bowl making with places like Chipotle being commonplace now. This may be harsh, but I don't believe this book would replace a google search of the term "one bowl meals".
But if you really want 30 one bowl meal ideas in one spot, then get this book and enjoy how cute it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.
I was enamored with how the book started, and the table of contents is astoundingly lovely. Everything is laid out in such a minimalist manner, and it's just gorgeous. I also quite enjoyed the layout of the book: Breakfast, Rice, Other Grains and Legumes, Noodles, and Greens.
But my excitement faded as I actually made my way through the book. Though the photos are stunning and the concepts sound delicious, they come off in recipe form as plain and ordinary. I wasn't very inspired by the recipes, and didn't learn very much about making one-bowl meals.
Yes, it's laid out for you that a one bowl meal contains a base, protein, toppings, and sauce, but I believe we all know the basics of bowl making with places like Chipotle being commonplace now. This may be harsh, but I don't believe this book would replace a google search of the term "one bowl meals".
But if you really want 30 one bowl meal ideas in one spot, then get this book and enjoy how cute it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.
February 3, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Artisan Books - Artisan in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
All of the recipes featured in this cookbook look so delicious and easy that it is for sure a candidate for a future cooking demo. Bowls are becoming the new trend and it is great to see how many variations of them exist. While looking through this cookbook I was so fascinated on the combination of toppings to choose from while still being very healthy and incorporating food diets such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. All of the recipes I can't wait to try and share them with our community at a future cooking demo.
We will consider adding this title to our TX Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
All of the recipes featured in this cookbook look so delicious and easy that it is for sure a candidate for a future cooking demo. Bowls are becoming the new trend and it is great to see how many variations of them exist. While looking through this cookbook I was so fascinated on the combination of toppings to choose from while still being very healthy and incorporating food diets such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. All of the recipes I can't wait to try and share them with our community at a future cooking demo.
We will consider adding this title to our TX Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
January 29, 2021
I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a lot of really simple recipes that just about anyone could make. What's even better is that each recipe could easily be adapted to individual taste or by what the cook has in the pantry/fridge at the time. I was especially glad to see a simple chilaquiles recipe included as it is one of my very favorite breakfast meals. Everyone should try it at least once and this was a really accessible recipe.
I like the clean format of the book with the bright white photo backgrounds, white servings vessels, and plain black text. It was very modern and would appeal to many people.
This would be a great cookbook for anyone wanting to simplify dinner time, but not taste.
This book had a lot of really simple recipes that just about anyone could make. What's even better is that each recipe could easily be adapted to individual taste or by what the cook has in the pantry/fridge at the time. I was especially glad to see a simple chilaquiles recipe included as it is one of my very favorite breakfast meals. Everyone should try it at least once and this was a really accessible recipe.
I like the clean format of the book with the bright white photo backgrounds, white servings vessels, and plain black text. It was very modern and would appeal to many people.
This would be a great cookbook for anyone wanting to simplify dinner time, but not taste.
October 2, 2021
I asked to preview this book because I was looking for simple, healthy, and fairly quick to prepare meals. This book mostly meets those requirements.
I only ended up finding 4 recipes that I wanted to try, but I am really looking forward to them!
About the book in general though: It has a nice, clean layout. The recipes are easy to read and understand. I love that she gives tips for switching out ingredients and how to create your own bowl using her formula. The sources section was also helpful.
It was a relatively short read, so definitely worth the time to check out, even if you only glean a few recipes as I did.
I only ended up finding 4 recipes that I wanted to try, but I am really looking forward to them!
About the book in general though: It has a nice, clean layout. The recipes are easy to read and understand. I love that she gives tips for switching out ingredients and how to create your own bowl using her formula. The sources section was also helpful.
It was a relatively short read, so definitely worth the time to check out, even if you only glean a few recipes as I did.
January 28, 2021
I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was really looking forward to reading this book and it disappointed me quite a lot. A lot of these recipes have a ton of steps to them, and they may be SERVED in just one bowl, but I have a feeling that once I'm done cooking, broiling, boiling, and toasting everything needed for these ONE BOWL meals, I'll have 2 loads for my dishwasher....
I DID enjoy the fact that in the beginning there's five tips to creating a bowl meal: base, protein, sauce, toppings, & garnish.
I was really looking forward to reading this book and it disappointed me quite a lot. A lot of these recipes have a ton of steps to them, and they may be SERVED in just one bowl, but I have a feeling that once I'm done cooking, broiling, boiling, and toasting everything needed for these ONE BOWL meals, I'll have 2 loads for my dishwasher....
I DID enjoy the fact that in the beginning there's five tips to creating a bowl meal: base, protein, sauce, toppings, & garnish.
December 18, 2021
I'm not sure why all the bad reviews...but I guess people don't COOK these days. *rolls eyes*
I found the recipes delicious and the ingredients can be found at regular grocery stores or at your health food stores (ingredients are things like golden raisins, avocado, chickpeas, endive, salmon, brown rice) - come on people!
Loved this cookbook a whole book on meals all in one bowl! These are great for make-ahead people like me...I make meals for work and the week on a healthy diet. The recipes are easily adaptable for your dietary needs.
I found the recipes delicious and the ingredients can be found at regular grocery stores or at your health food stores (ingredients are things like golden raisins, avocado, chickpeas, endive, salmon, brown rice) - come on people!
Loved this cookbook a whole book on meals all in one bowl! These are great for make-ahead people like me...I make meals for work and the week on a healthy diet. The recipes are easily adaptable for your dietary needs.
Read
July 31, 2023Before reading, I did check some of the reviews but I guess I didn't really put it together. this book is definitely not about simple cooking, it's about presentation. The 'one-bowl' sell is less about convenience and ease while making the dish but more about the cohesiveness of the recipe and a pretty big nod towards meal prepping.
That said, the pictures were gorgeous, and I'll probably try a couple of the sauces at the least.
That said, the pictures were gorgeous, and I'll probably try a couple of the sauces at the least.
April 22, 2021
I do love one-bowl meals! All of these sound delicious, but they're also fairly complex. Just remember: just because the end-product ends up in one bowl, doesn't mean you can prepare it in only one bowl! Still: lots of delicious-sounding bowls in there with all sorts of different bases, including yogurt, chia seed pudding, noodles, salad, all sorts of rice or grains...mmm....
February 5, 2021
I liked this book because it has easy, step by step guide to creating meals that are creative and fairly easy to prepare. I also liked that there are substitution options given. This is a great book for a beginner looking to go vegan, gluten free, or just wanting to be more healthy.
September 14, 2021
love these recipes !
January 9, 2022
Beautiful pictures! I made a couple recipes that came out delicious, but the rest just didn’t sound appealing.. to me, anyway.
October 14, 2023
a wide range of classic bowl recipes - some interesting additions and takes - such a a ceasar salad with fennel instead of lettuce. nothing exceptionally new
February 23, 2021
This was a great book for me personally!! I am a little older than the generation who would be buying this LOL! I love the idea of a meal all in one bowl! This book is full of wonderful and delicious ideas that I really want to try if I have not tried already!! Great book and A+!
August 29, 2021
I love bowls as a meal concept, because I have 5 kids. The endless customizability of a bowl for dinner meets the needs of my under-weight kid, my hates-sauce kid, my only-likes-soft-foods kid, my needs-variety kid, my heat-loving kid, my meat-and-potatoes husband, and my veggie-loving self. This book, though, grumps about how mixing things up is dangerous and the recipes must be followed lest disaster ensue. Then it does silly things like telling you that you can make a bowl of pasta with sauce on top and jazz it up with cheese. Pretty sure I have that idea on lock already.
I didn't find anything useful in this particular cook book. Although, I'm probably not the target audience anyway.
I didn't find anything useful in this particular cook book. Although, I'm probably not the target audience anyway.
April 23, 2021
A wonderful book. The photography makes you want to start cooking and eating immediately. The recipes are well thought out and well written. They are creative and as Ive made quite a few , can attest to their deliciousness. Some are simple and can be made from what most will have on hand and others more complicated and depending on where you live, may require trips to multiple stores for ingredients and every bowl in your kitchen. Still overall a lovely, delicious book that I would purchase for myself or a friend as a gift. Really creative and fun.
May 16, 2021
Maybe it is because I read the ebook version of it, but this book felt like an unorganized and chaotic mess. The recipes flowed one right into another so it was tough to gauge where one started and one ended.
Formatting aside, the recipes just felt stale and uninspired. One positive, however, was the links to places to buy ingredients. I’m a spice snob and some of the linked shops were ones I had not yet come across. My fattened bookmarks folder says thanks.
Formatting aside, the recipes just felt stale and uninspired. One positive, however, was the links to places to buy ingredients. I’m a spice snob and some of the linked shops were ones I had not yet come across. My fattened bookmarks folder says thanks.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews