CAVA bowl 🍚🇬🇷

Cava is a cult favorite amongst my sister and I. Ever since we discovered it, I swear we have been more times than I care to admit. I've had to reel it way back in recent months cause it was getting out of hand how much I was spending and consuming at this establishment 🤣. For those not familiar, Cava serves Mediterranean food, and similar to the outlay of Chipotle, you can add toppings, sauces, and more! Instead of queso and chips, you can get pita chips and hummus! If that isn't a dream, I don't know what is! Despite my love for Cava, I thought why not recreate the infamous bowl? And guys, it was better than I could imagine!!!

It was not just simple (which is a running theme here) but so rich in flavor, and all elements of the flavors were incorporated so well together. I had to imagine the display of toppings and then decide what I wanted to recreate in my kitchen. If interested, here's my Cava order; I chose my base of lettuce, white rice, red pepper hummus, tzatziki sauce, falafel, grilled chicken, tomato and cucumber, feta cheese, and skhug sauce. This is quite a lot of items! There is some labor you need to put into this, but the end result is incredible. Ever since I've made this on my own, I haven't headed back to Cava. Now that's not to say you shouldn't try the place once, but give this recipe a try and you'll be grateful you did! I ❤️ CAVA! (sponsor me pls).

CAVA Bowl

Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 25 mins Overall time: 2 hours Serves: 4-6 people

Ingredients:

Grilled chicken:

• 5-6 pieces of chicken thighs OR 2-3 pieces of chicken breast

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 teaspoon of pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 tbsp of parsley flakes

• 1/2 teaspoon or more red chili powder

• 1 tablespoon of cumin powder

• 1 tablespoon of ginger/garlic paste

• 1/2 lime, squeezed

Skhug sauce:

• 4 jalapeno peppers

• 1 Anaheim pepper (only use if you want to bring the heat down)

• 4 cloves garlic OR 1 tablespoon garlic paste

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, from 1 lemon

• generous sprinkle of salt

• Sprinkle of red pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon coriander

• 1/2 cup olive oil

Tzatziki sauce:

• 1 cup of plain yogurt

• 1/2 cup finely grated Persian cucumber

• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

• drizzle of olive oil

• 1/2 tablespoon of garlic paste

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt, more if needed

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of chopped dill

• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped mint

Remaining toppings:

• 2 1/2 cups of white or basmati rice

• 1 Persian cucumber, finely chopped

• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped

• 1 green and 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

• feta cheese (Trader joes is the best one)

• lettuce of choice; arugula, romaine

• 4-5 pieces falafel (store-bought or homemade )

• 1 tub of spicy hummus

Steps:

Skhug Sauce:

1. I start with the Skhug Sauce first, so that it has time to chill while I make and assemble the rest of the bowl.

2. Using a food processor, add all the ingredients except for the oil. Pulse and blend well together.

3. Continue to blend, and add the oil as it mixes.

4. Once the oil has processed well with the rest of the mixture, taste test and add additional lemon juice if needed.

5. Place the skhug sauce in a container and place it in the fridge.

Tzatziki sauce:

1. Finely grate your Persian cucumber into a bowl. Once completed, place the cucumbers into a paper towel and squeeze until most water is absorbed. Add back to the bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix well together. Add cucumber and mix well.

3. Place in the fridge to chill while preparing the other ingredients.

Grilled Chicken and Rice:

1. Before getting into the chicken, cook your rice. If you use a rice cooker, follow instructions as needed. If not, place rice in a pot, and fill the pot with water, until you are just above 1 inch from the rice. Add about half a tablespoon of salt to the water. Place on the stove at medium-high until it's boiling. Then place heat at medium and cook for 20 mins.

2. My favorite part! Whatever chicken you decide to use, pat dry and add to a bowl.

3. Add all the spices and ingredients and mix very well with your hands. Let sit for 20-30 mins.

4. Suppose you have a grill, great! If you don't, heat a skillet on medium heat, add about a tablespoon of oil, and begin adding the chicken. Cook for 20-25 mins, while flipping the chicken halfway through.

5. Once the chicken has been cooked, place it on a tray and continue to cook the remaining chicken until it's all been completed. Keep the skillet on a low. Take your bell peppers (cut into slices) place them in the skillet and let heat while you move on to the next step.

6. Take the chicken pieces cut them into small pieces, and place them back in the skillet.

7. On low heat, heat all the chicken pieces and bell pepper together for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, it's time for assembly!

Assembly time:

1. Dice your tomatoes and cucumbers and combine them in a bowl.

2. Heat your falafel, and place it off to the side.

3. Now for the best part! Using either a bowl or plate, start with your rice and greens. From there, add the feta cheese, hummus, tzatziki sauce, chicken, falafel, tomato, and cucumber.

4. Once all is added, drizzle the skhug sauce on top.

5. Bon Appetit!