Happy 1-Year Anniversary Bodhi Bowl!
Join in on the tasty fun of Bodhi Bowl’s 1-year Birthday celebration! Come get down and get your favorite bowl or build your own. Join Antoinette Westcott and as she celebrates with Ali Cruddas, the owner of the restaurant, getting an inside look at how they make amazing dishes. On this day Ali is showing us how to make their signature black bean chili.
Ali became a vegan after being encouraged by a friend who was an activist for the animals. Ali decided that if she could not kill an animal then she should not eat them. Her hangup was mayonnaise until she came to the United States and discovered veganaise!
Ali created the concept for Bodhi bowl after being a private chef for many years. She felt there was a discrepancy in casual healthy dining. She decided to make a concept with a lot of variety so people can make customize their orders to their tastes.
Antoinette was given a Bodhi Bowl making training by Ali during her visit. They made a “Giving Bowl,” which ten percent of the proceeds from this bowl go to an animal charity. The charity that Ali is donating to is Downtown Dog Rescue. This organization goes to Skid Row where there is a large population of homeless people with their dogs. They give free vaccines and food to the animals down there every Wednesday.
That bowl looked amazing and Antoinette enjoyed a few bites before they had to finish making the chili. Next, Ali takes the finished chili and makes her Los Angeles special, the “Frito chili bowl,” topped with pico de gallo and vegan cheddar. Even with all of this, the festivities aren’t finished. There is a huge chocolate cake to be eaten in honor of the 1-year anniversary and one of the employee’s birthdays. Wow what a fun celebration! Check out Bodhi Bowl the next time you’re in Downtown LA! Healthy diverse cruely-free casual dining for all!
Visit the Bodhi Bowl website here.
Antoinette Westcott with #OneVeggieAtATime
Photos and camerawork by Eric Faison.
Report edited by Ellen Dent.
Bodhi Bowl’s Black Bean Chili:
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1-3 tablespoons chili powder (more will be spicier)
- 2 tablespoons of cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ t cayenne
- 2 Red peppers diced
- 2 – 28oz cans of whole tomatoes and their juice (use your hands to roughly crush the tomatoes)
- 3 can of black beans
- 1 packet of soyrizo
- Salt to taste
- 1 bunch of chopped cilantro
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add spices and cook stirring for about 30 seconds.
- Add peppers and soyrizo cook for about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and beans and bring to a simmer. Once the chili begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low. You want the chili to be at a low simmer with the lid off.
- Continue to cook the chili, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes
- Generously salt to taste.
- Serve with chopped cilantro.
- Enjoy!
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