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The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl

Boarding pass ready? We are escaping the sad desk lunch with this fiery, sweet, and wildly crunchy bowl! By quick-marinating tempeh in a bright harissa-lime-agave shake, we create an explosive flavor passport that caramelizes beautifully in minutes.

Chef Mira Lin
Chef Mira Lin
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
2
easy
lunchsalad
desk-lunchveganmason-jar-dressingquick-marinating+1

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Timeline

13 minutes
0m5m10m13m
Shake Mason Jar Dressing
3m
Quick-Marinate Tempeh
2m
Sear Marinated Tempeh
7m
Prep Crunchy Veggies
5m
Toss Salad Base
2m
Assemble and Serve

Ingredients

  • 8 oz tempeh(crumbled or cut into bite-sized cubes)
  • 2 tbsp rose harissa paste(use regular harissa if rose isn't available)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice(about 2 juicy limes)
  • 1 tbsp agave nectar
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil(divided)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 cups purple cabbage(finely shredded)
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce(roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves(roughly torn)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro(roughly chopped, stems included)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pepitas

Instructions

  1. 1

    Grab your favorite mason jar and let us build our travel itinerary! Add the 2 tbsp rose harissa paste, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp agave nectar, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Seal the lid tightly and shake it like you are trying to catch a connecting flight until fully emulsified.

    3 min

    Tip: If your harissa is extremely spicy, start with half the amount and taste test your dressing before tossing it with the tempeh.

  2. 2

    Place your 8 oz tempeh into a shallow bowl. Pour exactly half of that glorious harissa-agave dressing over the top. Toss well to coat. Tempeh is basically a flavor sponge, so this quick-marinating technique gets maximum impact in minimum time.

    2 min

    Tip: Crumbling the tempeh with your hands creates craggy edges that soak up more marinade and get ultra-crispy in the pan.

  3. 3

    Heat the remaining 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated tempeh and let it sear undisturbed for a few minutes to caramelize the agave, then toss occasionally until crispy and golden.

    7 min

    Tip: Don't rush the sear! That caramelization is what transforms this from a basic lunch to a first-class flavor experience.

  4. 4

    While the tempeh is sizzling, clear the runway on your cutting board, aka your departure gate. Shred the 2 cups purple cabbage, chop the 2 cups romaine lettuce, and pull off massive handfuls of the 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro.

    5 min

    Tip: Keeping the herbs in large, rustic pieces instead of mincing them gives you a vibrant, fresh burst of flavor in every single bite.

  5. 5

    In a large serving bowl, combine the cabbage, romaine, mint, cilantro, and 1/4 cup toasted pepitas. Drizzle with the remaining dressing straight from your mason jar and toss vigorously to ensure every leaf is coated in that zesty magic.

    2 min

  6. 6

    Top the vibrant green salad base with your hot, sticky, caramelized tempeh straight from the skillet. Your desk escape is now boarding!

    1 min

    Tip: If packing for the office, keep the dressed greens and cooked tempeh in separate containers until lunchtime so everything stays flawlessly crunchy.

Chef's Notes

Mom-energy tip: Sometimes my kitchen is total chaos and I only have five minutes before I have to run out the door. The beauty of this recipe is that you can prep the dressing and marinate the tempeh up to two days in advance. When you are ready to eat, it is literally just a sear-and-assemble situation!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl take to make?

The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl takes about 13 minutes total. That includes 5 minutes of prep and 8 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 2 servings.

What skill level is needed for The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl?

The main ingredients are: tempeh, rose harissa paste, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, purple cabbage, romaine lettuce, fresh mint leaves, fresh cilantro, toasted pepitas.

What type of meal is The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl?

The Marrakesh-to-Mexico City Harissa-Agave Quick-Marinated Tempeh Bowl is categorized as: lunch, salad.