Homemade Yum Yum Bowls with Knockoff Cafe Yumm Sauce: Your New Favorite Healthy Meal!

Discover the secret to creating incredibly healthy, undeniably delicious, and effortlessly quick Yum Yum Bowls right in your kitchen. Featuring a spectacular homemade “Yumm Sauce” that elevates this humble rice bowl to an extraordinary culinary experience!

Embrace the Deliciousness: Your Guide to Perfect Yum Yum Bowls

For those fortunate enough to live near a Cafe Yumm restaurant, the joy of a vibrant, flavor-packed Yum Yum Bowl is likely a familiar pleasure. These aren’t just any rice and vegetable bowls; they are a delightful medley of fresh ingredients, perfectly balanced textures, and a secret sauce that binds it all together into pure magic.

While a Cafe Yumm location might be a distant dream for many (myself included!), the good news is that recreating these beloved bowls at home is not only possible but incredibly rewarding. My recent visit to my in-laws, who graciously live within Cafe Yumm’s reach, served as a delicious reminder of these bowls’ appeal. Their homemade rendition was an instant hit, proving that the magic can indeed be replicated.

What makes these bowls so beloved, especially in a household with diverse tastes? Their incredible customizability! From the pickiest eaters to the most adventurous palates, everyone can design a bowl that speaks to them. Watching my children meticulously select their favorite toppings (my youngest, ever the bean-averse, carefully picked around them) while my husband and I piled on every vibrant topping in sight, was a testament to the meal’s universal appeal. It’s truly a family-friendly feast that caters to individual preferences, making mealtime both fun and satisfying.

The Legendary Yumm Sauce: The Heart of Every Bowl

While the combination of warm rice, hearty beans, and crisp vegetables forms a comforting base, the true differentiator, the element that elevates these bowls from good to extraordinary, is undoubtedly the Yumm Sauce. This isn’t just any sauce; it’s a creamy, tangy, and subtly spicy concoction that makes every bite unforgettable. Indeed, this sauce is so remarkable, it deserves its own dedicated spotlight.

On our memorable visit, my in-laws even had a jar of authentic Cafe Yumm sauce on hand. It was, predictably, divine. However, a quick scan of the ingredient list on the back of the jar revealed an exciting truth: replicating this unique flavor profile at home would be entirely achievable. This discovery sparked a mission, as I knew the convenience of store-bought Yumm Sauce would soon be a fond memory once our vacation ended. The quest for the perfect knockoff Yumm Sauce was on, and I’m thrilled to share the results with you.

This Yumm Sauce stands apart from any other dressing or condiment I’ve encountered. It achieves an incredible creaminess without any traditional dairy, thanks to a clever blend of ingredients. The vibrant kick of fresh lemon and pungent garlic sings through, complemented by an intriguing mix of almonds, white beans, and light coconut milk. The inclusion of curry powder adds a warm, aromatic depth that perfectly rounds out the flavors. But perhaps the most surprising, yet essential, ingredient is nutritional yeast.

Nutritional Yeast: The Secret Flavor Booster You Need

Have you ever cooked with nutritional yeast before? I typically steer clear of recipes that demand obscure, hard-to-find ingredients. However, nutritional yeast has earned its permanent place in our pantry. It’s a staple we always keep on hand, primarily for sprinkling generously over our air-popped popcorn – a fantastic tip we picked up during our time living in Minnesota. This unassuming flake adds a wonderfully nutty, savory, and distinctly cheesy flavor, all while maintaining a dry, flaky texture. It’s a powerhouse of B vitamins and a fantastic vegan alternative for adding umami depth.

Finding nutritional yeast is usually quite simple. Many local grocery stores, like Winco in my area, carry it in the bulk bins. For convenience, I often purchase it online. Brands like Bragg’s, Bob’s Red Mill, and Hoosier Hill Farms are all excellent choices that consistently deliver great results.

If, for some reason, nutritional yeast proves elusive or you’d prefer a substitution, don’t fret! While you’ll miss its unique cheesy depth, you can try adding a handful of salted, roasted cashews to your sauce for a similar nutty creaminess, or simply increase the salt content in the recipe. I’m a firm believer in adapting recipes to fit your needs and pantry, so feel free to experiment. And hey, as I’ve mentioned in the recipe notes, my father-in-law often skips the Yumm sauce entirely in favor of ranch dressing – giving the rest of us more Yumm sauce to enjoy! No judgment here; make these bowls your own.

Beyond the Bowl: The Incredible Versatility of Yumm Sauce

Let me tell you, this knockoff Yumm Sauce is far too spectacular to be confined solely to Yum Yum Bowls. Its bright, creamy, and complex flavor profile makes it an incredibly versatile condiment. Imagine it as a refreshingly unique dip for your favorite fresh vegetables, transforming a simple snack into a gourmet treat. It’s also phenomenal spread generously onto warm flatbread or drizzled over crisp salads for an instant flavor upgrade. For a truly life-changing experience, try dipping these Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps into the Yumm Sauce. You’ll thank me later!

The recipe below yields a generous batch of sauce – approximately four cups. This is intentional! While you could easily halve the ingredients if you prefer a smaller quantity, I highly recommend making the full amount. This way, you’ll have plenty of leftover sauce to enjoy throughout the week. It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator, ready to add a burst of flavor to almost anything you can imagine. From simple sandwiches to roasted veggies, or even as a unique base for a grain bowl, its applications are nearly endless. Its name truly says it all: Yum-Yum-Yummy! (I couldn’t resist!).

With such a delicious explosion of flavor happening in these bowls, you absolutely won’t miss the meat. These bowls are wonderfully satisfying as a vegetarian or even vegan meal (just ensure your toppings are dairy-free). However, if you find yourself craving a little extra protein, don’t hesitate to add grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or thinly sliced steak. It’s your bowl, your rules!

Speaking of meatless meals, many of you have recently requested more vegetarian options. I’m pleased to share a direct link to all my meatless main dishes, and for even easier access, you’ll find it categorized within my comprehensive Recipe Index. It’s my mission to provide delicious and diverse options for every dietary preference.

And with that, I believe I’ve shared all the essential insights and delicious details about these incredible Yum Yum Bowls and their iconic sauce. The only thing left to do is gather your ingredients and make these vibrant, healthy, and satisfying bowls a reality in your kitchen as soon as possible!

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Three Years Ago: Roasted Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Yum Yum Rice Bowls with Knockoff Yumm Sauce Recipe

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

4.56 stars (212 ratings)

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Ingredients

Yum Yum Bowls:

• Warm, cooked brown or white rice, quinoa, or other “base” (see note)
• Canned black beans, rinsed and drained (warmed lightly, if desired)
• Chopped olives
• Chopped red, green, yellow, or orange peppers
• Chopped tomatoes
• Chopped or shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped avocados
• Chopped, fresh cilantro
• Sour cream
• Salsa

Yumm Sauce:

• ½ cup avocado, canola, or vegetable oil
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup canned Great Northern or Garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup light coconut milk, from a can
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice, from about 3 large lemons
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon coarse, kosher salt
• Pinch of coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• ⅓ cup nutritional yeast (see note)

Instructions

1. For the Yumm sauce, add the oil, almonds, beans, and water to a blender. Process until very smooth, 1-2 minutes (or as long as needed).
2. Add the coconut milk, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, curry powder, oregano, cilantro, and nutritional yeast. Process again until creamy and smooth. Add additional water to thin out the sauce, if needed. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve (this tastes best after it’s had time to rest – even several days – but you can also use it right away).
3. For the Yum Yum Bowls, layer rice or quinoa in the bottom of a bowl. Add black beans and a healthy dollop of Yumm Sauce and salsa. Follow it with all the toppings your heart desires (peppers, olives, cheese, tomatoes, avocados, fresh cilantro, sour cream, and more salsa and Yumm Sauce, if desired).
4. Dig in!

Notes

Ingredient Amount: You’ll notice I didn’t give specific amounts for the ingredients listed in the Yum Yum bowl section. This is because the recipe is incredibly customizable and depends entirely on how many people you are serving and individual preferences or dietary needs (allergies). Feel free to adjust quantities to your liking.

Substitutions: For a low-carb alternative to rice or quinoa, you could easily substitute spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles (zoodles) as your bowl base. The options for customization are truly endless.

Curry Powder: As always, my absolute favorite curry powder is the Sweet Curry Powder from Penzey’s Spices. I have no affiliation; I simply adore its flavor and it’s the only curry powder I use for its exceptional quality.

Nutritional Yeast: I have never tried substituting anything for nutritional yeast in the Yumm Sauce recipe because it’s an ingredient we consistently keep stocked in our pantry (it’s fantastic sprinkled on air-popped popcorn!). I’ve had great success with Bragg’s, Bob’s Red Mill, and Hoosier Hill Farm brands. You can often find it in the bulk section of grocery stores like Winco.

Yeast Substitute: If you’re seeking a substitute for nutritional yeast, remember it offers a salty, cheesy, nutty flavor with a powdery/flaky consistency. If you omit it, consider increasing the salt slightly in the sauce, and/or adding a handful of roasted, salted cashews to the blend to mimic some of its rich flavor and texture.

Sauce Quantity: The sauce recipe, as written, makes approximately 4 cups. This is typically more than we consume in a single meal of Yum Yum Bowls. You have the option to halve the ingredients for a smaller batch, or simply store the delicious leftovers in the refrigerator. This versatile sauce is perfect for dipping fresh vegetables, spreading on sandwiches, or even drizzling over grilled proteins for days to come.

Ranch Option: Despite all my praise for the Yumm Sauce, my father-in-law consistently opts for ranch dressing instead. So, if ranch is more your style, that’s always a perfectly acceptable and delicious alternative!

Author: Mel

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Method: No-Bake

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Recipe Source: This incredible meal was introduced to us by my wonderful mother- and father-in-law. They discovered Cafe Yumm in the Portland, Oregon area, loved the bowls, and brilliantly decided to recreate them at home for us. The Yumm Sauce recipe is a knockoff inspired by this recipe.