Roasted Broccoli + Sesame Tempeh Bowl w/ Miso Ginger Dressing
Plant-based anti-inflammatory eating that does not compromise on substance.
A fermented, sulforaphane-rich bowl that works at the level of inflammatory gene expression.
Tempeh is one of the most nutritionally complete plant proteins available — and unlike tofu, its fermentation process adds a layer of gut-supportive activity that directly influences systemic inflammatory tone. Paired with broccoli's sulforaphane and a miso ginger dressing built around two of the most clinically researched anti-inflammatory compounds in nutritional science, this bowl delivers meaningful anti-inflammatory support through every component on the plate.
Bowl
1 block tempeh, sliced
3 cups broccoli florets
1 cup cooked white or brown rice
1 tbsp avocado oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds, black and white
Sea salt + black pepper, to taste
Miso Ginger Dressing
1 tbsp white miso paste
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp coconut aminos or tamari
1–2 tsp warm water to thin
Benefits
Tempeh → fermentation produces bioactive peptides + beneficial microbes that support the gut microbiome — the gut's microbial balance is a primary regulator of systemic inflammatory tone throughout the body
Broccoli → sulforaphane activates Nrf2, the body's master antioxidant regulator, directly suppressing inflammatory pathways + protecting cells from the oxidative stress that sustains chronic inflammation
Miso → fermented soybean paste contributes additional probiotic activity + isoflavones that modulate inflammatory cytokine production at the immune cell level
Ginger → gingerols inhibit COX-1 + COX-2 inflammatory enzymes through the same pathway targeted by common NSAIDs, with additional suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α
Sesame seeds → rich in sesamin + sesamol, lignans with demonstrated ability to suppress NF-κB — the master switch of inflammatory gene expression
Rice → provides a gentle, easily digested carbohydrate base that avoids the blood sugar spikes that activate inflammatory signaling pathways