5 easy plant-based recipes you need to try
What's the story
Exploring plant-based meals can be a rewarding journey for anyone looking for wellness and variety in their diet. Not only are these meals nutritious, but they're also pretty simple to prepare, making them perfect for beginners. By incorporating a range of vegetables, grains, and legumes, these dishes offer balanced nutrition without the complexity. Here are five beginner-friendly plant-based meals that can help you get started on your wellness journey with ease.
Dish 1
Quinoa and vegetable stir-fry
Quinoa and vegetable stir-fry is a versatile dish that marries the nutty flavor of quinoa with the fresh crunch of vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Rich in protein and fiber, this meal is the perfect satisfying option for lunch or dinner. Just cook quinoa according to package instructions, saute your choice of vegetables in olive oil, and mix with soy sauce or tamari for added flavor.
Dish 2
Lentil soup with spinach
Lentil soup with spinach is a hearty meal that ensures you get your share of nutrients like iron and protein. For this dish, simmer lentils in vegetable broth with diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices like cumin or coriander. Add fresh spinach towards the end of cooking to keep its vibrant color and nutritional value intact. This soup is perfect for warming up on cooler days.
Dish 3
Chickpea salad sandwiches
Chickpea salad sandwiches are a refreshing take on regular sandwiches, with mashed chickpeas as the filling. Combine chickpeas with diced celery, red onion, lemon juice, mustard, and herbs like dill or parsley. Serve the mixture on whole-grain bread or wraps with lettuce leaves for a crunch. This meal is filling as well as easy to assemble.
Dish 4
Sweet potato tacos
Sweet potato tacos make for a delicious replacement for regular tacos by filling roasted sweet potatoes as the star component. Cube sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces before roasting them until tender in an oven preheated at 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit). Fill corn tortillas with roasted sweet potatoes along with black beans; top it off using avocado slices; garnish using cilantro leaves; drizzle lime juice over everything before serving.
Dish 5
Zucchini noodles with pesto sauce
Zucchini noodles coupled with pesto sauce make an irresistible low-carb pasta alternative, quick enough for even the busiest weeknights. Use a spiralizer tool to make noodles from zucchinis, then toss these "zoodles" with homemade basil pesto made by blending together fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic cloves drizzled generously with olive oil, seasoned lightly with salt and pepper to taste preference.