My Simple Vegan Meals
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With all these fabulous vegan food bloggers these days who create masterpieces weekly or daily, it can be hard coming to terms with my own kitchen inadequacies. But the truth is I just don’t really enjoy food preparation. And I have a hard time understanding people who do.
To me, it’s time consuming, messy, frustrating, and can be fattening (if baking vegan treats). I’d much rather order in.
But I’m a grown-up. And grown-ups don’t get to ignore their responsibilities just because they want to. I don’t get to use the excuse that cooking is too difficult or too messy. I have a responsibility to my health. I have a responsibility to my budget. I have a responsibility to animals. I have a responsibility to the planet and future generations.
So I’ve come up with a few very simple vegan dishes that I eat on a regular basis (when I can’t convince my husband to cook for me). Since it’s Vegan MoFo and all, I figured I’d share them:
- Oatmeal for breakfast - I take a 1/2 cup of dry quick-cook oats and add a cup of water. I microwave that for 2 minutes and then top it with a bit of agave nectar or maple syrup. I usually enjoy that in the mornings with coffee or juice.
- Quick Chili for lunch or dinner – I take a can of black beans, drain and rinse them. Add them to a pot with a cup (or less) of frozen corn and a can of diced tomatoes. I add a premixed cajun spice blend or some hot sauce. I heat that up for about 5 minutes or until hot and serve it over brown rice, quinoa, or couscous.
- Easy Stir-Fry fro lunch or dinner - I take a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and toss them into a wok or frying pan. I add soy sauce and heat through. Serve it over rice or just alone. I don’t even bother with adding tofu, seitan, or tempeh unless I’m extra hungry.
- Mono meals for any time of day - This is a favorite when I’m feeling super lazy or when a particular fruit is ridiculously cheap. I have been known to eat a whole cantaloupe or watermelon in one sitting as a meal. The raw foodists do this all the time for health reasons. But I do it because it’s easy.
- The Veggie Burger for lunch – There are these “big box stores” that sell giant boxes of veggie burgers. These used to be a staple in my household. Whenever we wanted a quick and easy meal, we just popped a frozen burger in the microwave or the George Foreman grill. Stick it between two slices of bread or inside a bun and you’re done.
- Refried beans - We’ve always got a can of vegan refried beans in the cupboard. I like them heated up with added salsa and corn or peppers. Then they get piled on top of rice or inside a tortilla. Yum.
- Rice dish for dinner – I love my rice cooker. Sometimes I’ll set it up for plain rice and then add in some fruits, veggies, or beans and spices. Just turn it on and come back later to eat. So simple.
What do you eat that’s SUPER simple and vegan?
I heart super simple meals.
I also do the burger thing cos it’s crazily easy as well as the stirfry veg but I use fresh veg and more sauces.
Also love tofu scramble – and if you are lazy like me you can add capers, olives, sundried tomatoes and jalapenos so you don’t even have to chop up anything.
Thanks for the great simple meal ideas!
I like to saute onions and zucchini and / or yellow squash, and then pour in a a can of tomatoes. Add some Italian herbs and serve straight up or over noodles or rice.
Beans and rice is another favorite in my house – heat one can of black beans + salsa in a saucepan and serve over rice. Garnish with Daiya and avocados.
I buy canned soup when it’s on sale – the vegetarian Progresso kind – and I have these dehydrated soy chunks I got for supercheap from a West Indian supermarket. I just throw a handful in, let it simmer for a while, and I have awesome protein-rich yummy soup that almost tastes like it’s got chicken in it.
Also, pita & hummus = my go-to food when I’m rushed or lazy. I’ll cut up a red pepper or add some carrot sticks for vitamins.
Absolutely fabulous! As mom and full time freelancer, simple is always a plus!! Thanks for some great ideas!
Im very new to vegan food .Yours idea are very helpful I loved !Absolutly loved !!!!! Thank you (-:
One of my goals this year is to go vegan during Lent. It’s a big step, but perhaps it will open up a new way of life. Who knows? At any rate, I’m a philosopher, not a cook, lol! Thanks for this helpful post!
So, I have been working on my way of eating for close to two years. It’s a process for sure. I was determined to make it simple. I think we all make it way too complicated. Here are a couple of my favorite..so so easy to prepare meals.
baby red potato, carrots and onions drizzled w/ olive oil and rosemary.. in the oven @ 350 for one hour. Yummy on a cold night!
Brown rice, broccoli, peas and cashews stir fried in soy sauce, honey and olive oil.
baby spinach leaves, walnuts and dried cranberries w/ olive oil and balsamic vinegar.