Vegan recipes are a healthy and delicious way to embrace plant-based living. From hearty main dishes and cozy soups to savory salads, fresh side dishes, and show-stopping desserts, our vegan recipes make it easy to enjoy delicious meals that are good for you and the planet.
Canned black-eyed peas and bold Greek flavors make this vegan stew simple to whip up. Pair it with crusty bread or serve over orzo for a satisfying dinner.
Savory Mushroom Galette with Leeks
The light, flaky pastry in this savory galette looks beautiful and tastes delicious. It’s made with a simple combination of flour, salt and cold vegan butter that’s pulsed in the food processor. The filling features a mix of mushrooms—baby portobellos and cremini are our favorites—and leeks, drizzled with a garlicky cashew sauce made from a high-speed blender and topped with melted gruyere.
For the dough: Place the flour, fine sea salt and cold vegan butter in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the ice water a tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together.
Spread the dough onto a baking sheet, leaving a 2-inch border. Place the mushroom spinach filling over the cheese, then fold the edges of the crust over. Brush the dough with an egg wash to help it brown. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve this savory galette as an appetizer or as a light spring meal with a side salad.
Roasted Eggplant “Meatballs”
Eggplant meatballs are a hearty, delicious vegetarian option that can be served over spaghetti with any desired toppings. They are packed with Italian flavor and a meat-like texture that both vegans and non-vegetarians will love!
To make these eggplant “meatballs,” first roast the peeled and diced eggplant. This gives it a rich, smoky flavor. Then, add the pureed eggplant and the rest of the ingredients to a bowl. Mix well until combined and then form into 2-tablespoon sized balls.
Bake the eggplant meatballs on a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes turning them half-way through. They will be soft when they are hot but will firm up as they cool.
While the eggplant is cooking, prepare the tomato sauce. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute until it starts to sizzle. Then add the tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Simmer the tomato sauce for 20 minutes.
Black Bean Brownies
This fudgy dessert is vegan, gluten free, oil free and has 5 grams of protein per serving. It only takes a few everyday ingredients and bakes in just 30 minutes!
Black beans give these brownies the most moist and fudgey texture possible. No soaking necessary, and using low-sodium canned black beans makes these brownies even healthier. Old-fashioned oats act as the flour and provide extra fiber. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that adds a sweet maple flavor to the brownies. Baking soda, a leavening agent, works with white vinegar to flufff up the brownies. Cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavor that distinguishes brownies from other desserts.
Pumpkin puree works as an egg replacement to bind the other ingredients together. You can also use mashed banana or flax eggs to keep these vegan.
Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper so it extends over the edges. Add all ingredients except for the vegan chocolate chips to a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to the prepared pan and top with chocolate chips. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Cool and serve.
Plum Blossoms
Plum blossoms (Prunus mume) bloom at the end of winter and signal new beginnings. They are a revered symbol of hope, renewal, and the ability for beauty to thrive in the face of adversity.
In Japan, plum blossoms are called “ume,” and they symbolize loyalty and elegance in the hanakotoba language of flowers. They are often used as a garnish for desserts, especially pies, tarts, and ice cream. They can also be sprinkled on savory and sweet main dishes, tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, or spring rolls for an elegant touch of color.
Plum blossoms have a similar cultural significance in China, where they represent luck, prosperity, and fruitfulness. The five round petals of the blossoms signify the balance of the Five Elements and are a common motif in Feng Shui. They are frequently used as artwork to promote a sense of hope, joy, and resiliency. They are also believed to protect against illness and bring good fortune.
