Food

Though quinoa is highly nutritious, a lot of people are rather meh when it comes to its grassy flavour. But when disguised as a brownie-esque breakfast bowl with a caffeine-fuelled edge, quinoa becomes a truly crave-worthy stand-in for typical oatmeal. Toppings run the gamut of chopped nuts (try hazelnuts), raspberries, cherries, sliced banana, coconut chips, dollops of yogurt, sliced mint, and, of course, cacao nibs. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for three days. Reheat in the microwave or in a small saucepan with additional milk to add moisture back in.

This hempy vegan version of Parmesan is definitely not cheese, but it tops these amped-up stuffed potatoes with all the nutty, savoury flavour your taste buds yearn for. For a booze-free sauce, you can replace the wine with vegetable broth. Extras of the Hemp Parm can be sprinkled over steamed broccoli, pasta dishes, and tomato soup. Or blend it into vegan pesto. Better together  When sautéing onions, be sure to also toss salt into the pan; it draws out moisture, resulting in faster softening and better browning.  

This sweet-nutty-savoury twist on grilled cheese is perfect for kids—and kids at heart. The abundance of soluble fibre in chia allows it to form a gel-like consistency in the presence of liquid, making it useful in preparing quick jams. You can swap out peanut butter for almond butter or nut-free sunflower butter. Extras of the strawberry spread can be swirled into a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt

Who says granola needs to be served in a bowl with a spoon in hand? This adorable dessert plays by the nutritional rules and requires no apology for going from hand to mouth. The seedy granola cups can also serve as a make-ahead breakfast.

Sesame seeds add a nutritious crunch to buttery salmon and prove a weeknight meal can bring some gastro magic. Can’t find wild salmon? Rainbow trout or arctic char are good swaps. Going plant based?  The same miso spread and sesame coating can be used on tofu, which is then seared in a skillet for about 2 minutes per side.

Barely a day goes by when our blender isn’t whipping up an acai bowl. There is something addictive about acai bowls, and as far as addictions go, this is a good one! Get hooked on the antioxidant- and vitamin-rich sweetness of this fruity acai bowl with all the trimmings! Naturally sweet dishes like this acai bowl can help tame your cravings for sugar-laden processed foods, reveals Andrea Hannemann in <Plant Over Processed>—and cutting back on added sugars is a huge win for heart health. “While the American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added/refined sugar per day for women, and 9 teaspoons (38 grams) for men, the average American consumes around 20 teaspoons a day! We are a nation of sugar addicts,” she writes. “The processed foods that we eat are in large part to blame.”  

Tempeh is a delicious plant-based protein powerhouse that marries well with any recipe. It’s meaty, firm, and almost nutty in flavour. It is versatile and lends itself well to any marinade. We’ve given it a bit of a “bacon” overtone by adding a little smoke flavour to our recipe. No chili miso?  Chili miso can be found in most popular grocery stores or fine food shops. If your search is unsuccessful, substitute with a little miso and chili garlic oil. Make-ahead cheats  Smoky tempeh can be made ahead. Since it’s so delicious, you might want to double up the recipe and freeze. To serve, simply remove a few cubes from the freezer and reheat in oven. Serve on tacos, veggie chili, tossed on salads, or tucked in a pita.

This colourful winter salad is a delicious stand-alone dish or can compliment any menu. In the case of an entirely plant-based meal, pair it with our Smoky Tempeh over a bed of Confetti Millet. Versatile tofu mayo  Tofu mayo is delicious drizzled over any salad. It’s excellent for a Caesar salad, over roasted beets, and even asparagus and broccoli.  

With current pandemic restrictions, it’s unlikely many of us will be venturing south any time soon. Instead, we’ve brought the flavours of Mexico to you with this recipe—a delicious and light stew, reminiscent of a dish served on the beaches in Zihua. The brightly coloured squash is paired with hot peppers and roasted tomatoes, then spiked with lime. It’s a perfect antidote to a cold January night. For a creamier stew, give it a few pulses with a handheld immersion blender before adding diced pepper and collards. Some like it hot; some not  The use of hot peppers is extremely individual. Some can comfortably eat the hottest of peppers while others can barely handle a little black pepper. In this recipe, we’ve included some hot pepper options. With jalapeno being the least hot, add or eliminate peppers as desired. And in the event of taste buds on fire, be sure to have plenty of plain yogurt available to provide edible soothing relief.  

The sunflower seeds and citrus in this delicious bread recipe are both excellent for immune health. Couple them with oats and it’s also a satisfying breakfast loaf. Serve with apple butter and assorted fruits, or with a dairy-free cheese substitute topped with crisp greens and fresh papaya. Appetizer bites  Making dough into thumbprint appetizer bites is another way to prepare this delicious recipe. Press a tablespoon of rested dough into the cups of a silicone mini muffin pan, each 3/4 full. Press an indent in centre of each. Bake for 45 minutes, or until firm and dry. Thoroughly cool and gently pop out. Pipe centres with a dollop of savoury hummus, and garnish. Serve at once.  

The brilliant orange of sweet potatoes blended with black beans and Indian spices create a perfect warming dish for January. But its tremendous eye appeal provides more than just looks. The flavour and nutritional benefits contribute a wealth of antioxidants that will protect your body from chronic disease. Any bean’ll do  We used black beans for a visual punch, but any bean, lentil, or legume will make a great substitute. And if dried beans are your preference, soak overnight, drain, and cook in a large saucepan with enough water to cover by 3 in (8 cm). Then add to cooked potato.