Food

A take on traditional Chinese-style fried rice, this fried quinoa version is packed with protein and bursting with vibrant veggies. Add some extras or stick to these healthy ingredients for takeout style you won’t soon forget. Swap out pork for ground chicken or make it plant-based by choosing a meatless ground variety.

Is pizza night getting old? Ready for a new take on a family favourite? Try this delicious upgrade on typical pizza. This version, using roasted grapes and butternut squash, is bursting with flavour and satisfying pizza appeal and packed with nutritious ingredients that are less heavy than typical pizza. Invite the entire family to make personal versions for a fun family-style pizza night in.

Feeling like your favourite Indian takeout tonight? This plant-based curried bean and potato dish is an easy, delicious take on a classic Indian specialty. This version is made with a warm, mild traditional Indian curry, but can be made spicier with a green, yellow, or red Thai curry, if preferred.

You might think of protein as something you mainly get from a meal and, therefore, not a component of dessert. But, if you’re going to opt for dessert from time to time, why not consider working in ingredients that go big on this important macronutrient? It’s easier (and more delicious) than you may think!

Tender tofu and fresh-tasting mango sauce combine to make a nutritious, Japanese-style dessert with little effort. But don’t worry: your dessert will not taste beany. Silken soft tofu has a rather neutral flavour. The key here is to use blocks of very soft tofu as opposed to firm or extra-firm versions.

Fool is a classic English dessert made, traditionally, by folding a stewed fruit into a creamy, sweet custard. This modern take adds layers of sweet pumpkin flavour and swaps out much of the cream for higher-protein Greek yogurt. The crunchy chocolate topping is a special finishing touch.

Blondies are basically “blonde brownies.” There is no cocoa or melted chocolate in the batter of a blondie. Here, the nutritionally lacklustre all-purpose flour is swapped out for puréed beans for a higher dose of protein. The end result is just as tender and chewy without any noticeable bean flavour. A great potluck dessert option, too. If desired, chopped nuts can be used instead of chocolate chips.

This protein-heavy, plant-only sweet bread is great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. Sweet potato provides natural sweetness, while peanut butter adds richness to each slice. Serve with your favourite jam or jelly, or even a smear of cream cheese.

Surprise yourself with a rich and creamy, lemon-forward cottage cheese cheesecake that is much higher in protein than classic versions. A nut-based crust brings healthy fats to the dish and additional satiating protein. Serve it with berry sauce for a beautiful sweet tang and visual appeal. No springform pan? You can also make the cake using a regular round cake pan, but the recipe might make more cottage cheese filling than the pan can hold. 

Mousse—a perfect ending to a delicious meal, yet so much more. Our mousse can stand alone as a decadent treat served anytime of day. It’s made from the creamiest soy in combination with dark chocolate and espresso for an added kick.

Here’s a beautiful red-on-red salad. It has a great crunchy texture full of nutritional boosts for cardio health. From savoury to sweet, its guaranteed to be a favourite. 

There is a beautiful confluence of flavours in this delightful heart-healthy dish. A bit of West meets East with buffalo and coconut flavours married with red peppers. Served over Israeli couscous, it’s a world of deliciousness in a single healthy dish.

Seared scallops offer a little bit of decadence to special occasions. This tasty seafood dish is not only pretty, but it’s also full of flavour. And scallops are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids—a healthy fat that can balance cholesterol, thereby reducing risks associated with heart disease.

Here’s a delicious vegan dish that’s perfect for heart health and a Valentine’s dinner. Red kuri squash hails from Japan and has brilliant orange flesh. And the skin is edible too! It’s not such a struggle to cut, and the flavour almost has a buttery nutty overtone. We paired it with a filling made of powerful nutrients that will keep your cardio ticking well.

Gazpacho is traditionally served cold; however, creativity rules, and heating up cold soups in winter is a cozy fix that doesn’t compromise flavours! We’ve puréed this gazpacho to a creamy state. If you long for more texture, leave out some chunks of roasted beets. Finely dice and add at the end.

Dukkah, meaning “to pound” in Arabic, is a delicious nut and seed blend originating from the Middle East. Blends vary according to region and are typically enjoyed with bread dipped in olive oil. Our savoury dukkah recipe is a delicious blend of heart-healthy walnuts and almonds, served with our spicy hot gazpacho.

The versatility of white beans shines through in this dish, which employs them in two different ways: simmered and then roasted until crispy. The beans crown luscious sweet potato, flavoured with sage and thyme, heaped high on crispy tortillas. Not only do the beans provide a good source of protein, but the fibre in this dish provides 57 percent of our recommended daily value, along with healthy amounts of iron and potassium.

Grated white parsnips, formed into rosti and baked, make a perfect crispy bed to lay down some wilted greens and sweet, juicy omega-3-rich scallops. A dash of nutmeg in both the rosti and wilted greens pairs beautifully with the sweet flavour of the scallops and parsnips, while vinegar lends a hint of acid for balance.

A creamy lemon dressing with bright mint and sharp hits of feta lends a zesty bite to Brussels sprouts and almonds in this fresh, crunchy salad. Sure to satisfy, this protein- and fibre-rich salad goes a long way and keeps hunger at bay. Feta is relatively low in fat compared to other cheeses and high in protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Eating these nutrients together has been linked to improved bone density.

These scrumptious and versatile tartines make an excellent snack, lunch, or breakfast. Protein- and calcium-rich, creamy ricotta is first whipped up with honey and flavoured with parsley and red pepper flakes. Then it’s slathered on slices of sourdough baguette and topped with sautéed mushrooms and leeks. All that deliciousness comes with fewer calories and lower levels of salt and fat than many other cheeses.

A tofu larb is a meat-free version of the warm Lao salad that is usually made with stir-fried minced beef or pork. Its sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours and ample fresh herbs make for a sensual dish to eat. The addition of pickled carrots adds even more flavour nuances. You can omit the fish sauce if you need to keep this a plant-only dish.

During the blustery winter months, it’s always nice to serve salads with a warming element. Here, oven-roasted plant-based meatballs, tender farro, and oh-so-sweet sautéed tomatoes give this meal in a bowl star power. It’s a family meal that’s healthy, colourful, and satisfying. Instead of farro, you can use your favourite cooked grain, such as quinoa. Or leave the whole grains out altogether and serve with toasted pita bread. It’s also possible to make meatballs with ground beef, pork, or chicken.

Consider this a hefty one-bowl meal with minimum fuss and maximum taste: proof that straightforward and simple can also be delicious and satisfying. You can also add dollops of sour cream. If you want fewer carbs, it’s possible to omit the rice.