Food

Vegans and dairy-free diners rejoice! A quick whir in the blender creates a snowy white alfredo sauce that won’t leave you needing a nap after dinner. Even tofu doubters will be asking for more (and the recipe). Tip: Just before serving, stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach, sliced kale, or blanched broccoli (heat with cooked pasta and sauce until wilted and warmed through) for a pop of festive green.

Light, yet satisfying, lettuce cups are an easy lunch to pack: use one container for the meat mixture and one for the lettuce leaves. The meat mixture can be made ahead; it also freezes well. Reheat before serving or dish up at room temperature.    

Chia seeds, cocoa, and coconut milk combine to make a dessert-worthy and omega-3-packed instant pudding. There’s no heat required, and the recipe can be adjusted to suit your mood with more or less sweetener, a pure vanilla version, or crushed raspberries folded in for a fruity switch-up.

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You won’t find white rice in this risotto—and you won’t miss it. Amaranth, a tiny seed filled with fibre and antioxidants, combines with toothsome pumpkin seeds for a similar risotto texture without the refined grains. Garnishing with evergreen-hued pumpkin seed oil elevates this dish to dinner party-worthy in a flash.

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Packed with protein, a range of minerals, and a little chocolate, these nut-free granola bars deserve a place in your lunch bag tomorrow. With four different varieties of seeds and a base of puffed quinoa (technically a seed itself), this snack gives new meaning to “bird food.”

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Superfood bowls are popular because they’re versatile, healthy, and satisfying. Here, a quadruple hit of seeds (if you count the quinoa) with baked poppy seed crusted tofu, creamy dairy-free sunflower seed dressing, and sunflower seed sprouts combine for a super-tasty dinner bowl.

This classic salad easily transforms into a lunch wrap. Swap tuna for cooked salmon or chicken if you have leftovers. Savoury Greek yogurt spread and eggs provide an extra boost of protein.

Coffee shop muffins with streusel toppings are loaded with sugar and fat. Most are also not safe for those with peanut allergies. With only 1 Tbsp (15 mL) of added sugar for the entire recipe, this is a truly healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly snack you can feel good about.

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Beans and legumes make for some of the most delicious and economical dinner options for all diners, from vegans to meat lovers. A range of pantry spices generously imbue this protein-, fibre-, and iron-loaded Indian stew with flavour. Brightened with fresh cilantro, it’s a thrifty dinner that tastes like a million bucks.

The velvet texture of avocado is pure heaven when blended with complementary ingredients. Avocado is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and fibre. Make a batch of this mayo on the weekend to enjoy throughout the week.

This yummy dairy-free cheese is devoid of the lactose and preservatives that can cause unpleasant symptoms in some people. Lemon juice and sea salt impart a cheeselike flavour, while cashew butter, coconut oil, agar, and tapioca flour create a desirable texture.

Black rice (sometimes called forbidden rice) is an antioxidant-rich grain that can be purchased in bulk—as can cashews—so you skip the hefty price tag. Paired with chicken and a sweet-and-sour sauce, this lightened-up fried rice is good to both your body and wallet.

Give canned tomatoes a gourmet makeover by roasting them. Not only does this increase their levels of lycopene (an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the impairment of cells), but it also brings out a richness mimicking the intensity of a fresh summer tomato—at any time of year.

Compared to fresh salmon, canned salmon contains similar levels of omega-3s, vitamin D, and protein— at a lower price tag. To perk it up, these cakes are hit with an assertive Thai peanut sauce and served in refreshing lettuce cups.

With a mellow, family-friendly flavour, this is a soup you’ll make over and over again. Plus it freezes well, so why not double the batch? If you’re looking for more heat, finish with hot sauce or add more jalapeno. Increase the protein content by sprinkling on crumbled feta.

Tuscan kale is also known as cavolo nero (black kale) or dinosaur kale. Its slightly bitter flavour is a good foil for the sweet roasted squash. To bump up the protein content, sprinkle with chopped almonds or walnuts, or top with a poached egg.

Soup is the ultimate budget-friendly pantry meal. Even if you’re not feeding the masses, make the entire batch for a week of healthy, hearty winter lunches and skip the excessive price tag (and sodium levels) of cafeteria versions.

Forget “brinner” (breakfast for dinner) and get your egg on at lunchtime. Get double the protein power with eggs and tofu. While sweet potatoes rank higher on the glycemic index, pairing them with protein helps keep insulin levels from shooting through the roof.    

Dairy-free yogurt is fun to make, and it acts as a versatile base for a variety of recipes. Even if you’re not dairy intolerant or vegan, this creamy, mild, and sweet recipe is one to try!

Black rice is quickly becoming a pantry staple. It’s full of rich, grapey taste and has an inky hue that makes white rice shake in its boots. Paired with sweet seasonal squash, satisfying chicken, and a cheese that bites back, this burrito is an ideal way to warm up to fall and winter cuisine without fully committing.

Pesto lends both colour and flavour to this meal-in-a-bowl. You can easily customize this recipe to match your own personal tastes by replacing the broccoli and spinach with your favourite veggies.

Enchiladas are much like a Mexican version of lasagna. Here, tortillas are filled with white beans, sweet potato cubes, and cheddar cheese. The rolls are blanketed in a rich, smoky red pepper sauce for an entrée that needs little else than a side salad or bright slaw.

Fish soft tacos are trendy for a reason-—they’re delicious! However, if you’re following a plant-based diet or simply want to embrace your inner tofu lover, you don’t have to miss out. Tofu crusted in crunchy cornmeal and baked (not fried) is the “meat” in this fish taco facsimile. A zippy mango red onion relish brightens everything up to transport you (at least in spirit) to the sandy beaches of Mexico in no time.

This is a colourful and unique appetizer that will get your guests talking! By baking the pumpkin and prepping the sauce in advance, it comes together quickly; make this the first dish on and off the barbecue for grill night or before Thanksgiving dinner.