Food

Asparagus and beans are a classic salad combo. We’ve kicked it up a notch with a zesty lemon dressing and served it with seared scallops dusted with smoked paprika for an added robust flavour. And for extra crunch? Scatter some crisped onions or shallots overtop, if you wish; these are easy to make, but also available in various local food stores.

These colourful and hearty bites are one of those great nibbles you’ll find yourself whipping up again and again. The beans and sweet potato both contain a great amount of fibre that helps you feel full and keep hunger at bay. Don’t be surprised if these disappear first at your next gathering. Pair with Yuzo Basil Ricky!

Have your cake and vegetable too! No need to turn on the oven for this delicious chocolate tart; it’s quick to assemble and satisfyingly rich. Plus, the added black beans make for a nutrient-dense dessert with healthy protein-rich carbs.

Tip

Many women are leaning into motherhood in their thirties, when increased levels of folate are needed. In this recipe, dark leafy vegetables coupled with asparagus and artichokes add an über-healthy hit of folate. Not only is this bouquet lovely to look at, but it also offers a combination of flavours that virtually pop in your palate. DID YOU KNOW? Folate is a B vitamin naturally present in many foods and is essential for forming healthy DNA and other genetic materials. It’s especially important for pregnant women to facilitate the healthy division of cells. TIP: There are many foods naturally rich in folate that would be delicious with the Smoked Rosy Tahini Dressing. All dark leafy vegetables, Brussels sprouts, various nuts, black-eyed peas, and kidney beans are excellent sources of folate and would be a delicious substitute for the greens in the Asparagus Bouquet Salad.  

Have ripe bananas? The browner = the better. Nutritious and fluffy, this banana bread is also school friendly, as it’s free from common allergens like eggs, dairy, and nuts. Chickpea flour is a great gluten-free source of protein, fiber, and iron. See the recipe video here.

Gluten free | Dairy free

Serves 5

A healthy addition to this dish is the fermented bean paste, otherwise known as miso. It’s available in different strengths and colours. We suggest the light miso, as it’s less harsh and doesn’t overpower the salmon. Tip: Shiro miso is a paste made from white rice and fermented soybean, found in the dairy case. Substitute or partially substitute regular red radishes for daikon radishes for an added splash of colour.

After a long winter of steamy soups, this cold version is sure to bowl you over with its bright, earthy flavour. The trio of avocado, asparagus, and edamame (green soybeans) also ensures each spoonful is packed with hunger-quelling fibre. If desired, frozen lima beans can be used instead of edamame.

Smooth move

A lightened-up version of the popular chicken- and-waffle trend, these pops are given the Tex-Mex treatment for fun twist. The blender salsa comes together in minutes and is sure to become a refrigerator staple, as it also pairs well with eggs, fish, or roasted vegetables.

Tip

The caffeine kick and sugar rush delivered from a can of soda pop may help us get through the afternoon, but it’s not doing us any favours when it comes to our health. This DIY soda may be all you need to can your soda habit for good. By adding a splash of coconut milk, you can turn this soda into a creamy treat that rivals any coffeehouse creation.

A dish that appeals to the eye is bound to lure even the pickiest of eaters. Our fuchsia-coloured hummus does that and more. Packed full of healthy nutrients and an excellent source of fibre due to the cannellini beans, this dip can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a full-meal deal.

Tip

Halloumi is the quintessential cheese for carrying flavour, making it a versatile flavour star for many different dishes. In this spring salad, we’ve joined in-season Canadian maple syrup with South Asian curry and then added this delicious Cypriot cheese. It’s a potpourri of global fusion flavours all on one plate!

Asian meets Latin American in this incarnation of ceviche. Crunchy edamame beans provide a wonderful textural contrast, while placing all the contents in lettuce leaves makes each bite taste extra fresh. Ceviche doesn’t make for good leftovers, so make sure you’re feeding a table of salmon lovers. Alternatively, you can halve the recipe for a more intimate dining experience. To quicken prep, ask your fishmonger to skin the fish for you.

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.

Ayurveda focuses on balance, and there’s no better way to eat in equilibrium than with this warming blend of textures and flavors. Here, roasting brings out the naturally sweet qualities in carrots and asparagus, both served up with warm grains and tamarind-infused chickpeas.

You Do You

A simple stir-fry is a quick and easy meal that makes the most of fresh vegetables. This spring-inspired stir-fry leans on spring onions, the first fresh snow peas, baby spinach, and fiddleheads. Szechuan (a.k.a. Sichuan) peppercorns add a layer of complexity to this dish with a pleasing citrus flavour and a slight numbing heat. They can be found in specialty spice stores, but if you can’t find them you can still enjoy the gingery-garlicky, spicy heat of the other ingredients.

Bursting with vibrant flavours, this soup marries many classic Mediterranean ingredients. The fresh brightness of lemon and dill complement the heartiness of beans, kale, and artichokes, which are packed with nutrients. Though comforting on a cool day, this soup is also satisfying all year round.

Moist, chewy, and quite irresistible, these sweet blondies can be indulged in with impunity. The surprising inclusion of white beans adds protein and heart-healthy fibre, and it makes these squares the perfect guilt-free snack. If you’re not an apricot lover, don’t fret. You can use many jam and dried fruit substitutions to make these scrumptious blondies, such as

• strawberry jam and dried strawberries
• blackcurrant jam and dried blackcurrants
• cherry jam and dried sweet cherries (not the sour variety)

If green is the colour of well-being, then this soup is a health bomb. Roasting the vegetables serves to infuse each spoonful with smoky flavour, beans add body, feta offers salty richness, and microgreens provide a sense of spring freshness. Other little greens such as mustard, arugula, clover, and radish will also be most welcomed in this blend.

Into the fire

Think of these pea-infused savoury pancakes as a blank canvas ready to welcome all sorts of toppings such as smoked fish, a slick of hummus, or even just melted butter. And don’t forget to sprinkle on some additional pea shoots. Made by grinding up dried chickpeas into a fine powder, garbanzo bean flour contains higher amounts of protein and dietary fibre than typical types of flour such as whole wheat. You can also use it in pizza crusts, flatbreads, crackers, crepes, and muffins.

Crumbled tempeh provides incredible texture to this crowd-pleasing (and serving!) chili. It freezes well for a healthy heat-and-serve weeknight meal.

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 cornerstone of Mexican cuisine and famously complex, mole sauce typically takes days to prepare. This recipe cuts down on the prep and cooking time significantly, yet still yields a deeply flavourful, chocolate-kissed sauce that perfectly complements roasted butternut squash, earthy black beans, and zesty pickled onion.