As a vegan college student, I simply do not have the time to find good recipes, buy ingredients I probably will never use again, and spend hours cooking something that does not look, smell or taste appetizing. Therefore, I have compiled easy vegan recipes literally anyone can make.
Breakfast
Chocolate Coconut-Almond Oatmeal
1. Place 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of oatmeal and a pinch of salt in a microwave-safe bowl or mug and heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
2. Mix in 2 tbsp of nut butter (I use almond butter), 1 tbsp of maple syrup, 2 tsp of cocoa powder, and 2 tbsp of plant-based milk (I use coconut-almond milk).
3. Top with vegan chocolate chip, sliced almonds, and coconut flakes.
Experiment with mix-ins and toppings to find your perfect combo! Click here for more ideas.
Avocado Toast
You will need a toaster for this very basic (but easy to make) breakfast.
1. Find a toaster or a panini maker or a pan and a stove top.
2. Put your bread right in the toaster or oil the bread and toast on a panini maker/pan.
3. Combine avocado, salt and pepper, and some lime or lemon juice. I also add diced tomatoes and onions and red pepper flakes.
4. Serve with fruits.
Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
This smoothie is guaranteed to keep you full until lunch time!
1. Gather 1 1/2 cup of blueberries, 1 1/2 of a banana, 1/4 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tbsp of chia seeds, 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 tsp of vanilla, 1 1/2 cup of plant-based milk.
2. Blend and enjoy.
Lunch
Black Bean And Tofu Wrap
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1. Scramble tofu and fry on an oiled pan or panini maker.
2. Add salt, pepper, seasoning (like onion or garlic powder), black beans, and onions.
3. Cook until all the ingredients are incorporated well and the tofu begins to brown.
4. Place the scramble inside a tortilla, add some greens, and roll the tortilla to hold the contents.
5. Serve with salsa or your choice of sauce on the side.
Avocado Hummus Sandwich
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1. Oil bread and use a toaster, panini maker or pan to toast the bread.
2. Spread hummus on the bread. I use store-bought vegan hummus.
3. Place sliced avocados, tomatoes, red onions, and spinach inside the sandwich and add salt and pepper to taste.
Veggies And Rice Bowl
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1. Cook rice (Click here to learn how to cook rice) or buy cooked rice. Optional: add quinoa or lentils.
2. Top your rice bowl with colorful veggies and greens and a sauce/seasoning of your choice. I cook a mix of frozen veggies and add spinach and sriracha sauce.
Dinner
Black Bean Burgers
1. Drain one can of black beans and place it into a blender along with 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1 tbsp of chili garlic sauce, salt and pepper.
2. Mash half an avocado (save the other half for topping) and fold the black bean mixture into the mashed avocado.
3. Form patties and let them rest for 5 minutes (or refrigerate the leftovers for up to 5 days).
4. Add oil to a pan (or use a panini maker) and cook the patties until dark and crisp on the bottom. Flip and cook until the other side is also dark and crisp.
5. Serve on buns. Add the other half of the avocado, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, dijon mustard, etc.
Stir-Fry Noodles
1. Follow the package instructions to cook 1 cup of noodles. If you are using a microwave, add enough water to cover the noodles, sprinkle some salt, and microwave for 3-4 minutes, checking on them every 30 seconds. You might have to cook for longer depending on the noodles you are using.
2. Cook your choice of frozen vegetables- follow the instructions on the package or click here to learn how to cook veggies in the microwave. Add some chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
3. Drain the noodles and add it to the cooked vegetables. Mix the noodles and veggies and add more soy sauce if needed.
4. Serve with some sriracha, sesame seeds, nuts, etc. If you want to add tofu, click here for an easy recipe.
Creamy Garlic Pasta
You will need a stove for this dish. Conquer your fear of using a stove and/or borrow a friend's stove.
1. Cook a cup of pasta according to the package. Click here to learn how to cook pasta in a microwave.
2. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 half of a diced onion, and two garlic cloves into a skillet/ pan. Add some salt and pepper and stir frequently until softened.
3. Stir in 1 tbsp of flour (or more to thicken the sauce) and then slowly add 1 cup of almond milk so clumps do not form (add more milk for more sauce). Add some salt and pepper, bring it to a simmer, and cook for another 4-5 minutes to thicken.
4. Add the thickened sauce to the cooked pasta. I also add sautéed spinach and mushrooms or cooked veggies.
5. Serve with basil, extra black pepper or vegan parmesan cheese, if you are fancy.
With these easy recipes, there is no excuse for you to ever have an unsatisfying vegan meal. So, instead of reaching for your phone to postmate something, save some money, get some groceries, and become a master chef in less than 5 minutes.