Quick and Easy Vegan Recipes

Simple Vegetarian Meals That Take Little Time or Money to Prepare

These recipe ideas come from an article I wrote that was originally published on Suite101.com.  To see the article in its entirety, click on this link:  Quick and Easy Vegan Recipes.  In that original article, I talk a little about reasons to go vegetarian or vegan, but I'm guessing if you're here, you already have some ideas about that.  So, without further ado, here are some quick recipe ideas for when your appetite is big, but your desire to cook isn't!

Quick Stir Fry

Cook some whole grain boil-in-the-bag brown rice (takes about ten minutes). While the rice is boiling, run your favorite vegetables through the food processor (good choices include onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper). Throw some canned Chinese vegetables into the mix too (like bean sprouts or water chestnuts). In a hot wok or skillet, toss the vegetables with a little low-sodium soy sauce (for an extra dash of flavor, sprinkle some sesame oil and ginger in too). Two or three minutes is all the saute time the vegetables will need. Drain the rice and remove from the bag. Serve the vegetables over the rice.

Speedy Pasta Salad

Cook some of your favorite whole grain pasta (spirals or macaroni work really well). While the pasta is boiling, chop up some tomato and onion to taste. When the pasta is done cooking, it should be run under cold water to prevent it from overcooking. Toss the pasta and veggies with your favorite Italian dressing and enjoy.

Spaghetti

Yes, spaghetti. Many canned pasta sauces are vegan--just be careful to read the label. Some add dairy products, such as Romano cheese. Continue to choose with care, as many premade spaghetti sauces also contain excessive added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. It is possible, though, to find a healthy, delicious sauce. Heat the sauce in a pan on the stove while some whole wheat spaghetti boils on the stove. Serve with a side salad (some crisp Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers would complement the meal well) and eat up.

(Original article publication date:  August 19, 2009.)