These easy and delicious meals and sides are so delicious that for some people, the "vegan" part is an afterthought!
Best Ever Vegan Chili
If the thought of sweet potatoes in your chili [1] seems sacrilegious, well, just try it. It adds a scrumptious hit of beta-carotene in a bowlful of iron and protein - a comforting, tasty bowlful of energy.
Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipe
The combination of sweet potato, cauliflower, and red pepper bursts with antioxidants and Vitamins A and C. Plus, the sauce is so creamy [2], it's hard to believe that there is no actual cream involved! Not only does this "cheese" sauce go great with pasta, it also makes a great dip for tortilla chips—although, those are OFF my "to-eat" list right now . . . at least until my jeans fit again!
Vegan Slow Cooker Hearty Tomato Lentil Soup
Occasionally, as a non-vegan, I like to stretch my own ideas of what needs to be in a meal and make a vegan dish the whole family will hopefully enjoy [3], but at least try – which is exactly what happened with this Vegan Slow Cooker Hearty Tomato Soup.
The Very Best Vegan Tofu Scramble
I was creating this dish one day, adding sundried tomatoes and flavourings until it was just so. I offered up a taste to my husband, with low expectations as to his reaction. It's tofu, after all, and he was busily cooking a pound of bacon. To my surprise and shock, he devoured it with enthusiasm and asked for more [4].
Nacho Everyday Vegan Cheese Sauce
Even if you love the kind that comes in a jar and gets heated up in the microwave, I encourage you to give this a try, if only to be able to tell your friends that you made a "cheese sauce" out of potatoes and carrots [5].
Magical Meatless Mushroom Gravy
In my house, this gravy is enjoyed by my meat-loving family, especially when my husband cooks a roast or a turkey on the grill [6], which doesn't allow for traditional gravy-making. It's easy to make and so delicious!
Chickpea and Mushroom Burger
Like most veggie patties, they are a little more delicate than beef burgers [7], but they're well worth the small amount of extra effort. They also freeze wonderfully; just wrap them separately and pop them in the freezer for a quick weeknight supper.
No-Cheese, Vegan Cauliflower Pizza Crust
There are a few steps involved, but not more than making your own pizza crust from scratch, and the best part is that it's delicious and healthy! [8] Two of my favourite things. Let your freak flag fly, give this a try!
Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup With Homemade Croutons
I love a warming, savory soup in the cold winter months, and this Portobello mushroom soup [9] really hits the spot. You don't NEED to make your own croutons to top this creamy vegan soup, but I highly recommend them. In fact, you might want to double the batch so you can sneak back into the kitchen later and scarf them down by the handful.
Creamy Pumpkin Bisque
This pumpkin soup is perfect for those chilly fall days; it's thick and hearty and is a meal on its own [10]. I love to serve this topped with pumpkin seeds or croutons, with a warm-from-the-oven slice of crusty bread. It's the edible equivalent to a cozy blanket and fuzzy slippers: warming, comforting, and good for the soul.