Vegetables play the starring role in these easy meals, ready in 30 minutes or less
Written bySunsetFebruary 2, 2011
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Annabelle Breakey
1 of 26Annabelle Breakey
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Earthy sweet potatoes add depth to this vegetarian chili. New Mexico chile powder is fruity and mild, so don’t be scared off by the generous amount called for here. Feel free to swap in any other kind of chile powder you have on hand—just use less of it.
This one-pan supper couldn’t be easier. Roast mushrooms and leeks in a sheet pan for a few minutes. Then add eggs and a little goat cheese, and bake about 10 minutes more.
Pan-searing sliced tofu gives it a meatiness that’s deliciously offset by crunchy vegetables and a drizzle of black bean sauce (pour on a little less if you’re salt-sensitive). The Asian ingredients can be found in any large grocery store.
Romesco is a classic Spanish sauce made of ground tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, and almonds. We turned it into a twist on cream of tomato soup, with lentils added for a nice protein boost.
8 of 26Photo by Annabelle Breakey; styling by Dan Becker
Stir-Fried Eggplant and Tofu
Oyster sauce adds wonderful 'umami' to this Asian-inspired dish, and can be found in the ethnic foods aisle of most supermarkets. Serve over fluffy rice for a satisfying meal.
Black Bean Soup with Avocado, Orange, and Cucumber
This Southwestern-inspired soup hits all the right notes: solid protein from the beans, crunchiness from the cucumber, creaminess from the avocado, a sweet hit of acidity from the citrus, and a hint of spice.
This Greek pita recipe can be put together easily for a quick and fun dinner. Grill Mediterranean halloumi cheese for a tasty, gooey base to the sandwich.
Cutting tofu into sticks about the same size as green beans gives this dish an elegant look; it also means lots of surface area for the tofu to get brown and flavorful as it cooks.
When you need dinner in a hurry, an omelet is a great option. This one takes only 20 minutes. It’s filled with crisp rye bread croutons and rich, nutty gruyère cheese.
If you stock your pantry with tamarind paste (made from the sweet-sour fruit by the same name), a few spices, and canned chickpeas, this tasty dish makes an excellent last-minute meal, as it comes together in only 30 minutes.
Feel free to use this recipe as a template for experimentation with different types of lentils or tofu instead of the pressed Indian cheese called paneer.