My Plant-Based Family

Feeding My Family a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, On a Budget

Main Dish Recipes

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

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Vegan Lettuce Wraps are the perfect light meal for hot or busy days. These whole food plant-based lettuce wraps are easy to customize with your favorite ingredients and sauces.

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

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I’ll often prep all the veggies ahead of time and assemble these quickly on my lunch break.

Years ago, I’m talking like almost 20 years ago, I used to order chicken lettuce wraps at Chili’s. They stopped serving them but the memory always stayed with me.

After going plant-based I realized how easy these would be to make using whole foods. These Asian inspired Vegan Lettuce Wraps are perfect for quick meals and easy snacks.

I prefer to eat them with raw veggies. They are so light and refreshing. If you have trouble eating a lot of raw veggies, you could steam or stir fry the veggies first, then assemble the wraps.

Best Lettuce for Lettuce Wraps

I’ve tried a lot of different types of lettuce for lettuce wraps but my favorites are:

  • Butter Lettuce
  • Red Leaf or Green Leaf Lettuce
  • Romaine Lettuce

I recommend using what you like or using what you have. If all else fails, chop it all up and make a salad! Yes, I do that too.

Tofu Filling for Lettuce Wraps

I’m happy to eat my lettuce wraps with just the raw veggies and sauce but I prefer to add tofu. Using baked tofu, sauteed tofu or air fried tofu helps make the lettuce wraps more filling. Leftover tofu is perfect for this. If you aren’t a fan of tofu, or can’t eat soy, I recommend chickpeas.

I won’t always go through the effort to cook tofu but if I have it, I’ll add it. If you are new to tofu, check out my Tofu Starter Guide.

Vegan Lettuce Wrap ingredients

Sauce for Lettuce Wraps

The thing that really makes these plant-based lettuce wraps my favorite is the sauce! Oh, how I love the sauce! It’s mostly natural peanut butter and tamari but I also add a little maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, lime juice and water. Sometimes I’ll add ginger, garlic or turmeric. You can also add crushed red pepper or Sriracha.

The natural peanut butter is way easier than regular peanut butter to mix into a smooth sauce. If you can’t use peanuts, sunflower seed butter works perfectly too. I think tahini would be a good substitute but you may need to change up the proportions.

I use tamari because it’s gluten-free and delicious. If you eat soy, you can use soy sauce. If you need to avoid soy, use coconut aminos.

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Plant-Based Lettuce Wraps

These quick and easy Vegan Lettuce Wraps are a great way to use up a lot of veggies and eat the rainbow. Lay out all the ingredients so everyone can build their own.

Lettuce Wrap Ingredients

  • Large Leaf Lettuce
  • Shredded Red Cabbage
  • Bell Pepper, julienne cut (I like red or yellow)
  • Carrots, matchstick or shredded
  • Red onion, sliced
  • Cucumbers, sliced into long sticks or diced

Tofu Ingredients

  • Tofu, drained, pressed and cubed
  • Spices are optional but you can use tamari, onion powder and/or garlic.

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Tamari
  • 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
  • water (to get pour able consistency)

Directions

For Tofu (optional)

  1. Drain and press your tofu to remove extra moisture. I use my EZ Tofu Press.
  2. Season if desired.
  3. Put tofu on a baking sheet covered with parchment. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Then flip tofu and bake for 15 more minutes.
  4. Allow to cool.

For Lettuce Wraps

  1. Wash and chop all veggies as mentioned in the ingredient list.
  2. Place a lettuce leaf on a plate and stack the veggies on top of each other. Don’t overload the wraps or they will be too difficult to pick up and all your ingredients will spill.
  3. Set aside

For Sauce

  1. In a medium bowl, add your peanut butter and tamari and stir well.
  2. Then add the maple syrup, rice wine vinegar and lime juice. Stir again until everything is mixed together. If you are using any other flavors like ginger or turmeric, add them now.
  3. Add water a few tablespoons at a time until you reach the desired consistency. I like mine easy to spoon our or pour. You want it about as thick as cold maple syrup, that will help it stay put.

Assembling the Lettuce Wraps

Take your lettuce wraps filled with veggies, add tofu if you are using, and spoon or pour your sauce on the inside of the lettuce wraps. If your lettuce wraps close, great, if not, tilt your head and eat them like a taco.

Yield: 4 servings

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Vegan Lettuce Wraps are the perfect light meal for hot or busy days. These whole food plant-based lettuce wraps are easy to customize with your favorite ingredients and sauces.

The veggies and sauce come together quickly. If using tofu, it will take the longest to cook.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

Lettuce Wrap Ingredients

  • Large Leaf Lettuce
  • Shredded Red Cabbage
  • Bell Pepper, julienne cut (I like red or yellow)
  • Carrots, matchstick or shredded
  • Red onion, sliced
  • Cucumbers, sliced into long sticks or diced

Tofu Ingredients

  • Tofu, drained, pressed and cubed
  • Spices are optional but you can use tamari, onion powder and/or garlic.

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Tamari
  • 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
  • water (to get pour able consistency)

Instructions

For Tofu

  1. Drain and press your tofu to remove extra moisture. I use my EZ Tofu Press.
  2. Season if desired.
  3. Put tofu on a baking sheet covered with parchment. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Then flip tofu and bake for 15 more minutes.
  4. Allow to cool.

For Lettuce Wraps

  1. Wash and chop all veggies as mentioned in the ingredient list.
  2. Place a lettuce leaf on a plate and stack the veggies on top of each other. Don’t overload the wraps or they will be too difficult to pick up and all your ingredients will spill.
  3. Set aside

For Sauce

  1. In a medium bowl, add your peanut butter and tamari and stir well.
  2. Then add the maple syrup, rice wine vinegar and lime juice. Stir again until everything is mixed together. If you are using any other flavors like ginger or turmeric, add them now.
  3. Add water a few tablespoons at a time until you reach the desired consistency. I like mine easy to spoon our or pour. You want it about as thick as cold maple syrup, that will help it stay put.

Assembling Lettuce Wraps


Take your lettuce wraps filled with veggies, add tofu if you are using, and spoon or pour your sauce on the inside of the lettuce wraps. If you lettuce wraps close great, if not, tilt your head and eat them like a taco.


Notes

See substitution notes in blog post.

You can prep this on the weekend by cutting up all the veggies, cooking the tofu and making the sauce. Then assemble in 5 minutes to enjoy throughout the week.

These do not last long once they are assembled and shouldn't be stored for more that a day assembled. The ingredients will stay fresh for 4-5 days if stored separately.

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© Holly Yzquierdo
Category: Main Dish Recipes

If you like these flavors, you will love my Quick and Easy Veggie Pad Thai! It comes together just as quickly.

Vegetable Spaghetti

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Pasta is a quick and easy meal, perfect for busy week nights. This Plant-Based Vegetable Spaghetti recipe is incredibly versatile. I used every vegetable I had but you can adapt it to your preferences and use your favorite vegetables.

Vegetable Spaghetti 

I normally prefer pasta with a lot of marinara! I can’t get enough! My family prefers a light hand with the marinara so I decided to up the veggies to see if they could take the place of my red sauce. 

Guess what, all of those delicious, fresh veggies more than made up for it. 

Vegetable Spaghetti ingredients.

Vegetable Spaghetti

This recipe will help you get your fill of veggies! It’s a great way to eat the rainbow! You can use wheat or gluten-free pasta. We choose spaghetti but you could use your favorite shape. 

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti, 16 oz package made according to package directions
  • Zucchini, 1 1/2 cups chopped
  • Broccoli, 1 1/2 cups chopped, about one crown
  • Carrots, 1 cup sliced
  • Mushrooms, 1 cup sliced
  • Onions, 1/4 diced
  • Tomatoes, 1 cup grape tomatoes
  • Garlic, 4 cloves minced
  • Spinach, a handful 
  • Petite diced tomatoes, 15 ounce can
  • Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Do

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
  2. Dump the Zucchini, Broccoli, Carrots, Mushrooms, Onions, Tomatoes and Garlic into a hot pan. I prefer a skillet or Dutch Oven (something with a large base). 
  3. Cook the veggies for about 7 minutes. If the veggies begin to stick or burn, add a few tablespoons of water as often as needed. Cover with a lid, stir every few minutes. 
  4. Next, dump in the petite diced tomatoes and the Italian seasoning. Give it a stir then cover with a lid.
  5. Cook for another 5, then add the Spinach. Stir occasionally. 
  6. Cook for 5 minutes while the Spinach wilts. The veggies should be tender and the grape tomatoes will have burst. 
  7. Pour the drained spaghetti into the veggies and mix well. Add salt and pepper if needed. 

Vegetable Spaghetti after the cooked veggies are put on top of the cooked pasta.

This simple recipes gets it’s flavors from the veggies. I like to taste the veggies while cutting them to make sure they taste fresh. You won’t create a delicious meal with old ingredients. I’ll chop a few extra veggies and toss them in a salad.

This Vegetable Spaghetti is a nice alternative to pasta with jarred marinara sauce and takes only a little more time. 

Vegetable Spaghetti is an easy plant-based recipe your family will enjoy.

Yield: 6 servings

Vegetable Spaghetti

Vegetable Spaghetti
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti, 16 oz package made according to package directions
  • Zucchini, 1 1/2 cups chopped
  • Broccoli, 1 1/2 cups chopped, about one crown
  • Carrots, 1 cup sliced
  • Mushrooms, 1 cup sliced
  • Onions, 1/4 diced
  • Tomatoes, 1 cup grape tomatoes
  • Garlic, 4 cloves minced
  • Spinach, a handful 
  • Petite diced tomatoes, 15 ounce can
  • Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
  2. Dump the Zucchini, Broccoli, Carrots, Mushrooms, Onions, Tomatoes and Garlic into a hot pan. I prefer a skillet or Dutch Oven (something with a large base). 
  3. Cook the veggies for about 7 minutes. If the veggies begin to stick or burn, add a few tablespoons of water as often as needed. Cover with a lid, stir every few minutes. 
  4. Next, dump in the petite diced tomatoes and the Italian seasoning. Give it a stir then cover with a lid.
  5. Cook for another 5, then add the Spinach. Stir occasionally. 
  6. Cook for 5 minutes while the Spinach wilts. The veggies should be tender and the grape tomatoes will have burst. 
  7. Pour the drained spaghetti into the veggies and mix well. Add salt and pepper if needed. 

Notes

Wheat or gluten-free pasta can be used.

Only use vegetables you like, skip any veggies you don't enjoy.

© Holly Yzquierdo
Category: Recipes
Looking for more pasta recipes? You can try my Busy Night Pasta that uses frozen veggies and my Instant Pot or my Pizza Pasta that uses your favorite pizza toppings.

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

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It’s finally here! You asked for an Instant Pot version of my Plant-Based Goulash and today I’m delivering. I’m so excited to share this Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash recipe with you. That’s right, no oil, no meat and no dairy!

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

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You know how much I love my Instant Pot! Here is one more reason, I think this easy recipe tastes even better than the stove top version! 

I am still experimenting with this recipe. It will remain mostly the same but I think I can cut down on the liquid and the pressure cooking time. I’m going to go ahead and post this because I’ve gotten about a hundred emails from those of you who are patiently waiting on this recipe! 

As I make it with small adjustments and get your feedback, I’ll update it. 

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

Instant Pot Lessons

This recipe takes a long time to come to pressure. It’s because it’s full of liquid. Soups usually take a long time for pressure to build. Then, once it’s done, it will seem very soupy. Don’t worry, a lot of the liquid will get absorbed as it cools down.

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

With Instant Pot recipes, the order you put ingredients in can make or break your meal. In many recipes, tomatoes or tomato products can cause weird things to happen. Some foods will cook more slowly with tomato products. Other times, your pot will say “BURN” and you’ll get food stuck to the bottom, preventing it from coming to pressure.

With this recipe, the important thing to remember is to add the tomato products last and do not stir them in. I didn’t have any problem with this recipe burning or sticking but I’m always careful with tomato.

 

I was also nervous about cooking lentils and pasta together but it totally worked. Next time, I’ll cook it for 5 minutes instead of 6 to see how it goes. Both the lentils and the pasta were very soft. 

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

Did you grow up eating goulash? This Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash is made with whole food ingredients, and a few canned products for convenience. Your family will love this hearty comfort food.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Veggie Broth
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup dry brown lentils
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (I used Tamari)
  • 1 15 oz can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup uncooked pasta, I used macaroni 
  • 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
  • 1 15 oz can of petite diced tomatoes

Do

  1. Add the veggie broth, onion, garlic, peppers, lentils spices, Worchershire sauce, soy sauce (or Tamari), kidney beans, pasta and bay leaf.
  2. Give it a stir to mix it together.
  3. Then pour in the tomato sauce and petite diced tomatoes.
  4. Put on the lid and lock it in place sealing the lid. Close the vent.
  5. Press Manual or Pressure Cook (depending on your model) and adjust the time to 6 minutes.
  6. Wait for the pot to come to pressure and cook all the way.
  7. Once the pot is done, carefully open the pressure release valve to release the pressure.
  8. Once the pot is depressurized, open the lid and stir. Allow it to cool down before eating. Finish with salt and pepper if needed.

I think this recipe could use less liquid and I’ll be trying it with less soon. The stove top version has a lot of evaporation and this one does not. 

Yield: 5+

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash

Plant-Based Instant Pot Goulash is an easy and delicious recipe. Your family will love this hearty comfort food.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 46 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Veggie Broth
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup dry brown lentils
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (I used Tamari)
  • 1 15 oz can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup uncooked pasta, I used macaroni 
  • 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
  • 1 15 oz can of petite diced tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Add the veggie broth, onion, garlic, peppers, lentils spices, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (or Tamari), kidney beans, pasta and pay leaf.
  2. Give it a stir to mix it together.
  3. Then pour in the tomato sauce and petite diced tomatoes. DO NOT STIR!
  4. Put on the lid and lock it in place sealing the lid. Close the vent.
  5. Press Manual or Pressure Cook (depending on your model) and adjust the time to 6 minutes.
  6. Wait for the pot to come to pressure and cook all the way.
  7. Once the pot is done, carefully open the pressure release valve to release the pressure.
  8. After the pot is depressurized, open the lid and stir. Allow it to cool down before eating. Finish with salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

Make sure you add the tomato sauce and petite diced tomatoes last and do not stir them.

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© Holly Yzquierdo
Category: Instant Pot

Freezer Meals

If you want to make this as a freezer meal go ahead. Cook as instructed but leave out the pasta. Pasta isn’t very freezer friendly. Then when you are ready, defrost the Goulash and warm it on the stove or in the Instant Pot. Cook a quick batch of pasta to add to the previously cooked Goulash.

Have you made this yet? Let me know what you think! I’d love to hear how you adapt it to your family’s tastes. 

Enjoy!

One Pot Broccoli and Rice

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One of my husbands favorite plant-based meals has always been my Broccoli Rice Casserole. I’ve simplified it into a quick and easy one pot meal that can be made in a skillet. I hope you love this One Pot Broccoli and Rice Skillet as much as he does!

One Pot Broccoli and Rice

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This is actually the third version of this recipe on my site! In the first, you have to cook the rice, and the sauce, and the broccoli and combine. It’s not hard but it’s a lot of dishes. The second version is a Crock Pot recipe that is really easy but takes hours to cook. I also make it in the Instant Pot but I haven’t shared that version yet.

This version of my Broccoli and Rice is done in less than half an hour! I changed up the ingredients a bit to make this quicker version. The biggest change was using Jasmine rice. I used to always use brown rice but it take about 45 minutes to cook on the stove.

When I asked my readers what they wanted, most said quick and easy recipes so that has become my focus! I want to help you!

One Pot Broccoli and Rice

When I made this, we eat it as a main dish. It works well as a side dish as well. I think it’s one of those perfect dishes, like my Mexican Casserole, that can be made as is to keep plant-based eaters happy but served with a side of meat for family members who aren’t on a plant-based diet.

This recipe makes 4 servings when eaten as a main dish. It reheats well, my husband always takes the leftovers to work for lunch and heats it up in the microwave.

When I asked my readers what they wanted, most said quick and easy recipes so that has become my focus! I want to help you!Click to Tweet

Plant-Based Broccoli and Rice

Ingredients

Do

  1. In a skillet with a lid, bring your water to a boil.
  2. Add rice and seasoning and stir well. Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cover with a lid.
  3. Cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Stir well, and add 1 cup of plant-milk and all your broccoli. Cover with the lid. If you feel like it’s too dry, you can add 1/2 a cup of water.
  5. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until broccoli is tender. I cooked for 5 and needed a couple more minutes, it will depend on your heat and the size of your broccoli.

This Broccoli and Rice came out perfect! We added a little more salt to our individual bowls.

Yield: 4 servings

One Pot Broccoli and Rice

One Pot Broccoli and Rice
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups Jasmine rice
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup plant-based milk, I used unsweetened rice milk
  • 3 cups chopped broccoli

Instructions

  1. In a skillet with a lid, bring your water to a boil.
  2. Add rice and seasoning and stir well. Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cover with a lid.
  3. Cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Stir well, and add 1 cup of plant-milk and all your broccoli. Cover with the lid. If you feel like it’s too dry, you can add 1/2 a cup of water.
  5. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until broccoli is tender. I cooked for 5 and needed a couple more minutes, it will depend on your heat and the size of your broccoli.
Category: Recipes
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Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

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Every once in a while I get on a kick where I only want to eat one thing, fortunately for me that one thing is a super simple, whole food, Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl!

Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

The temperatures in Arizona area finally on the rise. I’m slowly putting my soups aside and embracing fresh, raw veggies! If you are still frozen I’m sorry! Maybe you can enjoy this bowl in front of the fire and think about warmer days ahead!

The great thing about Mediterranean Bowls is that you can easily adapt it based on what you have and what you like.

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Gluten-Free Mediterranean Bowl

Most of the Mediterranean Bowls I’ve seen use quinoa but some use rice or no grain (or pseudo-grain) at all. Quinoa is great because it’s gluten-free, easy to cook, and I always have some in my pantry.

While the quinoa cooked, I got the veggies ready. Romaine lettuce is my favorite but you can choose your favorite greens. I love red and yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. Chickpeas were the perfect addition because I also made hummus! My Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus was perfect in this but I may try my Red Pepper Dip next time.

I set out all the veggies, chickpeas and quinoa and my son made his own bowl. His was pretty much the same except he added apples and cuties and left out the hummus and peppers.

After cutting up all the veggies, I have enough for lunches all week plus some snacks! I’ve been able to make a quick salad with the veggies too. It’s so much easier to eat healthy meals when they are prepped and ready to go!

There are endless combinations you can choose for your bowl if this one isn’t exactly your thing.

  • Sweet Peppers
  • Artichokes
  • Avocado
  • Pickled Onions
  • Carrots
  • Sprouts
  • Micro Greens
  • Roasted Veggies
  • Fresh Herbs
  • Spinach

The list is endless! Please leave a comment and let me know what you want to eat in your bowl!

Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

Oil-Free Mediterranean Bowl

Most Mediterranean Bowls are topped with oil or and oil and vinegar type dressing. The hummus does a great job replacing the need for oil and the extra squeeze of lemon gives it an extra boost of acidity. You do not need the oil!

My boys love balsamic vinegar, if you are a fan, you could try it in this bowl. I didn’t think it would mix well with the hummus so I left it out this time.

When I made this bowl I bought olives to go with it. Our grocery store has an olive bar that I’d been wanting to try. My kids and husband love olives so I thought this would make the bowl a little more fun for them.

I, however, do not like olives. I’ve never found an olive I didn’t want to spit out! HA! While I put a few olives in my bowl I didn’t actually eat them. I loved my bowl so much I couldn’t risk it. More for my family.

Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

This Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl is gluten-free, nut-free, and perfect for the veggie lovers in your house. This meal is easy to make ahead during meal prep and take for lunch or enjoy it at the end of a long day. These measurements make 4+ bowls.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 head romaine lettuce (or your favorite lettuce).
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1-2 bell peppers (I used 1 red and 1 yellow)
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes (or equivalent fresh diced tomatoes)
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 lemon
  • Kalamata olives (optional)
  • 1 cup hummus

Do

  1. Bring 2 cups water to boil, then add the quinoa and cover with a lid. Turn pot down to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes or until quinoa is done and water is absorbed. Fluff quinoa and set aside.
  2. While quinoa is cooking, prepare the veggies. If you haven’t already, wash and dry them. I prefer to peel the cucumbers, dice the red onion, tear or slice the lettuce, and dice the bell pepper. I like to leave my bell peppers in pretty big chunks but its just a personal preference. I’ll leave the tomatoes whole if I’m saving the bowl for later and cut the tomatoes in half if I’m having it now.
  3. Create an assembly line with all the veggies. Drain and rinse your chickpeas.
  4. If you are making hummus from scratch, make it now.
  5. Assemble your bowls.
    1. Make a bed of lettuce with 1 cup romaine.
    2. Scoop in 1/4-1/2 cup cooked quinoa.
    3. Arrange fresh veggies on both sides of the quinoa.
    4. Add a dollop of hummus. Since it’s oil-free, I used about 1/4 cup.
    5. Spoon in about 1/3 cup of chickpeas.
    6. Garnish with lemon wedge and olives.

Serve

This Mediterranean Bowl is perfect for a weekend meal prep that can be enjoyed all week. It tastes just as good coming out of a lunch bag as it does when it’s freshly made, you can’t say that about most lunches!

Yield: 4 Bowls

Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl

This Plant-Based Mediterranean Bowl is gluten-free, nut-free, and perfect for the veggie lovers in your house. This meal is easy to make ahead during meal prep and take for lunch or enjoy it at the end of a long day.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 head romaine lettuce (or your favorite lettuce).
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1-2 bell peppers (I used 1 red and 1 yellow)
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes (or equivalent fresh diced tomatoes)
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 lemon
  • Kalamata olives
  • 1 cup hummus

Instructions

Bring 2 cups water to boil, then add the quinoa and cover with a lid. Turn pot down to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes or until quinoa is done and water is absorbed. Fluff quinoa and set aside.

While quinoa is cooking, prepare the veggies. If you haven’t already, wash and dry them. I prefer to peel the cucumbers, dice the red onion, tear or slice the lettuce, and dice the bell pepper. I like to leave my bell peppers in pretty big chunks but its just a personal preference. I’ll leave the tomatoes whole if I’m saving the bowl for later and cut the tomatoes in half if I’m having it now.

Create an assembly line with all the veggies. Drain and rinse your chickpeas.

If you are making hummus from scratch, make it now.

Assemble your bowls by making a bed of lettuce with 1 cup romaine. Scoop in 1/4-1/2 cup cooked quinoa, then arrange fresh veggies on both sides of the quinoa.

Add a dollop of hummus. Since it’s oil-free, I used about 1/4 cup.

Spoon in about 1/3 cup of chickpeas and garnish with lemon wedge and olives.

© Holly Yzquierdo
Do you eat Mediterranean Bowls? What are your favorite ingredients?

Chipotle Black Bean Chili

by 4 Comments

Nothing beats a bowl of hot chili when it’s cold outside!

Chipotle Black Bean Chili

My Texas Style Chili will always have my heart but sometimes I like to mix it up with different recipes. This recipe uses more ingredients but also has a more complex flavor. With ingredients like chipotle peppers, quinoa, and cinnamon all in one dish, you know you are getting something unexpected.

Chipotle Black Bean Chili

This recipe is easy to dump in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot after some quick chopping and measuring spices. I use canned beans and tomatoes for ease. If you aren’t a fan of spicy, you may want to reduce or omit the chipotle peppers. They give it a great flavor but it’s spicy!

Chipotle Black Bean Chili ingredients

Chipotle Black Bean Chili

Like all my recipes, you can easily change-up the ingredients based on your likes and dislikes, or what you have in your pantry!

Ingredients:

  • ½ of a 7 oz. can Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn
  • ¾ cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large cinnamon stick
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp. oregano (Mexican oregano if you have it!)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 (14 oz.) cans petite diced tomatoes with juice
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro

 

Chipotle Black Bean Chili ingredients

Directions:

  1. Place everything up through broth in slow-cooker or Instant Pot. Add in half of the chopped cilantro. (Save the other half of cilantro for garnishing).
  2. If you are cooking in a slow cooker, dump the tomatoes in and give it a stir. If you are using the Instant Pot, set the tomatoes aside for a minute and stir well. Then add the tomatoes, just dump them on top but don’t stir. Sometimes tomatoes and tomato sauces can cause Instant Pot recipes to burn or stick. Leaving the tomatoes on top of the other ingredients will keep that from happening.
  3. If using a slow cooker, cover with the lid then cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or high for 4 to 6 hours. If using an Instant Pot, close the lid and close the vent. Cook on high, pressing Manual or Pressure Cook (depending on your model) and adjust the time to 10 minutes. I prefer letting the Instant Pot version NPR (natural pressure release) for at least 10 minutes after it’s done.
  4. Stir well and remove the cinnamon stick.
  5. Serve in bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro or add your favorite toppings.

Chili Topping Ideas

There are so many great toppings you can add to chili. My favorites are tortilla chips to give it a little crunch and avocado to help tame the spiciness. Other great ideas are:

  • Cilantro
  • Diced avocados
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Lime wedges
  • Hot sauce
  • Diced green onion
  • Tortilla chips

Chipotle Black Bean Chili

My mom is visiting and loved this chili too. You don’t know my mom but that is saying something. She lives in Oklahoma where she raises horses, dogs, and cattle. She let all her Facebook friends know she ate vegan chili and liked it!

I think it’s safe to say for meat loving friends and family will love it too!

Instant Pot Chipotle Black Bean Chili

Instant Pot Chipotle Black Bean Chili

This interesting plant-based chili recipe is perfect for fall. With ingredients like chipotle peppers, quinoa, and cinnamon all in one dish, you know you are getting something unexpected.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ of a 7 oz. can Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn
  • ¾ cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large cinnamon stick
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp. oregano (Mexican oregano if you have it!)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 (14 oz.) cans petite diced tomatoes with juice
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Place everything up through broth in your Instant Pot. Add in half of the chopped cilantro. (Save the other half of cilantro for garnishing).

2. Set the tomatoes aside for a minute and stir well. Then add the tomatoes, just dump them on top but don’t stir. Sometimes tomatoes and tomato sauces can cause Instant Pot recipes to burn or stick. Leaving the tomatoes on top of the other ingredients will keep that from happening.

3. Close the lid on your Instant Pot and close the vent. Cook on high, pressing Manual or Pressure Cook (depending on your model) and adjust the time to 10 minutes. I prefer letting the Instant Pot version NPR (natural pressure release) for at least 10 minutes after it’s done.

4. Stir well and remove the cinnamon stick.

5. Serve in bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro or add your favorite toppings.

Notes

This recipe has a nice little kick thanks to the adobe peppers. This recipe is suitable for people who like spicy food, children may not enjoy the heat of this recipe.

© Holly Yzquierdo
Category: Soups, Stews, & Chili
Don’t forget to pin this recipe and add it to your meal plan! You can follow my Instant Pot board on Pinterest too!

Chipotle Black Bean Chili