Food

This fresh-tasting, creamy soup once again proves green is the colour of health. And it’s a plant-based soup that brings the protein. Serve it as a starter for a meal or as a light meal itself along with some toasted crusty bread. Protein power: With 13 g of protein in each cup (250 mL), frozen edamame is a great way to get more protein into your diet without breaking the bank. The immature green soybeans are also rich in fibre and a wide range of micronutrients, including folate and magnesium. A garnish of crunchy pumpkin seeds adds another layer of plant-based protein. Frozen asset For extra convenience, you can use frozen broccoli florets in soups like this. They are likely just as nutrient dense as the fresh option. The sub-zero florets can go straight from the freezer to the pan.

Looking for a fun and healthy treat to help you cool off on a hot day? These Shirley Temple ice pops are a perfect choice! Made with antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice and fresh, puréed oranges, these ice pops are not only delicious but also kid-friendly and packed with nutrients. Plus, with no added sugars or artificial flavours, you can feel good about giving them to your little ones. So, grab your ice pop moulds and get ready to enjoy this refreshing, fruity treat! Fruit, and nothing but the whole fruit Using whole fruits whenever possible, instead of juicing, keeps all the extra nutrients, including fibre, where it belongs—in your meal!

Looking for a healthy alternative to traditional french fries? Look no further than jicama! These crispy and delicious “fries” are made from this crunchy root vegetable that’s low in calories and high in fibre. Add the irresistible “everything” seasoning blend made from sesame seeds, garlic, onion, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt. With their satisfying crunch and subtle sweetness, jicama fries will become a family favourite. Everything bulk A lot of companies are coming out with their own brands of“everything but the bagel” seasoning, but it’s quite easy to make at home. Combine garlic powder, onion powder, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and a bit of salt, and you have an inexpensive seasoning that goes on, well, everything!

Pasta with a simple sauce is likely a weekly, even daily, staple in most homes with little ones. This plant-based dish may not include meat, but protein is still high on the list. The puréed cannellini beans add a thick, creamy texture to the sauce, as well as protein. Paired with lentil pasta, this dish will provide flavour and your kids’ daily portion of protein. Sweet fact Did you know that adding a little sweetener to tomato dishes brings out the natural flavour of tomatoes?

Sweet mango and zippy mint add an extra punch of flavour to this guacamole-inspired dip. Avocados, which are the backbone of guacamole, contain a good amount of healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which help boost metabolism and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Perfectly ripe When looking for a perfectly ripe avocado, choose one that has dark green or almost black skin. When squeezed, you should feel it yield to pressure. If you’re not planning to eat your avocado for a few days, try choosing one that is unripe (an unripe avocado will feel very firm) and leaving it at room temperature. Avocados are climacteric fruit, which means they will continue to ripen after harvesting. Avo-mazing fact A serving of half a medium avocado has more potassium than a medium banana.

Dried shiitake mushrooms are loaded with guanylate, which teams up with the glutamate in nutritional yeast and nori to produce an over-the-top umami seasoning that is ready to elevate popcorn for movie night at home, which we’re doing a lot more of these days. Once you taste it, you’re going to want to sprinkle (or perhaps pour) this magic mushroom powder on everything, including roasted or steamed vegetables, baked potato, grilled fish, soups, pasta, and avocado toast. Luckily, it keeps well. You can also make it with dried porcini mushrooms. Nutrition bonus Shiitake mushrooms deliver polysaccharide compounds that may have anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting powers. Nutritional yeast offers up a huge dose of essential B vitamins including thiamine and vitamin B12. To deepen the umami flavour of nori, you can toast the sheets first. To do so, heat heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium and dry toast nori sheets one at a time until darkened, about 2 minutes per side. Alternatively, place nori sheets on baking sheet in one layer. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway during baking time, until roasted and crispy. Let sheets cool down to room temperature before pulsing them into seasoning.

Now that kimchi has hit the mainstream, it’s time to work its umami-fiery crunch into more of your cooking repertoire, including this punchy salsa that adorns a plant-based tempeh filling that brings even more umami oomph to the table. Served in fresh-tasting lettuce leaves, the whole dish is a riot of appetizing colour. For taco night, you can also scoop everything into warmed corn tortillas. If eating only plants, be sure to choose a brand of kimchi that is not made with a fish product such as anchovies or fish sauce.

The spelling is different, but the pronunciation is easy: “zoog” sauce. Zhoug is a delightfully bright green fresh dipping sauce with plenty of heat. It’s easy to make and simply delicious drizzled over grilled meats and vegetables. It’s common in Middle Eastern dishes. We paired it up with mild paneer and fresh local bell peppers for a massive “wow” factor. Trouble finding paneer? It’s not always out there, as traditionalists often make it at home. Substitute with a very firm tofu or halloumi. Or thread cubed chicken onto skewers. Everything tastes delicious with Zhoug.

For as long as I can remember, cheesecake has been my most favorite dessert ever. So, when I decided to go vegan, one of the first things I wanted to experiment with was a dairy-free cheesecake. I’ve tried using tofu, plant-based cream cheese, and other interesting ingredients . . . but a cashew base is just perfectly rich and creamy. These squares are filled with delicious nostalgia and could definitely compete with your traditional cheesecake. Note: You’ll want to plan ahead for this recipe! The cashews need to soak overnight before you make the cheesecake, and then the cheesecake needs to be frozen for 6 hours to overnight. It will be worth it!

Though quinoa is highly nutritious, a lot of people are rather meh when it comes to its grassy flavour. But when disguised as a brownie-esque breakfast bowl with a caffeine-fuelled edge, quinoa becomes a truly crave-worthy stand-in for typical oatmeal. Toppings run the gamut of chopped nuts (try hazelnuts), raspberries, cherries, sliced banana, coconut chips, dollops of yogurt, sliced mint, and, of course, cacao nibs. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for three days. Reheat in the microwave or in a small saucepan with additional milk to add moisture back in. Sugar shock The rising tide of plant-based milks offers great alternatives to the moo variety, but they can contain surprisingly high amounts of added sugar. To keep your intake in check, look for cartons that state they’re “unsweetened.”