Since last March many of us, myself included, began working, living, learning, and everything in between, all from home. Personally, this past year has been stressful and full of (mostly unwelcome) surprises. I have found that focusing on things I can control during this hectic time is incredibly therapeutic. And for me, that is cooking healthy plant-based meals. Here are some of my favorite vegan meals to make during my typical work-from-home day.

Breakfast: Avocado Toast

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Ingredients

• Sliced bread
• Avocado
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Toast bread as desired.
2. Mash avocado, salt, and pepper in a bowl and spoon onto bread. (Option: thinly slice the avocado, place slices on bread, and sprinkle salt and pepper over avocado slices.)
3. Enjoy!

Lunch: Hearty Salad with Roasted Chickpeas, Quinoa, and Asparagus

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Ingredients

• Spinach
• Chickpeas, 1-15 oz. can
• Asparagus, 1 bundle
• Quinoa, 1 cup
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven warms, rinse chickpeas. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper (option: add additional spices, such as chili powder and smoked paprika, for extra flavor).
2. Cut off ends of asparagus and rinse. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chickpeas and asparagus on separate baking sheets and cook for ten minutes at a time until achieved desired crispiness. Typical cook time is 20 minutes. 
4. After placing chickpeas and asparagus in the oven, rinse one cup of quinoa and either cook based on the stovetop or pressure cooker. Follow provided instructions for chosen method.
5. Scoop quinoa, chickpeas, and asparagus over a bed of spinach in a bowl.
6. Top with desired salad dressing and enjoy!

Dinner: Spaghetti with Meatless Meatballs

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Ingredients

• Spaghetti, 1 package
• Marinara sauce, 15 ounces
• Meatless Meatballs of your choosing (option: Lightlife Plant-based Meatballs)
• Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Boil water. Sprinkle salt into boiling water and add spaghetti. Cook al-dente.
2. Cook meatless meatballs based on package instructions. (Option: sprinkle red chili flakes over meatballs for extra spice.)
3. Add marinara sauce over meatballs. (Option: stir two tablespoons of nutritional yeast and a sprinkle of dried oregano.)
4. Once pasta is ready, drain water. Pour olive oil over pasta to prevent sticking.
5. Twirl spaghetti into a pasta nest on a plate. Spoon meatless meatballs over the pasta nests.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Until next time,

Leah Pinkus