Enhanced Recipesculinary collection
Home
CoursesView CuisinesWhat Can I Make?My Kitchen

Cozy Soup, Salad, and Sandwich Meal Prep (plant-based + GF recipes)

Login to Save
1.6K views👍 162
Steamy Vegan
Steamy Vegan
44 recipes on Enhanced Recipes
Follow Steamy Vegan to prioritize their recipes in your meal plans, pantry matches, and suggestions

Recipes in this Video

5 recipes

Carrot and lentil soup is a comforting dish often found in American kitchens, celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and nourishing qualities. Traditionally, it brings together the earthiness of lentils with the sweetness of carrots, creating a balanced meal. This soup has gained popularity for its simplicity and adaptability, making it a staple in vegetarian and vegan diets.

Ingredients

  • carrots
  • potatoes
  • red lentils
  • onion
  • garlic
  • vegetable broth
  • olive oil
  • bay leaves
  • thyme
  • cumin
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • lemon juice
  • parsley

Instructions

  1. 1Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. 2Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. 3Stir in diced carrots and potatoes; cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. 4Add red lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaves, thyme, cumin, black pepper, and salt to the pot.
  5. 5Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.
  6. 6Remove bay leaves from the soup.
  7. 7Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or blend in batches in a regular blender.
  8. 8Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. 9Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

Ingredient Alternatives

red lentils

Healthier: green lentils

Cheaper: split peas

Split peas are often less expensive and provide a similar texture.

olive oil

Healthier: avocado oil

Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is a budget-friendly option for sautéing.

vegetable broth

Healthier: homemade vegetable broth

Cheaper: water with seasonings

Using water with seasonings is a cost-effective alternative.

bay leaves

Cheaper: dried thyme

Dried thyme can add flavor without the cost of bay leaves.

Techniques

sautéingblending

Equipment

large potimmersion blendercutting boardknife
🌶️🌶️🌶️Low

Also Known As

Lentil Carrot SoupVegetable Lentil Soup
vegetariangluten-free

Originating from the Liguria region of Italy, pesto is a vibrant sauce traditionally made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheese. It embodies the Italian philosophy of using simple, high-quality ingredients to create bold flavors. Today, pesto has gained global popularity, inspiring numerous variations that incorporate different herbs and nuts.

Ingredients

  • basil leaves
  • pine nuts
  • garlic
  • parmesan cheese
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • lemon juice

Instructions

  1. 1Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 3-5 minutes.
  2. 2Combine basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor.
  3. 3Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed.
  4. 4Add grated parmesan cheese and pulse to combine.
  5. 5With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture is smooth.
  6. 6Season with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
  7. 7Transfer pesto to a bowl and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. 8Use immediately or store in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top.
milknuts
vegetariangluten-freenut-free

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mixed root vegetables (carrots, beets, parsnips)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)
  • 2 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach)
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. 1Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. 2Peel and chop the root vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
  3. 3In a large bowl, toss the root vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme until evenly coated.
  4. 4Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  5. 5Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized, stirring halfway through.
  6. 6While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the salad base by placing mixed greens in a large serving bowl.
  7. 7Once the vegetables are done, let them cool slightly before adding them to the greens.
  8. 8Top the salad with feta cheese (if using) and chopped walnuts.
  9. 9Drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving.
  10. 10Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.

Equipment

baking sheetlarge bowlmixing spoon

The breakfast sandwich is a popular American morning meal, often enjoyed on the go. It combines staple breakfast ingredients like eggs and bacon, making it a hearty option for busy mornings. Variations exist across different regions, incorporating local flavors and ingredients.

Ingredients

  • bread
  • eggs
  • bacon
  • cheese
  • butter

Instructions

  1. 1Toast the bread until golden brown.
  2. 2Fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy.
  3. 3In the same skillet, crack the eggs and cook to your liking.
  4. 4Place cheese on top of the eggs to melt slightly.
  5. 5Assemble the sandwich by layering bacon, eggs, and cheese between the toasted bread.
  6. 6Serve warm.

Ingredient Alternatives

bacon

Healthier: turkey bacon

Cheaper: ham

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while ham is often less expensive.

cheese

Healthier: avocado

Cheaper: processed cheese

Avocado adds healthy fats, while processed cheese is budget-friendly.

Techniques

fryingtoasting

Equipment

skillettoasterspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowglutendairy

Also Known As

Bacon Egg SandwichEgg MuffinBreakfast Roll
veganplant-basednut-freesoy-free

Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce, but this version is adapted to be vegan-friendly by omitting cheese and using nutritional yeast instead.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. 1In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
  2. 2Add the nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse again until mixed well.
  3. 3With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. 4Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
  5. 5Add the lemon juice and pulse a few more times to incorporate.
  6. 6Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to your preference.
  7. 7Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Equipment

food processorjarspatula

Similar American Videos

(24 videos)

Similar Dishes From Other Cuisines

(23 videos)