Lissa’sProject Vegan
Home/Everyday food
40 pages in this chapter

Everyday food

Small suppers, useful lunches, and food worth making again.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden table
Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Tomato chickpeas, with bread for the sauce

A small pan, a tin of chickpeas, and something good to mop up the edges.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

White beans on thick toast

Keep some beans whole and mash the rest into a soft, lemony topping.

Illustrative image: Bowls of red lentil tomato soup with breadEveryday food

A red lentil soup that thickens in the bowl

Leave this soup a little looser in the pan than you want it at the table.

Illustrative image: Lemon pasta with peas and parsley in a ceramic bowlEveryday food

Lemon pasta without a heavy sauce

Starchy cooking water helps oil, lemon, and pasta come together.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Mushrooms deserve their own turn in the pan

Brown the mushrooms before adding the creamy part.

Illustrative image: Golden tofu cubes with rice and green vegetablesEveryday food

Tofu with crisp edges and a late sauce

Give the surface a chance to brown before bringing in the glaze.

Illustrative image: Lemon pasta with peas and parsley in a ceramic bowlEveryday food

Peanut noodles that stay loose

Thin the dressing more than you think before mixing it with noodles.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

A baked potato with more than one topping

Warm beans, a sharp dressing, and a little crunch make a potato feel complete.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Roasted carrots and lentils on one platter

The lentils catch the dressing; the carrots bring sweetness and browned edges.

Illustrative image: Lemon pasta with peas and parsley in a ceramic bowlEveryday food

Broccoli pasta with a rough green sauce

Save the small florets for texture and mash the softer pieces into the pasta.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Black bean quesadillas, held together by the filling

Mash the beans well enough to keep the fold from spilling.

Illustrative image: Lemon pasta with peas and parsley in a ceramic bowlEveryday food

The cabbage-and-noodle supper

Let some cabbage color while the rest softens into the noodles.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Butter beans in a tomato skillet

Large beans need gentle stirring, especially once the sauce thickens.

Illustrative image: Chickpea salad with cucumber, tomato and parsleyEveryday food

A cucumber chickpea lunch

Dress the beans first and add the cucumber close to eating.

Illustrative image: Bowls of tahini dressing, hummus and chopped herbsEveryday food

Sweet potato with tahini and a sharp finish

A little acidity keeps a soft, sweet meal from becoming heavy.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Tomato rice with peas

Use a lid that fits and the rice packet's liquid guidance as your starting point.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Lentils with mushrooms and mashed potato

Keep the lentil mixture spoonable so it settles into the mash.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Couscous with warm vegetables

Prepare the grain according to its packet, then bring in a generous dressing.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Green peas on toast, with mint

Crush the peas roughly so the topping still has texture.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

A warm white bean and rosemary bowl

Mash a few beans into the broth and leave the rest intact.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Roasted cauliflower wraps

Cut the florets small enough to fit inside a folded wrap.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Spinach beans in a creamy pan sauce

Choose unsweetened cooking cream and add the greens at the end.

Illustrative image: Bowls of red lentil tomato soup with breadEveryday food

A bowl of noodles in ginger broth

Build the broth before adding noodles so they do not overcook while you adjust it.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Carrot ribbons and chickpeas in a warm pan

Thin ribbons cook quickly, but keep them broad enough to retain a little bite.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

The useful bowl of savory oats

Treat oats as a grain base and season the toppings as well as the porridge.

Illustrative image: Bowls of red lentil tomato soup with breadEveryday food

Tomato soup with white beans blended in

Beans add body without a carton of cream.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Lentil taco filling with texture

Cooked lentils need a little moisture and some larger pieces left intact.

Illustrative image: Chickpea salad with cucumber, tomato and parsleyEveryday food

Potato and green bean salad, served warm

Dress the potatoes while they are still warm enough to absorb flavor.

Illustrative image: Golden tofu cubes with rice and green vegetablesEveryday food

A soft scramble made from tofu

A splash of liquid helps the curds stay tender.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Creamy polenta with tomato beans

Follow the polenta packet, then keep the topping ready before the base thickens.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

A rice bowl built from separate leftovers

Reheat the parts properly, then add fresh toppings at the table.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Peppers filled with couscous and beans

Soften the peppers first so the filling does not dry while they catch up.

Illustrative image: Lemon pasta with peas and parsley in a ceramic bowlEveryday food

A quick tomato sauce for gnocchi

Check the packet for eggs or dairy before building a vegan meal around it.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

An aubergine and tomato pan for patient evenings

Let the aubergine become properly tender before calling dinner ready.

Illustrative image: Chickpea salad with cucumber, tomato and parsleyEveryday food

A crunchy slaw wrap with hummus

Drain watery vegetables and resist the urge to overfill.

Illustrative image: Lemon pasta with peas and parsley in a ceramic bowlEveryday food

Pasta with peas and a spoonful of hummus

Loosen the hummus off the heat so the sauce stays smooth.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

A small tray of potatoes, peppers, and chickpeas

Give the potatoes a head start and add cooked chickpeas later.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

A bowl of smashed chickpeas for sandwiches

Leave enough texture to recognize the beans, but not so much that they roll away.

Illustrative image: A bowl of tomato chickpeas and spinach with bread on a wooden tableEveryday food

Roasted tomato and bean bowls

Let the tomatoes make their own dressing on the tray.

Illustrative image: Bowls of red lentil tomato soup with breadEveryday food

A dinner assembled from soup and toast

Give the toast its own topping so the meal offers more than one texture.