We all have days when we just can't deal with making anything complicated. Or weeks when we didn't do much shopping and hardly any pre-planning — it happens to everyone from time to time. There are days when it's all we can do to stop ourselves from reaching for the take-out drawer. There's nothing wrong with keeping a a meal really simple — even when not under duress. Here are five 5-ingredient recipes (salt, pepper, and water don't count) that will make those "too tired to cook" days a whole lot better.
Black Bean Nachos Grandes are not only a great appetizer or snack, but in a pinch, can serve as a centerpiece. This one calls for a big, colorful salad and some steamed broccoli or garlic-sautéed greens.
Vegan Chili-Cheese Grits are great for breakfast or brunch, but they can also be a change-of- pace dinner served with baked sweet potato and coleslaw.
Vegan Macaroni and Cheese is not only super-simple to make, it's also somehow emotionally comforting. So if you or someone in your family has had a tough day, this dish comes to the rescue using only five ingredients. This is great served with a carrot salad and green beans or broccoli.
Baked Risotto, a creamy-textured rice dish, takes a bit more than an hour start to finish, but making it takes very little hands-on time.
Traditional-Style Miso Soup might not fill you up on its own, but if you pick up some ready made vegetable sushi from the supermarket, some sliced ready-made baked tofu, and a steamed green vegetable, you've got an emergency meal that looks more like a feast.
edna says
I am eating better and trying more vegetarian dishes thank you
Cleópatra Paschoalatto says
Fantástico!!!
Pepita Jimenez-Jacobs says
Very good! And after a while you can prepare delicious meals with almost any combination of fruits, vegetables and herbs and spices in your fridge, freezer or kitchen shelves. or come spring, in your growing places outdoors!
Natalia says
Thank you for sharing this! I've been living vegan since New Year's Eve and find it really tough to prepare something nice to eat quickly, right after work. However, these dishes sound delicious and I will give them a try this week!
claudia howard says
I like your recipe ideas except none are diabetic friendly except the soup. I would like to see some fast vegan options without the intense amount of glucose raising starch.
Nava says
Good point, Claudia. I'll work on that!
oona cardozo says
These look great anxious to try them
Johnny says
Sorry but can you explain to me how any of these recipes are even healthy? I see a vegan label widely slapped on poor quality food choices that lack the kind of nutrition real whole foods can offer... Grits, white rice, white pasta, processed vegan cheese - the list goes on - how are any of these things healthy. Sorry but things like this upset me if someone is trying to promote healthy eating while promoting unhealthy foods.
Sharon says
Claudia you're so right, I struggle with that too, it would be great to have small meals that are easy for diabetics. I have that problem. I just came from reading this article: http://triggerbody.com/6-tips-to-control-snacking/