There's no better time to step out of your comfort zone in the food world and try something outside of your norm. This isn't to say your entire diet needs an upgrade, but it's easy to fall into a cooking rut when you're used to meal-prepping your way through the week. When you're in this particular time of need, shift your perspective and adopt a different way of thinking—a vegan one.
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You can enjoy countless vegan meals without even feeling like you're sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. It is 2017, after all, and innovation in all aspects of the food world is so in right now.
1. Black Bean Enchiladas
This recipe is one that will have you questioning why you haven't dabbled with vegan food before. The trick is making this outlandishly cheesy with the use of vegan cheese. Yep, that's a thing; a thing that should always be utilized.
Get the recipe here.
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Shatter all the nay-sayers with this chocolate-y treat. Because you're using dark chocolate to coat the peanut butter with, you're avoiding the use of dairy products, thus are creating easy decadent dollops.
Get the recipe here.
3. Vegan Gumbo
Just because you're trying out the whole vegan thing doesn't mean you can't enjoy traditional staples of the creole way such as gumbo.
Simply sub out the meat for veggies like mushrooms and okra, add some beans for protein and don't forget the rice!
Get the recipe here.
4. General Tso's Cauliflower
You'll hardly even notice the meat is missing from this dish. Cauliflower is an extremely versatile vegetable and easily takes on the flavor of whatever you may be cooking it with.
In this case, this dish is likely to take over your use of chicken any day of the week. Get the recipe here.
5. Grilled Zucchini Hummus Wrap
If you've never tried grilled zucchini, here's your shot. The inclusion of hummus in this recipe will have you questioning why you ever doused things in ranch and not this creamy chickpea goodness.
Get the recipe here.
6. Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
Burgers are still a part of the vegan way, it just takes a little substituting here and there.
Add some guacamole to top off this crafty creation for even more of a flavor mashup. Get the recipe here.
7. Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
You probably haven't considered the fact that there are generally eggs in the process of making pancakes or waffles, but not with these bad boys.
Enjoy the egg-free lifestyle with these fluffy pancakes, brought to you by spelt flour and non-dairy milk. Get the recipe here.
8. Roasted Cauliflower Soup
This soup doesn't lack creaminess or a variety of flavor, making it your new go-to for a Sunday night soup swap.
Get the recipe here.
9. Vegan Zucchini Meatballs
We know what you're thinking; how can you possibly have a meatball if you're vegan? Thanks to a little something called chickpeas, the world of meatless meatballs seems a whole lot less scary.
Get the recipe here.
10. Cheesy Cauliflower Potato Soup
Vegan cheese comes to the rescue yet again with this luscious and filling take on classic potato soup.
Add in cauliflower and other veggies of your liking to spruce it up even more! Get the recipe here.
11. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Hummus Pasta
The creaminess of this pasta comes from the chickpeas in the hummus and makes it a filling, nutritious meal that completely blows expectations of vegan food out of the water.
Find the recipe here.
12. The Vegan Buddha Bowl
Buddha bowls are a popular option for those looking for their second or third foray into vegan living.
They're as filling as a burrito bowl from Chipotle, and healthier for you. Find the recipe here.
13. Easy Vegan Samosa Pie
Anything dusted with curry powder and coriander is a win all around. This samosa pie takes everything you love about classic chicken pot pies and combines it with powerful Indian flavors.
Find the recipe here.
14. Very Vegan Jalapeño Pesto Sandwich
This sandwich is filling enough for dinner and will satisfy anyone who douses their dishes in hot sauce regardless.
Find the recipe here.
