When it comes to New Year’s food resolutions, it almost feels as if we are set up to struggle — especially since we start the year in the middle of a cold season when salads really don’t cut it and we connect comfort food to all things meaty, creamy and cheesy. But take heart, friends. Taking a cue from the Meatless Monday movement, which advocates cutting meat from your diet one day a week, and going one step further, we’ve got a few recipes to help rewire your cravings and change the way you think of meatless, dairy-free meals.
Vegan Quinoa Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash
The key to any stuffed dish is variety, and this stuffed squash recipe has that in spades. Enjoy layers of fluffy, crunchy and chewy textures — from a stuffing of quinoa, pistachios and dried cranberries — and rich flavor, from a mix of warming spices and a sweet maple syrup glaze.
Grilled Shiitake and Tofu Banh Mi
Tofu is usually one of the first foods to spring to mind when it comes to meat-free eating. Though there’s nothing wrong with using tofu in a tried-and-true stir-fry, it’s worth dressing it up in a banh mi. Extra-firm tofu stands up well to a good grilling and transforms under a sweet and garlicky marinade.
There’s nothing to be missed with these hearty tamales on your plate. Butternut squash gives the masa dough a dose of earthy sweetness while the filling features chipotle chiles, Spanish olives with pimentos, golden raisins and capers.
Take the the classic vegetarian-friendly portobello burger to the next level by roasting the mushrooms in a pulled-pork-style marinade.
If you’re feeling fancy, try making this saffron risotto. The dish stays dairy-free thanks to nutritional yeast, which gives it a cheesy bite.
These meat-free meatballs are veritable flavor bombs, boosted by umami staples like soy sauce, tomato paste and nutritional yeast.
Chickpea Soup with Spiced Pita Chips
Take note from Food Network Kitchen’s culinary predictions for 2017 and make the humble chickpea your new pantry staple. When the cold weather leaves you hankering for soup, make this hot and sour treat to satisfy your cravings.
