If you’re someone who likes to follow new and exciting food trends, you’ve probably heard lots of talk about plant-based recipes. Taking inspiration from vegan and vegetarian cuisine, plant-based cooking is a great way to up your veggie intake. Sure, meat and fish bring loads of flavour to the table, but the good news is there is now a wide range of delicious veggie-forward recipes that are just as satisfying when you use rice as the base. Available in a host of varieties, rice provides the perfect platform to experiment with plant-based recipes. So, join Minute Rice® as we explore a host of veggie-packed rice recipes to help get you started.
Scintillating 16-Minute Salad
To kick things off, we’ve got a delightfully simple recipe you can rustle up in a flash. Our 16 Minute Spring Rice Salad with Herbed Buttermilk Dressing is a rich and flavourful meal packed with nutritious veggies. Featuring cucumber, baby spinach, chives, and peas, this salad is served on a delicious base of fluffy White Rice.
Chef’s Tip: For a savoury and refreshing finish, add some crumbled feta cheese to the mix and taste the difference.
Plant-based Variation of a Comfort Food Classic
One of the myths about plant-based cooking is that you have to completely reinvent the way you approach meal prep. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, many of your favourite meals can be adapted easily. Take this Meatless Taco Rice Skillet as a prime example. Packed with all the traditional flavours of a traditional taco rice meal, this recipe simply ups the veggie components of the dish, substituting ground beef with a meatless, plant-based variety. The result? A veggie-forward alternative to a Mexican comfort food classic.
Energy-Boosting Rice Bowl
Rice bowls are another terrific way to incorporate veggies into your meals, and this Buddha Bowl with Spicy Peanut Sauce packs a nutritious punch. Packed with delicious broccoli florets and chunky tofu, this recipe also features a dazzling homemade spicy peanut sauce recipe to amp up the flavour. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s the kind of dish you’ll be looking forward to all day.
Vegetarian Sushi Recipe
Rice is an ingredient that opens up a whole world of possibilities when it comes time to cook. Tasty and versatile, rice is a staple ingredient in a diverse range of international cuisines. If you’re a fan of sushi, this Kimchi Vegetable Sushi is the perfect way to enjoy the traditional flavour and texture of sushi in a veggie-forward recipe. Made with fragrant Minute Rice® Jasmine Cups, avocado, carrot, and cucumber, this nori-style sushi dish is guaranteed to satisfy.
Quick and Easy Curry with a Tropical Twist
Let’s face it, if you lead a busy life then sometimes it can be hard to find the time to cook the meals you crave. That’s why it’s vital to have a range of quick and easy rice recipes in your repertoire. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity to rustle up a dish that’s as simple as it is delicious. This 15 Minute Spiced Curry Coconut Rice makes for a quick and easy lunch or dinner meal without skimping on flavour.
Protein Sources for Plant-Based Cooking
Including a portion of protein in your plant-based meals is important for maintaining a balanced diet. Here are some of the best plant-based protein sources that can be easily included in meals:
- Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are rich in protein and fibre.
- Tofu and Tempeh: Made from soybeans, both are excellent protein options.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds are great for adding protein and healthy fats.
- Vegetable Proteins: Certain vegetables such as spinach and broccoli also contribute protein to meals.
Environmental Impact of Plant-Based Eating
Incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet plays an important role in environmental sustainability. There is mounting evidence to suggest that diets rich in plant foods have a smaller carbon footprint compared to those high in animal products. Here’s why:
- Plant-based foods generally require fewer resources, including water and land, promoting more efficient food production.
- Consuming plant-based meals on a regular basis reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which is crucial in combating climate change.
- Shifting towards more plant-centric meals can lead to improved biodiversity by preserving ecosystems.
Now that you’re armed with a host of delicious plant-based recipes, it’s time to get cooking. And remember, be sure to check out our blog for more meal inspiration and expert cooking tips.