Here at Lazy Susan, a number of us are vegetarian or vegan, and we often share recipes around the office.
From vegan brownies and cupcakes to veggie-packed chillis, curries and stir-fries, we’re always on the lookout for new recipes that are vibrant, delicious and, most important of all, healthy to eat.
For us, the key to good vegetarian and vegan cooking is to get creative with your ingredients and avoid all the boring tropes.
Think about nutrition and how you can pack flavour into the meals you cook with protein-rich vegetables, grains, nuts, and fruits.
Use substitutes for dairy but avoid all the pre-packed meat substitutes and plant-based ready meals.
As a vegetarian, many of the recipes I cook tend to be vegan, or they would be if I could give up cheese (I’m trying I promise) but cooking with fresh ingredients is most definitely the key.
Even if you’re not ready to give up meat altogether, by trying to cut down the amount you eat, you’re helping both the environment and your own health.
However, making the shift to a more plant-based diet is best done when you barely notice the difference, and these recipes will hopefully help you to do just that.
From a delicious one-pot veggie lentil dhal to our fab breakfast pancakes, we’ve kept things simple and selected 7 different recipes that are proven winners with the team here at Lazy Susan HQ.
1. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan one-pot recipe
There are just so many great one-pot recipes, from spicy curries to hearty casseroles. And we love them. They’re easy to make and there’s less washing up to do.
This one probably caused the most debate here at Lazy Susan HQ as there’s just so much choice, however, the final vote went to BBC Good Foods Spinach, Sweet potato & Lentil Dhal.
It is super tasty and super filling. The Thai Basil is a real star of the show. This comforting supper dish also counts for 3 of your 5-a-day, so you can't go wrong with an iron-rich, low-fat, low-calorie comforting vegan one-pot recipe like this.
2. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan lunchtime snack recipe
This pick is all mine. I overruled the team…
When I think snack, I think of a quick bite to eat I can grab during the day at work. Make it the night before, heat it up in the staff kitchen, good to go, quick and super tasty.
The humble sandwich is often my go-to but it’s taken to the next level by Steve at Not Another Cooking show with his mind-blowing Greatest Vegetarian Sandwich Ever (below).
With crispy fried Milanese-style aubergine cutlets, burrata, arugula, roasted red peppers, and balsamic vinaigrette, this Italian fried eggplant sandwich is the perfect lunchtime treat.
However, if you want the greatest Vegan Sandwich Ever, then Sauce Stache has taken Steve’s Veggie version and tweaked it (below):
3. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan breakfast recipe
At Lazy Susan we’re on a mission to find the perfect breakfast pancake. We love them. It is probably the best example of how vegan food can be better than its dairy-based sibling.
These Vegan Vanilla Chai Pancakes from Megan at Short Girl Tall Order are incredible. Super fluffy, dairy-free, oil-free, and even refined sugar-free.
Megan’s homemade mix of chai spices and vanilla bean paste gives these healthier vegan pancakes the perfect spicy-sweet kick. They still taste naughty (in a good way) and make for the perfect lazy weekend breakfast.
4. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan dessert recipe
When it comes to vegan baking, Love & Lemons is often our first port of call. They have some fab recipes and I think we’ve made most (if not all) of the desserts in their 30 Best Vegan Desserts article.
However, we had to pick one, and the dessert we probably enjoyed the most (although it's an extremely tough call as they’re all delicious) is their Pumpkin Pie Parfait.
As they say:
This pumpkin pudding is my grown-up version of the pumpkin pie I adored as a kid. Back then, my favourite thing about Thanksgiving was hands down the pumpkin pie. Or, more accurately, the pumpkin pie filling. My sister and I (being the picky eaters that we were) would scoop out the creamy pumpkin middle and leave the shells of our crusts behind. The adults would shake their heads.
Trust us, it is divine, and not something we eat enough of in the UK!
5. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan cake recipe
One of the hardest things about being vegan is craving good chocolate. It is getting better but still not as nice as the real thing. One way to overcome that is with a bloomin’ good choccy cake!
The one that always goes down best in the Lazy Susan HQ is Jessica In The Kitchen’s Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe.
It is moist, decadent, fluffy and made with simple ingredients so that anyone can make it. We’ve made it a few times, it always gets rave reviews, and there's never a crumb left when it’s put out in the office.
6. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan pizza recipe
We have been experimenting a lot with pizza since the launch of our Cozze Pizza Oven last summer (pictured above).
Probably the recipe we’re enjoying the most at this moment in time is Minimalist Baker’s Simple Vegan Pizza.
This is easy to prep and cook in a minute or so, and you get all the 'pizza-ness' from the delicious homemade vegan parmesan.
With a garlic-herb crust, simple tomato sauce, and heaps of tasty sauteed veggies, this is a classic thin crust that the whole family will love!
Get the recipe or watch the video below:
7. Our favourite vegetarian and vegan burger recipe
Just like pizza, a good burger recipe is, in our opinion, essential if you’re going to make the switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet. BBQ season is just around the corner too, so you need one that works inside and out.
For the team at Lazy Susan, Jamie’s Best Vegan Burger is the winner in our book. These vegan corn burgers are packed with flavour, healthy and seriously satisfying to munch.
Alternatively, If you want a veggie option, then his roasted black bean burgers with cheese and zingy salsa are always a hit when cooked on the Lazy Susan BBQ grill (see above).
If you have any vegetarian and vegan recipes you’d like to share, we’d love to see them… Please drop them in the comments below or tag us in a post on Facebook or Instagram @lazysusanfurniture!