Lentils & Beans

Bowls of various legumes (chickpeas, green peas, red lentils, canadian lentils, indian lentils, black lentils, green lentils; yellow peas, green mung beans) on wooden background

Lentils and beans are an absolute must in plant based diets. It's time to drop any old story you may hold about legumes and accept that research has proven a daily intake of beans and lentils is directly associated with a longer lifespan across the board. So lets celebrate all they have to offer with these recipes.

red lentil bolognese

Red Lentil Bolognese

By Lauren | May 1, 2021

Adapted from Vegan Richa’s Lentil Bolognese Ingredients 1 package of gluten free spaghetti 1 cup of red lentils  Olive oil 2 pkgs or 1lb of mushrooms chopped  1 onion, peeled and finely  1-2 shallots or …

a warming vegan porridge

A Warming Spiced Chia Porridge

By Lauren | February 24, 2021

When last week, during the fierce winter storms in Texas,  all I wanted to do was to warm my children and give them comfort there was an ocean between us. And as often my go-to,…

Walnut lentil patties

Spiced Walnut Lentil Patties

By Lauren | February 17, 2021

These patties.  They are just the best. Plate them up with some roasted veg and a salad or pack them along as I did on your next hike.  Consider precooking the lentils and rice to…

Lemony White Bean Soup

Lemony White Bean Soup

By Lauren | January 20, 2021

Bringing together simple, good quality ingredients makes for kitchen magic. This delicious Lemony White Bean Soup is a stand-out example of that principle.  INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 large carrots, diced 1 bunch sturdy…

Lablabi Tunisian Chickpea Soup

Lablabi—Tunisian Chickpea Soup

By Lauren | January 15, 2021

I must admit I was equally skeptical and intrigued by this recipe and danced around it for several days before giving it a go. Worried it would taste like a bowl of warm hummus I…

Stuffed Tex-Mex Sweet Potatoes

By Lauren | June 8, 2020

Don’t waste any time waiting for a special occasion to make this yummy dish. It goes together in a snap as you prepare the filling and topping while the potatoes bake to a creamy and…

Haitian Mayi Moulen with Sos Pwa Nwa

By Lauren | May 31, 2020

When time permits, I love to use Saturday afternoons to play a bit with new recipes. This past weekend, I found myself exploring new territory as I experimented with this comforting Haitian meal. It was…

White Bean Patties

By Lauren | April 11, 2020

This isn’t exactly the kind of recipe that would normally catch my eye.  But as we sit, just like you, housebound during the spring of COVID-19, I’m doing a few things out of the ordinary.…

Loaded Lentil Stew

By Lauren | February 28, 2020

This is quite a hardy stew, perfect for a blustery March meal. It also pairs well with the seeded buckwheat bread I shared last month.  Ingredients 2 T extra light olive oil  1 medium organic onion,…

Meghla’s Palong Shak Dal

By Lauren | January 10, 2020

I used to think I could prepare a pretty good dal. That was until I watched my new Bangladeshi friends, Meghla and Aziza. These women embody the kitchen magician I long to be. The simple,…

Vegan Dal Makhani

By Lauren | October 24, 2019

Ingredients 1 cup dry whole urad dal (black lentils), debris removed and soaked in plenty of water overnight or for at least six hours 4 cups water 15 oz can kidney beans (1 1/2 cups),…

Best Ever Black Bean Soup

By Lauren | October 18, 2019

This week I am happy to share a recipe from an Austin friend and outstanding vegan chef, Anna Fry. Anna passed along this recipe ages ago when our then-preteens enjoyed this soup for lunch at…