As you stand in your kitchen, contemplating dinner with a slightly furrowed brow, imagine a symphony of flavors waiting to dance across your tongue. Low carb and vegetarian might sound like a culinary paradox, but oh, the surprises that await! From the earthy aroma of roasted vegetables to the creamy delight of a well-spiced curry, these recipes are like a warm hug on a chilly evening. Who knew that a plate could hold so much joy?
Steps
- Set up your slow cooker and prepare the ingredients for a comforting aubergine and chickpea stew. Let it cook until the aubergines are tender, then finish by adding toasted pine nuts for a crunchy topping. Serve with flatbreads for a complete meal.
- Prepare a roasted aubergine and tomato curry by combining the vegetables with coconut milk for added richness. Allow the mixture to simmer until the flavors meld together, producing a slightly sweet and creamy curry. This dish can also be frozen for future meals.
- Use an air fryer to prepare boiled eggs by adjusting the cooking time for your preferred yolk texture. For soft-boiled eggs, reduce the time, and for hard-boiled eggs, extend it. Enjoy perfectly cooked eggs without using the stove.
- For a quick bean and halloumi stew, sauté mixed beans in a tomato-based sauce and add pieces of halloumi. Cook for about 25 minutes until the stew thickens and the cheese is golden. This easy dish is perfect for a speedy midweek meal.
- Transform traditional ratatouille into a baked version by layering it with a cheesy sauce. Bake until the top is golden and bubbly, making it a delightful late summer dish. This recipe helps you achieve three of your daily vegetable servings.
- Make a coconut and squash dhansak by simmering butternut squash, lentils, and spinach in coconut milk. The curry is quick to prepare and makes a nutritious weeknight dinner. Adjust the seasoning to your taste before serving.
- Cook a batch of spiced lentil and butternut squash soup by simmering the ingredients together with your favorite spices. Once thick and fragrant, serve it hot, or freeze portions for later use. This low-fat soup is both filling and healthy.
- Prepare a sweet potato and peanut curry by cooking sweet potatoes and spinach in a flavorful sauce. This vegan recipe is budget-friendly and provides two of your five-a-day vegetable servings. It’s a nutritious option under 400 calories.
- Whip up a herb omelette with fried tomatoes for a protein-rich brunch. Cook the omelette in a pan, then accompany it with juicy, pan-fried tomatoes. This dish can be ready in just 10 minutes.
- Create a West Indian spiced aubergine curry by simmering aubergines with spices until tender. Serve this flavorful, low-fat dish with rice or roti. It’s a delicious way to enjoy aubergines.
- Make an omelette roll-up by cooking one egg into a thin omelette. Spread salsa on top and roll it up for a quick vegetarian snack. This low-carb option is an alternative to traditional wraps.
- Craft a vegetarian Thai green curry by combining vegetables with a green curry paste and coconut milk. Allow it to cook until the vegetables are tender, and serve with your choice of accompaniments. This dish offers three of your five-a-day servings.
- Prepare a spiced carrot and lentil soup by blending cooked carrots and lentils with spices. This low-fat, iron-rich soup is ready in under 30 minutes or can be made in a slow cooker. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
- Assemble an epic summer salad with a variety of fresh ingredients for a no-cook feast. Pair it with lamb kebabs for a stunning summer BBQ or buffet. This vibrant salad adds a refreshing touch to your meal.
- Prepare a griddled vegetable and feta tart using crispy filo pastry as the base. Fill it with a mix of Mediterranean vegetables and feta cheese. Bake until the pastry is golden and crisp.
- Impress with a cavolo nero, mushroom, potato, and fontina strudel wrapped in filo pastry. If fontina is unavailable, substitute it with comté or gruyère. Bake until the pastry is golden for a delightful dish.
- Warm up with a comforting bowl of butternut squash soup by simmering squash with a hint of chili for spice. Add crème fraîche for creaminess before serving. This soup is perfect for chilly days.
- Create a cinnamon and apricot trail mix by combining nuts, seeds, and dried apricots with a hint of cinnamon. Store in an airtight container for a convenient keto snack on the go.
- Make a courgette, potato, and cheddar soup by cooking and blending the vegetables until smooth. This low-calorie soup is perfect for using up seasonal courgettes. It can also be frozen for later enjoyment.
- Cook a mushroom and potato curry by simmering the vegetables with spices for a quick meal. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this vegetarian dish is perfect for a flavorful dinner.
- Prepare an asparagus and new potato frittata by cooking these seasonal ingredients in a pan. This simple spring dish is low-calorie and ready in just 20 minutes. Enjoy it as a light main course.
Ingredients
- Aubergines
- Canned chickpeas
- Vegetable stock
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Canned tomatoes
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Pine nuts (toasted)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Flatbreads (for serving)
FAQ
- Can I freeze the Roasted Aubergine & Tomato Curry for later use?
- Yes, this simple vegan curry is freezable, making it a convenient option for a quick midweek meal.
- How can I achieve different textures with the Air-fryer Boiled Eggs?
- To get soft-boiled eggs, reduce the cooking time, and for hard-boiled eggs, extend the cooking duration in the air fryer.
- What makes the Sweet Potato & Peanut Curry a healthy choice?
- This vegan curry is not only budget-friendly but also provides two of your five-a-day servings and contains less than 400 calories.
- Is the Spiced Lentil & Butternut Squash Soup suitable for meal prep?
- Absolutely, you can cook a large batch of this filling soup and freeze the leftovers for a quick and healthy supper on another day.
- What alternatives can I use for fontina cheese in the Cavolo Nero, Mushroom, Potato & Fontina Strudel?
- If you don’t have fontina, you can substitute with comté or gruyère cheese for a similar flavor.
Tips
- When preparing the aubergine and chickpea stew, use a slow cooker for a convenient, hands-off cooking method. Toast some pine nuts for a crunchy topping and pair the dish with flatbreads for a wholesome meal.
- For the roasted aubergine and tomato curry, consider making extra and freezing portions for quick and easy midweek meals. The coconut milk adds a rich, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste.
- If you’re using an air fryer to make boiled eggs, adjust the cooking time based on your preference for soft or hard-boiled eggs. This method can save time and energy compared to traditional boiling.
- For the herb omelette with fried tomatoes, ensure the omelette is cooked on a medium heat for even cooking and to prevent over-browning. Serve it with juicy fried tomatoes for a simple yet satisfying breakfast or brunch option.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker – Needed for recipes like the aubergine & chickpea stew and spiced carrot & lentil soup.
- Air Fryer – Used for making air-fryer boiled eggs.
- Griddle Pan – Useful for making griddled vegetable & feta tart.
- Filo Pastry Sheets – Used for recipes like the cavolo nero, mushroom, potato & fontina strudel, which may require specific handling tools if purchased in bulk or frozen.
- Immersion Blender or Blender – Required for soups like spiced lentil & butternut squash soup and courgette, potato & cheddar soup.
- Pastry Brush – Handy for working with filo pastry and other similar recipes.
