Who says you need to only have salads to eat healthy (and who wants to eat them when it’s cold outside?)? I keep seeing so many salads out there for healthy recipes for the new year. I love me a good salad… but I don’t exactly crave them in January. Warm, comforting dishes are much higher on my priority list. On my last post, I talked about how only 8 percent of people keep their new years resolutions- I think, partially because they often revolve around depriving oneself of delicious things. I think that if you make goals to eat more of what’s good for you, rather than less of what’s bad for you, it’s much easier.
My goal for 2015? Eat more plants. (ala Michael Pollan in his book, In Defense of Food. Which, by the way, if you’re looking to read more in 2015, you should definitely put on your list!) Why more plants, you ask? Isn’t that just being vegan? Well, yes. But I love meat. And I love cheese. And I do not intend to give them up. However, I also know how many nutrients are packed into plant-based meals, and that meat and cheese that’s organic and from happy animals is expensive and sometimes hard to come by. And what better way to eat more plants than to cook more vegan meals?
I consider myself a “conscientious omnivore.” It would be very hard for me to be completely vegan, or even vegetarian. In 2014, I ate meat about 2-3 times per week. That doesn’t mean when I went to the grocery store that my cart wasn’t filled with um like five blocks of cheese. In 2015, I would like to cut back on the other animal products by eating more vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. One step at a time. First step: this Moroccan Butternut Squash Stew.
I served this stew over white basmati rice, but it would be delicious over brown rice, couscous, quinoa, or cilantro lime brown rice. Or, for a grain free option, cauliflower rice or even just by itself. Sometimes when I make this, I whip up a cool cucumber yogurt sauce (not vegan, but also very healthy) to dollop on top, which pairs so, so well with the stew’s spicy flavors. (To make the yogurt sauce, just mix 1 cup of Greek yogurt with 1 cup of grated cucumber, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and salt and pepper. Easy!) Want more protein in this meatless dish? Try poaching or frying an egg and serving it on top. This recipe will take you 30 minutes max to make, and you can cook a large batch and freeze it for later. Like this recipe? Check out this Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Herbs.
Other easy chickpea recipes
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Spicy Crispy Roasted Chickpeas Classic Hummus Chickpea and Feta Salad Wrap Mediterranean Orzo and Chickpea Salad
And be sure to check out this Moroccan Roasted Butternut Squash for a delicious side dish. Here’s the printable recipe for Moroccan Butternut Squash, Chickpea, and Spinach Stew!
