Simple and Delicious Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners - Chef Cynthia Louise
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Your Kickstart on Plant-based Lifestyle

Switching to a plant-based lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard; it can be tasty and simple. We’ll explore the world of plant-based goodness, featuring three tasty recipes perfect for those new to this style of cooking. Imagine a creamy Dairy-free Asparagus Pasta, where the rich flavors of asparagus blend with a luscious, dairy-free sauce. Next, we’ll dive into gluten-free delights with Crispy Pakoras, showcasing the diversity and indulgence of plant-based eating. Finally, we’ll enjoy the simplicity of a Quinoa and Chickpea Salad, demonstrating how wholesome ingredients effortlessly come together for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Get ready to enhance your plant-based cooking skills with these delicious and beginner-friendly creations!

Dairy-free Asparagus Pasta

I have put together this recipe with the holidays in mind. This is also one of my go-to recipes when I am just too tired to cook and I feel like having a lush, rich, and creamy lemon sauce without the guilt. The creamy but dairy-free pasta recipe is for you and your family to enjoy!

This Dairy-free Asparagus Pasta is a perfect introduction to plant-based cooking for beginners. This simple yet flavorful dish reimagines a classic pasta recipe by replacing dairy with a creamy, plant-powered alternative. With the freshness of asparagus complementing the rich texture, it’s a delightful and accessible choice for those taking their first steps into the world of plant-based cuisine.

The Preserved Lemons are a key ingredient in this dish and are available in my free Plant-Based Love Stories Cook Book. Click here to know more about my cookbook. 

Click here for the full recipe.

Gluten-Free Pakoras

My gosh Indian food. Yum! When I am in Singapore, this deep-fried tasty little situation is rocking my food mind world. A couple of key ingredients are spices. Really worth investing in them as they carry through to most Indian recipes. In my Whole Foods Love Cooking Class, I have recipes like Butter “not” chicken. Dahl and India hash browns all require these spices so they won’t go to waste.

My story of Pakoras goes way back to my very first cafe in Whole Foods Vegan in 2010. I had them on the menu. Bestsellers every month they were. I remember serving them with a big salad with the Pakoras piled on top. The smells coming out of the kitchen at that time were like authentic Indian restaurants. I love food memories, they bring so much light to my growth as an EATER. Even if they are deep-fried… LOL. There is really something to say about deep frying. I don’t do it often, tho when I do I DO IT WELL. 

Click here for the full recipe.

Quinoa And Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas are also known as gram, Bengal gram, garbanzo, garbanzo bean, and Egyptian pea. There is no middle ground; you either love it or despise it. When prepared properly, it may be magnificent. When cooked incorrectly, it can cause flatulence, bloating, and stomach pain.

Quinoa and Chickpea Salad is a perfect introduction to plant-based eating for beginners. Packed with protein and fiber, this easy-to-make salad offers a refreshing and nutritious option. Its vibrant mix of flavors and textures showcases that plant-based meals can be both satisfying and delicious, encouraging a seamless transition to a more plant-centric lifestyle.

Tips for cooking great chickpeas:

  1. Soak em in water: 1 cup chickpeas to 1.5 L of water with 1 tsp of bicarb soda soaking up to 18 + hours changing the water at least twice
  2. After soaking, thoroughly rinse.
  3. Add 1 crushed garlic clove, a little pepper, and a bay leaf to a pot with 3-4 L of water.
  4. Cook for at least 2-3 hours over high heat with the lid half on.
  5. After cooking time, remove from heat, season with salt, and leave to cool fully in the cooking water.
  6. When completely cooled store it in the fridge in that same cooking water.
  7. When ready to use drain it and make it into my salad

Click here for the full recipe.

My Thoughts

Trying out plant-based cooking for beginners is easy and delicious with these three tempting recipes. The Dairy-free Asparagus Pasta turns a classic dish into a creamy, plant-based treat effortlessly. The Gluten-Free Pakoras redefine comfort food, providing a crispy and flavorful experience that is both indulgent and wholesome. Lastly, the Easy Quinoa and Chickpea Salad offer a quick and nutritious option. These recipes not only accommodate various dietary preferences but also show that adopting a plant-based lifestyle can be both straightforward and incredibly tasty for those starting their journey. So, enjoy the simplicity and richness of these plant-based delights, making the shift to a more compassionate and healthier way of eating a delightful and satisfying experience for your taste buds.

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With love from my kitchen to yours,

Chef Cynthia Louise xx


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About the Author

Chef Cynthia Louise is an Internationally acclaimed MasterChef, speaker, author, restaurant consultant, teacher and television presenter in wholefood, dairy-free cooking. She also has the worlds first online cooking classes focused on dairy-free plant-based whole foods with recipes that people are raving about and changing people's health, one delicious bite at a time. Chef Cynthia loves nothing more than educating people about the simplicity and vitality of a plant-based, whole foods lifestyle. Each dish is like art on a plate and her flavour combinations nourish the soul and get everyone talking.