Vegetarian Pack for Lunch Recipes - Cookie and Kate https://cookieandkate.com/category/food-recipes/pack-for-lunch/ Whole Foods and Vegetarian Recipe Blog Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:26:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://cookieandkate.com/images/2024/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Vegetarian Pack for Lunch Recipes - Cookie and Kate https://cookieandkate.com/category/food-recipes/pack-for-lunch/ 32 32 Quinoa Tabbouleh https://cookieandkate.com/quinoa-tabbouleh/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/quinoa-tabbouleh/#respond Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:26:52 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=46669 Tabbouleh fans, have you tried making it with quinoa? This recipe is a fun variation on classic tabbouleh made with quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. It turns our favorite Lebanese salad into a gluten-free dish. The quinoa is fluffy and has a somewhat nutty taste, but overall, the flavor profile is quite similar. Since I…

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quinoa tabbouleh

Tabbouleh fans, have you tried making it with quinoa? This recipe is a fun variation on classic tabbouleh made with quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. It turns our favorite Lebanese salad into a gluten-free dish. The quinoa is fluffy and has a somewhat nutty taste, but overall, the flavor profile is quite similar.

Since I already changed one primary ingredient, I took the liberty of adding some chickpeas and feta cheese, more ingredients that you would not expect to find in tabbouleh. They’re entirely optional and absolutely delicious. They make the salad more hearty; if you use both, it could qualify as a light meal on its own.

This herbaceous salad is so refreshing on a warm day. It features fresh parsley and mint, tomato and cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and quinoa. The proportions remain true to the traditional recipe, so it contains more parsley than quinoa, and the lemon packs a punch. I think you’ll love it.

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Lentil Salad https://cookieandkate.com/lentil-salad/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/lentil-salad/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:10:04 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=45855 This classic lentil salad recipe features some of my favorite Mediterranean flavors, including cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, and plenty of fresh parsley in a zippy lemon dressing. The texture is an irresistible combination of tender, crisp and chewy. If you like lentils and tabbouleh salad, this recipe is for you. I love…

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classic lentil salad

This classic lentil salad recipe features some of my favorite Mediterranean flavors, including cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, and plenty of fresh parsley in a zippy lemon dressing. The texture is an irresistible combination of tender, crisp and chewy. If you like lentils and tabbouleh salad, this recipe is for you.

I love to keep this hearty lentil salad in the fridge for a light meal, healthy side dish, or ready-to-grab snack. Bring it to your get-togethers and picnics for all to enjoy—this recipe is dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, egg-free and nut-free! I bet your friends will ask for the recipe.

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Cauliflower Salad https://cookieandkate.com/cauliflower-salad/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/cauliflower-salad/#comments Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:21:37 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=45825 Craving a fresh salad with substance? This cauliflower salad recipe might be right up your alley. It’s crunchy, chewy, bold and unexpected. You’ll love this salad if you enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors and reach for raw cauliflower on veggie trays. Yes, this salad is made with raw cauliflower. The only cooking you’ll need to do…

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cauliflower salad recipe

Craving a fresh salad with substance? This cauliflower salad recipe might be right up your alley. It’s crunchy, chewy, bold and unexpected. You’ll love this salad if you enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors and reach for raw cauliflower on veggie trays.

Yes, this salad is made with raw cauliflower. The only cooking you’ll need to do for this recipe is toasting the almonds for a few minutes. The cauliflower soaks up the flavors in the vinaigrette during a 30-minute rest.

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Refried Black Beans https://cookieandkate.com/refried-black-beans-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/refried-black-beans-recipe/#comments Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:38:05 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44478 Refried black beans are one of my favorite plant-based recipe components. I’ve perfected my technique and flavorings over the years, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you today. Made with canned beans, these refried black beans are a quick and satisfying alternative to stovetop black beans, and a fun variation on classic refried…

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refried black beans

Refried black beans are one of my favorite plant-based recipe components. I’ve perfected my technique and flavorings over the years, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you today.

Made with canned beans, these refried black beans are a quick and satisfying alternative to stovetop black beans, and a fun variation on classic refried pinto beans. They taste far superior to plain canned black beans or store-bought refried beans. They’re the best!

These refried beans are flavored with sautéed onion, roasted or fresh red bell pepper, garlic, cumin, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Thanks to the red bell pepper and cumin, they have a subtle Cuban vibe that plays beautifully with the earthy flavor of the black beans.

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Chickpea Tomato Soup https://cookieandkate.com/chickpea-tomato-soup-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/chickpea-tomato-soup-recipe/#comments Mon, 30 Dec 2024 18:57:29 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44393 Craving a hearty, rich, yet redeeming soup? This creamy tomato soup laden with chickpeas is the answer. I cannot get enough of it! There’s nothing better than hot tomato soup on a chilly day, and this one is substantial enough to feel like a meal. If you’re a fan of my classic tomato soup, you’re…

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chickpea tomato soup recipe

Craving a hearty, rich, yet redeeming soup? This creamy tomato soup laden with chickpeas is the answer. I cannot get enough of it!

There’s nothing better than hot tomato soup on a chilly day, and this one is substantial enough to feel like a meal. If you’re a fan of my classic tomato soup, you’re going to love this chickpea variation.

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Sweet Potato Hash https://cookieandkate.com/sweet-potato-hash/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/sweet-potato-hash/#comments Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:17:15 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44352 Savory sweet potato fans, you’re going to love this hash! It features sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and onion, all roasted in the oven to tender, caramelized perfection. You’ll love this recipe if you’re a fan of roasted sweet potatoes or the sweet potato hash at True Food Kitchen. This recipe was inspired by an old favorite, my…

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sweet potato hash recipe

Savory sweet potato fans, you’re going to love this hash! It features sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and onion, all roasted in the oven to tender, caramelized perfection. You’ll love this recipe if you’re a fan of roasted sweet potatoes or the sweet potato hash at True Food Kitchen.

This recipe was inspired by an old favorite, my Roasted Breakfast Potatoes. I love this sweet potato hash in the morning with eggs, whether they’re scrambled or fried. It’s not just for breakfast, though—this hash makes a hearty side dish for simple fare from fall through winter. You’ll find more serving suggestions below!

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Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes https://cookieandkate.com/mashed-cauliflower-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/mashed-cauliflower-recipe/#comments Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:54:58 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44130 While I’m a forever fan of mashed potatoes, these cauliflower mashed potatoes are a surprisingly great alternative! Use this recipe to make mashed cauliflower or add a potato to the mix for cauliflower mashed potatoes. When you add a russet potato to the mix, the starch helps the mash become more creamy, smooth, and, as…

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mashed cauliflower recipe

While I’m a forever fan of mashed potatoes, these cauliflower mashed potatoes are a surprisingly great alternative! Use this recipe to make mashed cauliflower or add a potato to the mix for cauliflower mashed potatoes.

When you add a russet potato to the mix, the starch helps the mash become more creamy, smooth, and, as expected, more mashed potato-like. While optional, I prefer the results with the potato. Either way, it’s a simple and nutritious side dish.

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Quick Swiss Chard https://cookieandkate.com/swiss-chard-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/swiss-chard-recipe/#comments Thu, 07 Nov 2024 22:38:27 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=43976 Who knew Swiss chard could be this good?! The key is to slice the chard very thinly and cook it over medium-high heat until it caramelizes on the edges. These greens are not soggy or mushy, no way. This cooked chard is a little garlicky, a little lemony, and seriously irresistible. It’s the perfect quick…

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best swiss chard recipe

Who knew Swiss chard could be this good?! The key is to slice the chard very thinly and cook it over medium-high heat until it caramelizes on the edges. These greens are not soggy or mushy, no way.

This cooked chard is a little garlicky, a little lemony, and seriously irresistible. It’s the perfect quick and healthy side dish. The chard shrinks in volume while it cooks, so you’ll find yourself eating more greens than you realize—your body will thank you!

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Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins https://cookieandkate.com/gluten-free-pumpkin-muffins/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/gluten-free-pumpkin-muffins/#comments Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:35:33 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=43900 It’s not fall until you’ve made a batch of pumpkin muffins. Right? These muffins fill our kitchen with the wonderful fragrance of pumpkin and spice, which makes it feel like autumn, even when the weather outside is still unseasonably warm. These gluten-free, almond flour-based pumpkin muffins are tender, fluffy and delicious. My daughter and I…

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gluten-free pumpkin muffins

It’s not fall until you’ve made a batch of pumpkin muffins. Right? These muffins fill our kitchen with the wonderful fragrance of pumpkin and spice, which makes it feel like autumn, even when the weather outside is still unseasonably warm.

These gluten-free, almond flour-based pumpkin muffins are tender, fluffy and delicious. My daughter and I have been enjoying batch after batch.

I love these pumpkin muffins for several reasons—

  1. They’re easy enough to make with a three-year-old, which means they’re really easy.
  2. They’re wholesome but taste like a treat. I feel great about feeding these muffins to our daughter and her cousins.
  3. They freeze well for future snacks. Simply defrost one in the microwave until it’s warmed through, and your snack is ready in 20 seconds.

I’ve enjoyed baking with almond flour lately because it lets the other flavors shine, whereas regular flour can dull them. I’ve also been mindful of my blood sugar levels and appreciate that almond flour is lower in carbohydrates than grain-based flours, like all-purpose and whole wheat flour.

I’ll always be a huge fan of my Healthy Pumpkin Muffins, which are made with whole wheat flour and sweetened with maple syrup. This gluten-free recipe has much in common with that one.

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Seaweed Salad https://cookieandkate.com/seaweed-salad-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/seaweed-salad-recipe/#comments Thu, 15 Aug 2024 18:57:43 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=42817 This seaweed salad is colorful, delicious, and boldly flavored with sesame dressing. If you enjoy seaweed salads at Japanese restaurants, try this fun twist on the concept. Many prepared seaweed salads are colored with food dyes, but this one obtains its lively color from veggies. If you’re relatively new to seaweed, like I am, this…

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seaweed salad recipe

This seaweed salad is colorful, delicious, and boldly flavored with sesame dressing. If you enjoy seaweed salads at Japanese restaurants, try this fun twist on the concept. Many prepared seaweed salads are colored with food dyes, but this one obtains its lively color from veggies.

If you’re relatively new to seaweed, like I am, this salad offers a great introduction. It calls for arame, which has a more mild and sweet flavor compared to other seaweed varieties. The crisp textures of cabbage and bell pepper, combined with soy sauce and ginger, contrast beautifully with the seaweed.

seaweed salad ingredients

This salad is the perfect way to incorporate nutritious seaweed into your diet. Seaweed’s nutritional benefits vary depending on the specific variety, but they are often a good source of fiber, iodine, potassium and magnesium, among others. I try to consume a wide variety of whole foods, so seaweed is a welcome addition.

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