What’s your ultimate feel good food? Meat-free Mood Meals.

Food is such an important part of our life. We celebrate with good food, show our love by cooking food and attach precious memories to unforgettable meals. It is such a vital, emotive and fulfilling part of our life.

As a family, we are eating more and more meat-free meals and love nutritious, filling and satisfying dishes. Whether you love a veggie lasagne or opt for sweet treat, here are some fabulous recipes from bloggers sharing their ultimate feel good food experiences and recipes, which just happen to be vegetarian or vegan!

Afternoon tea:

Whether it’s a time to celebrate, to catch up with a good friend, to calm down in times of stress or just for a peaceful five minute break there’s nothing better than a good cup of tea and an afternoon tea.

Tea is traditionally brewed from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant which produces the black and green tea we enjoy regularly, but there are also lots of different fruit, flower and herbal tisanes to enjoy as well, and I love taking full advantage of their nurturing and healing properties.

There is a tea for every occasion – I always start the day with an everyday English Breakfast black tea with a little oat milk added – a great way to kick start the senses with an added anti-oxidant boost! Mid-morning usually calls for a refreshing mint or lemon green tea to refresh and revive, and in the evening I love enjoying a sleepy herbal blend of lavender, passionflower, roses, chamomile or lemon balm.

For a celebration or get together with friends there is nothing more lovely than a luxurious afternoon tea party. Delicate cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes, decadent Oolong rose tea and good company – what could be more enjoyable? These three ingredient vegan scones are perfect for the occasion too! 

Chosen by Bryony from The Vegan Possum

Vegan teriyaki chickpeas bowl:

This Vegan teriyaki chickpeas bowl is a meal that no only is delicious, but healthy and guilt-free too. It can be made in 30 minutes and is a great kid-friendly alternative to Chinese takeout. Another bonus of this is you can enjoy the same great flavors without meat. Whether you are avoiding meat for meatless Mondays or are eating plant-based, this meal is one you’ll want to try and add to the rotation! Using pantry-friendly ingredients, you won’t need to run to the grocery store for all those weird ingredients, making this a hit for busy families.

Chosen by Cassie at Cass Clay Cooking

Idli, Sambar and Dosa

My love for food can be seen from my blog’s title itself ie. “The Wandering Vegetable“. I love food, the eating part of it basically, though I enjoy the making part of it. There are a few particular foods that I turn to when I’m craving a feeling of comfort, familiarity, and home and those foods are part of a typical South Indian breakfast- I’m talking about Idli, Sambar and Dosa.

During my childhood, I always looked forward to the weekend when my mother would cook steamed idlis with piping hot sambar and crisp dosas. And now as an adult, the love for a lovely South Indian breakfast still remains. It sets the tone for my day and has me in a positive frame of mind.

What particularly attracts me towards these foods is the fact that they are so nutritious. They are healthy, light, packed with flavours, have a lovely aroma, and complement each other really well. This food has made my happy, celebratory days even more joyful and my bad days a little more pleasant. So if you ever come to India, then I highly recommend you taste a plate of steamed idlis, sambar, and a lip-smacking dosa.

Chosen by Vaibhav from The Wandering Vegetable

Veggie Lasagna:

When I think of feel good food, the first thing that comes to mind is lasagna! This easy veggie lasagna is so hearty and delicious, and packed with veggies. It’s a warm, filling comfort food that the whole family will love!

Chosen by Suchot from The Curious Frugal

Syrnychki:

My favorite feel-good food is a Ukrainian dish called ‘syrnychki’ (plural). They can be used as a main course or as a dessert, and are very popular in my country. They are also known to foreigners as cottage cheese pancakes.My grandmother used to make amazing cottage cheese pancakes every so often and I continue to love them ever since.

You will find them in almost every local restaurant that serves Ukrainian food. In most cases, I order syrnychki when I go out, but sometimes I make them myself. The simplest recipe only includes cottage cheese, an egg, some sugar and flour. You mix all of it together, form small pancakes, fry, and eat quickly while there is still some left!

The thing is, syrnychki are very rare to find in non-Slavic countries (I was extremely happy when I found them that one time in Lithuania!) that’s why it’s usually the first thing I order when I come back from traveling. They kinda make me feel at home right away as I eat familiar food from my childhood.

Chosen by Juliet from Live Your Dream TODAY

Corn Chowder:

This vegan Instant Pot Corn Chowder is simple, healthy, and utterly divine comfort food. Make from frozen or fresh corn, this delicious, hearty meal is great for meal prep and makes for an easy, nourishing meal. This can easily be made stove-top too. There is something so therapeutic in that stirring experience.

Chosen by Liz at Zardy Plants

Mac and cheese:

This baked Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food! It is vegan, nut and gluten free too so everyone can enjoy. This recipe is quick too so great for those in a rush or looking for a tasty and kid-friendly dinner. You can make delicious vegan mac and cheese in under 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfectly warm and comforting.

Chosen by Victoria at Wow! Its Veggie

Tacos:

I love these chipotle corn salsa, fresh and zesty tomato Pico de Gallo, crunchy tacos complete with mouth-watering tempeh taco meat come together and create the BEST vegan tempeh tacos you’ll ever have. These tacos boom with the smoky flavor of chipotle peppers, sweet roasted corn, tangy tomato salsa and savoury vegan taco meat that will leave you craving more!

Chosen by Elena at Happy Kitchen

Dosa:

Ever since I was introduced to Dosa, whilst on my honeymoon in Sri Lanka, it has become my ultimate favourite dining out cuisine. Originated and famous on the streets of South India, a dosa can only be described as a large thin crispy savoury crepe. The best thing about dosa, is that is vegan and almost always gluten free. This means eating out with any set of friends poses no issues with dietary requirements.

Dosa is very affordable and I think there has only been one occassion where I have to pay more than $10 for one. Every dosa is served with an array of smaller bowls which includes three chutneys, a sambhar curry and a hot dry potato dish. Sambhar curry is mildly spicy made from lentils and vegetables and the potato dish is called masala. Masala dosa will be available on every menu where you find dosa, and this just means the potato will be placed inside the dosa itself. Restaurants happily offer extra sambhar and masala, usually free of charge, which means you will leave feeling very full.
Eating out at a dosa restaurant, is a delicious and affordable night out which everyone enjoys, making it an easy choice for celebrations and for me, takes me back to my honeymoon (where I was eating 4 every morning). Happy Eating!

Chosen by Manpreet, YourVeganAdventure.com

Pulao:

Pulao (or pilaf) is always a comfort meal paired with a light curry or yogurt raita. It is not only easy to make but there are so many variations you can make. Be it a festive or a special occasion or even for everyday meals, a vegetable pulao fits in perfectly.  

This one-pot dish made with rice and vegetables has added spices and herbs, giving it a mild aromatic flavour. What I like about making veg pulao is that it comes together quickly. It is great on its own or paired with raita (an Indian yogurt dish), pickle and roasted papad (a crisp thin Indian snack).

Chosen by Dassana at Dassana’s Veg Recipes

Risotto:

And for me? I love so many different types of food for many different reasons and becuase I am greedy! If I had to choose, I think that a warm, satisfying bowl of goodness in the shape of a risotto may win. Filling, tasty but packed full of goodness too so it really is an ultimate feel good food for me. It is also a comforting dish to make for visitors if you are wanting to spread the love. I’m a huge squash fan, so a butternut squash risotto with plenty of pepper would be my top choice.

Chosen by Melanie at Twoplusdogs

Spanish Tapas:

I love Spanish tapas and the sharing element of eating the dishes. The rich flavours and vibrant colours transport you to sunny holidays and relaxation. You may not be able to travel to Spain to eat this delicious food as much as you’d like to, so how about making your own? Get started with this brilliant patatas bravas recipe and other Spanish tapas recipes here.

What is your ultimate feel good food?

Thank you for all of the bloggers who took part in this collaboration. There are so many delicious recipes here, I am going to be busy for a long time trying them all! Please let us know what feel good food you reach for in the comments below.