It’s been three months of quarantine and we’ve cooked almost every meal at home. We even avoided takeout most of the time — except for one moment of weakness when my husband picked up four pints of Salt & Straw ice cream and we enjoyed every spoonful.
If you’re preparing more meals at home and need inspiration for healthy, tasty recipes, today’s post is for you. If you follow my daughter Kylee on Instagram, you may have seen her stories showcasing the delicious food she prepares. She’s vegan and has developed a knack for creating satisfying, colorful meals that I’m always excited to try.
I asked Kylee to share a few of her go-to recipes here, and she kindly agreed. Read on for simple, fresh ideas you can make at home.
I asked Kylee to share a few of her go-to recipes with us on the blog today.
Enjoy (and if you’d like to see more recipe ideas like these, let me know!).
Hi everyone! Kylee here. Below are three healthy recipes I make often — easy to prepare, flavorful, and great for everyday meals or snacks.
Things on Toast: 4 Ways
When you can’t decide which toast to have for lunch, make them all. Bread is a terrific base for bright flavors and textures. I usually use sourdough, but any bread you enjoy works fine. If you need gluten-free options, choose your favorite gluten-free loaf. These combinations are simple, easy to assemble, and great any time of day.
Here are four favorite toast toppings I rotate through:
- Avocado toast: Smash ripe avocado, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, squeeze a bit of fresh lemon, sprinkle chili flakes and sea salt.
- Chive cream cheese, thinly sliced radish, fresh parsley, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Plain cream cheese with fermented kraut and hemp seeds — a nice contrast of creamy and tangy.
- Chive cream cheese topped with heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and cracked black pepper.
Toast is endlessly adaptable, and these toppings are easy to tweak with what you have on hand. Consider making this a regular series — the ideas are limitless!
Stuffed Dates
Stuffed dates are an easy, nutritious snack you can prepare ahead and store in the fridge for quick bites. Dates are naturally sweet and form a convenient pocket once you remove the pit. This version pairs nut butter with crunchy and tart toppings for balance.
Ingredients:
- Dried dates, pitted
- Peanut or almond butter
- Cacao nibs
- Freeze-dried raspberries, crushed
- Flaky Maldon salt (optional)
To assemble: split each date lengthwise and open it to form a little pocket. Spoon in your preferred nut butter, then sprinkle cacao nibs and crushed freeze-dried raspberries on top. Finish with a light pinch of flaky salt if desired. Store in the refrigerator and grab them as a quick snack or a small dessert.
These are great for meal prep, travel, or packing in a lunch for a sweet, nutrient-dense pick-me-up.
Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie
This smoothie tastes like a dessert but is packed with wholesome ingredients. Maca adds energy and nutrients, while cacao brings rich, chocolatey antioxidants. It makes a satisfying breakfast or post-workout treat.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 3 frozen bananas
- 1 tablespoon maca powder
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 2 pitted dates
- About 2 cups nondairy milk, adjust for desired consistency
- Pinch of sea salt
Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If you’d like, top each serving with extra cacao nibs and shredded coconut. This makes a rich, satisfying smoothie that feels indulgent while still being nutritious.
Thanks for sharing these recipes, Kylee!
Follow Kylee on Instagram and watch her stories for more healthy recipe ideas and meal inspiration.