These dishes are the ultimate comfort when your heart needs a little lift!
Remember when being vegetarian meant surviving on bland salads? Well, those days are over! With everyone getting into the benefits of plant-based eating, for both health and the planet, veggie food is way more exciting now. Today, let’s dig into some comforting, feel-good vegetarian dishes that’ll leave you satisfied and happy!
In Egypt, koshary (also spelled koshari or kushari) is the national dish, and it’s completely vegetarian. It’s a hearty mix of rice, macaroni, and lentils, topped with chickpeas, crispy fried onions, a spicy tomato sauce, and a splash of garlic vinegar. This comforting meal is a staple across Egypt, found everywhere from street stalls to restaurants. It’s both filling and affordable, making it a popular choice for many.
Ratatouille is a classic French dish from Nice. It’s made with aubergine, zucchini, capsicum, yellow squash, and garlic. Instead of cooking all the veggies together, each one is cooked separately to keep its texture. Then they’re simmered in tomato sauce for up to 6 hours, letting all the flavours meld. You can serve ratatouille with rice, potatoes, pasta, or some fresh bread.
This Catalan favourite is more than just tomato on bread! Pan con tomate is a popular choice in Barcelona and perfect for any meal. Many people in Catalonia use tomatoes and garlic on bread instead of butter. With crispy toasted bread (often coca bread, similar to a flat baguette), garlic, fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and sea salt, it’s easy to make and always bursting with flavour.
Portuguese cuisine might not always cater to vegetarians, but Caldo Verde is a fantastic choice for those chilly nights when you want something hearty without much hassle. This soup, which means ‘green broth,’ is made with shredded cabbage, potatoes, kale, onions, and olive oil. It was traditionally cooked over an open fire in a metal pot, but these days the recipe varies by region. Usually served with fresh bread, it’s satisfying and will keep you full for a long time.
Käsespätzle is Austria’s and Germany’s take on macaroni and cheese—ideal for a cosy, vegetarian meal! Spätzle are small, chewy noodles that are incredibly satisfying. Sharp cheeses like cheddar, emmentaler, and granular cheese are grated and layered over the spätzle, then topped with crispy fried onions. Just like mac ‘n’ cheese, it’s baked until it's warm, gooey, and cheesy. If mac ‘n’ cheese is your comfort food of choice, Käsespätzle is definitely going to become your new favourite!
Black beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine, showing up often as a side dish or a filling for tacos and burritos. But one of the best ways to enjoy them is in a spicy stew, topped with thin slices of avocado and fresh cilantro. It’s really a delicious and comforting way to savour black beans!
Misir Wot is a flavourful Ethiopian red lentil stew that’s simple to make and packed with spice. Made with split red lentils, onion, garlic, and key ingredients like berbere spice mix and niter kibbeh, it’s both healthy and delicious. Typically served with injera, it also pairs wonderfully with other flatbreads or steamed rice.
With so many delicious options to choose from, give these dishes a try whenever you’re craving some comfort and soul-soothing goodness!
