5 Vegan One-Pot Meals: Easy, Delicious, and Plant-Based

 Eating a vegan and gluten-free diet doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. In fact, it opens up a world of vibrant, wholesome, and delicious possibilities. One-pot meals, in particular, offer a convenient and fuss-free way to enjoy nourishing plant-based dishes. In this collection of vegan one-pot meals, we've curated recipes that are not only free from common allergens but also bursting with flavor. Let's dive into these mouthwatering creations!

Mexican verde Rice Ingredients : 

1. Basmati Rice – 1 cup.

2. Spinach – 1 cup.

3. Cilantro – 1/2 cup

4. Garlic cloves – 3-4

5. Serrano pepper  – 1 

6. Corn kernels – 1/2 cup

7. Vegetable oil – 1 TBSP

8. Cumin powder – 1 Tsp

9. Water – 1 cup

10. Lemon juice  – 1 TBSP

11. Salt to taste

Method For Preparing Vegan Mexican Verde Rice – 

1. Take Basmati rice, wash it 2-3 times. Add water and soak for 15-20 minutes.

2. Verde Paste – Add spinach , cilantro, garlic, serrano pepper to a grinder jar. Grind into fine paste. Add 2 TBSP water if needed.

3. Heat a heavy bottom pot on medium heat. Once hot , add oil , soaked rice ( drain the excess water) and sauté for minute. 

4. Add grinded paste to rice and mix well. Add salt to taste, cumin powder, corn and mix well. Add water and give quick mix. Cover and cook on low flame for 8-10 minutes.

5. Once cooked , add lemon juice and fluff with a fork. Serve hot with a mix veggie of your choice.

Masala Khichadi – 

Ingredients 

1. Rice – 1 cup

2. Moong dal – ½ cup

3. Onion – finely chopped – 1

4. Carrots / Gajar – cut into small cubes – ½ cup

5. Green peas – ½ cup

6. Vegetable oil – 1 TBSP

7. Cinnamon stick – ½ inch -1

8. Bay leaf – 1

9. Cumin seeds / Jeera – 2 Tsp

10. Hing powder – ½ Tsp

11. Ginger – finely chopped – 1 inch

12. Curry leaves – 4-5

13. Garam Masala powder – 1 Tsp

14. Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp

15. Red chili powder – 1 Tsp

16. Salt to taste

17. Water – 3 cups

Method For Preparing Masala Khichadi

In a heavy-bottomed pot, add vegetable oil and heat it.

Once the oil is hot, add a cinnamon stick, bay leaf, cumin seeds, hing powder, finely chopped ginger, and curry leaves.

Saute the ingredients together.

Add onions and sauté until they turn translucent.

Add carrots and green peas. Saute well for a minute.

Add salt to taste and mix well.

Add rice and moong dal. Mix well.

Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala powder. Mix well.

Add water and bring it to a boil.

Cook for 3 whistles.

Serve hot with a choice of raita or pickle.

Millet Tondli Bhat – 

Ingredients  – 

1. Small millet like – Barnyard millet or fox tail millet – 1 cup

2. Tondli – cut into half  – 1 cup

3. Onion – 1 – finely chopped.

4. Tomato – finely chopped – 2

5. Ginger-garlic paste – 1 TBSP

6. Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp

7. Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp

8. Hing powder – 1/4 Tsp

9. Bay leaf – 2

10. Black cardamom – 1

11. Green chilies – slit in between – 2

12. Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp

13. Red chili powder – 1

14. Goda Masala – 2 Tsp

15. Jaggery – 1 Tsp

16. Vegetable oil – 1 TBSP

17. Water – 2 cups

18. Salt as needed

Method For Preparing Millet Tondli Bhat –

1. Heat a heavy bottom pan or kadai over medium heat. Once hot , add oil. Add mustard seeds , cumin seeds , hing powder. Let the seeds crackle. Add bay leaf , black cardamom , green chilies and onion. Saute till the onions turn translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for another minute.

2. I am using frozen tondli , but fresh would taste good too. Add tondli and saute them for a minute or 2. Add tomatoes and dry masala’s – turmeric powder , red chili powder , goda masala and salt to taste. Saute till tomatoes turn mushy. If you do not have goda masala , you can use any mix masala like garam masala.

3. Add washed and drained millets. Here I am using Barnyard millet , but you can use any small millets like fox tail millet , little millet. Mix well.

4. Add water , jaggery and mix well. Cover and cook on medium flam for 5-7 minutes or till all the water is absorbed and the millets cooked. Cover and simmer on low heat for another 5 -7 minutes. Add freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot with your choice or koshimbir , raita or papad.

Sambar Sadam – 

Ingredients

1. Rice – 1/2 cup

2. Toor dal – 1/3 cup

3. Shallots – cut in half – 8-10

4. Carrots – Diced – 1/4 cup

5. Green beans – cut – 1/4 cup

6. Drumstick – cut – 3-4 pieces

7. Tomato – slit – 2

8. Turmeric powder – 1/2  + 1 Tsp

9. Red chili powder – 1 Tsp

10. Sambar Masala – 2 sp

11. Hing Powder – 1/4 + 1/4  Tsp

12. Water – 4 cups

13. Vegetable oil – 1 TBSP

14. Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp

15. Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp

16. Fenugreek seeds / Methi dana – 1 Tsp

17. Whole chilies – 4-5

18. Curry leaves – 10-12

19. Tamarind concentrate – 1 TBSP

20. salt to taste 

Method For Preparing Sambar Sadam –

1. Take the dal and rice in a bowl and wash them thoroughly 3-4 times. Add the washed dal-rice to a pressure cooker.  Add 1/2 Tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 Tsp hing powder, 2 cups water, few drops of vegetable oil  and pressure cook on low to medium flame for 3-4 whistles.  Perfectly cooked dal rice!!!

2. Heat a heavy bottom pan on medium heat. Once hot , add vegetable oil. Add mustard seeds, let them crackle , add cumin seeds , methi dana , red chilies , curry leaves and shallots. Saute for 2-3 minutes or till the shallots start turning translucent.

3. Add vegetables of your choice – I am adding carrots , green beans , drumsticks . Add tomatoes and again saute for 2-3 minutes.

4. Add the masalas – Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp , red chili powder , sambar masala , salt to taste , tamarind concentrate and mix well. Add 1 cup water and cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or till the vegetables are cooked.

5. Add cooked dal rice and mix well. Adjust salt and water to get perfect consistency. Cover and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes till all the flavors are absorbed in rice. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro. Serve hot with your choice of papad and pickle. Makes a perfect option for lunch box as well.

Vangi Bhat – 

Ingredients For Masala-

1. Chana dal – 2 TBSP

2. Urad Dal – 1 TBSP

3. Coriander seeds – 2 TBSP

4. Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp

5. Black pepper cons -1 Tsp

6. Cinnamon stick – ½ inch

7. Green Cardamom – 2-3

8. Coconut powder – 2 TBSP

9. Dried red chilies – 4-5

For Vangi Bhat –

1. Vegetable oil – 1 TBSP

2. Chana dal – 2 Tsp

3. Urad dal -1 Tsp

4. Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp

5. Hing powder – ¼ Tsp

6. Red chillies – whole – 3-4

7. Curry leaves – 3-4

8. Vangi / eggplants – cut into cubes – 5-8 small or 1 big

9. Turmeric powder – 1 Tsp

10. Vangi Bhat masala – 2 TBSP

11. Salt to taste

12. Tamarind concentrate – 1 Tsp

13. Jaggery – ½ Tsp

14. Water – ½ cup

15. Cooked rice – 2 cup

16. Cilantro for garnishing.

Method –

For Masala –

1. Heat a pan on medium heat. Add chana dal and urad dal. Dry roast for 2-3 minutes.

2. Add coriander seeds , cumin seeds , black pepper cons , cinnamon stick , coconut powder and dried red chilies . Dry roast for 3-4 minutes or till the spices start to leave aroma

3. Cool down and grind into a fine powder.

For Vangi bhat –

1. Heat a heavy bottom pan on medium heat.

2. Add oil and let it heat up.

3. Add chana dal and urad dal and roast till they start changing the color.

4. Add mustard seeds, hing powder, curry leaves, and whole red chilies.

5. Add the cut vangi or eggplants and sauté for a minute.

6. Add turmeric powder, vangi bhat masala, and salt to taste. Mix well.

7. Add tamarind concentrate, jaggery, and water. Mix well.

8. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or till the eggplants are ¾ done.

9. Add cooked rice and mix well.

10. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes.

11. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro.

12. Serve hot with a side of vegan raita

Conclusion: A Flavorful Journey Through Vegan One-Pot Meals

These vegan one-pot meals are not only easy to prepare but also rich in flavors, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or lazy weekend lunches. They are proof that a vegan and gluten-free diet can be incredibly satisfying and delicious. Whether you're new to plant-based eating or a seasoned vegan, these recipes offer a delightful journey through the world of vegan cuisine. So, gather your ingredients, pick your favorite, and save this recipe. To learn daily thali ideas like vegan moong birde, aloo capsicum, and jowar roti click on the link. Happy cooking!