Looking for an easy Asian inspired option for dinner tonight? How about healthy Soba noodles (aka buckwheat noodles) with fresh veggies topped with a creamy peanut sauce ? (A quick easy recipe follows).
In a perfect world we would all have time to prepare a fresh healthy meal every night. But reality is…sometimes (even if you have the time) you just don’t feel like cooking. Luckily, it’s gotten a bit easier to find healthy options on- the- go lately, but they usually require going somewhere to pick up fresh, healthy take-out. (like my own personal go-to…the salad bar at Whole Foods)
But what if?…the healthy food came right to you? As in delivered to your own door-step ! (you don’t even need to be home) and all you had to do was heat it up? Hello? How easy is that!
I recently had the chance to try Veestro, a food delivery company who makes fresh vegetarian and vegan meals (using all-natural ingredients, no preservatives or animal products) and fresh freezes them so they can be delivered to your door step. (staying frozen with the help of dry ice). I was so impressed with the quality and freshness of the Veestro meals…I just had to share my experience with you.
I know what you might be thinking…frozen food? How does that work? (shipping, freshness, etc) I thought the same thing, until my Veestro box arrived ( I ordered the “starter pack”). I found 12 organic plant based meals (plus some bonus free gluten-free chocolate chip cookies (which I’m still craving) all packed in dry ice. The packages (all 100% compostable or recyclable) were perfectly frozen and I was able to pop some in the freezer and a few in the fridge ( Veestro meals can be kept for 2 weeks in the fridge or 8 weeks in the freezer) . I’m not normally one who gravitates to frozen foods. Mostly because they usually contain ingredients I can’t pronounce (i.e. preservatives or other things) or they scarcely resemble fresh food once cooked. I do know some good frozen options exist, but my point is they are few and far between. Especially if you are looking for vegetarian or vegan options. Veestro makes it so easy…
Check this out! This was my Veestro Risotto with Butternut Squash and Kale. Look at the ingredient list:
(Organic Arborio Rice, Organic Butternut Squash, Organic Shallots, White Wine, Organic Green Kale, Organic Green Peas, Vegetable Stock, Organic Olive Oil)
It’s real food! Real ingredients! No preservative…just good healthy organic items. That taste DELICIOUS!
This is what it looked like after cooking on the stove top per the package directions. (there are also microwave and oven options as well). Look at that fresh green kale and big chucks of butternut squash!
Here’s a few more pictures of my Veestro meals:
Savory Croquettes with Vegetable Hash ( I added the broccolini)
Red Curry with Tofu and Vegetables See what I mean! look how amazing this is! (and the curry sauce was out of this world good!)
Some of the other yummy things (not pictured) that arrived in my Veestro delivery were:
- Enchilada Casserole ( mmm…delicious Mexican inspired enchiladas)
- Veggie Empanadas (flakey empanadas stuffed with potatoes and veggies and a chimmichurri dipping sauce)
- Veggie Burger Patty (huge and delicious, no bun necessary! )
- Chickpea Stew with Veggies and Quinoa (this was my favorite!)
- Oatmeal Breakfast Pie (hello!)
- Three Layer Scramble (black beans, tofu and quinoa in a ranchero sauce)
- Tomato and Lentil Soup
- Eggplant Casserole ( like an Eggplant Lasagna…yum!)
If you’re interested in learning more about Veestro you can check out their website at www.Veestro.com . Not only do they have a la carte meals, they also have juices and meal packs for:
- Weight loss
- Gluten Free
- High Protein
- Travel (called Healthy Voyager) for when you want healthy food options when you travel.
- 21 Day Kickstarter ( 21 healthy meals)
Enter the discount code SIMPLEHEALTHY20 to get 20% off your Veestro order.
Feeling like some soba noodles with tofu, veggies and a spicy peanut sauce for dinner tonight? You can make some at home with the recipe below, or keep a stash of the Veestro version in your freezer for those times you just don’t feel like cooking.
- 1 package extra firm tofu (14 oz.) drained, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 large carrot
- ½ cup broccoli slaw (available in many grocery stores in the produce section where you would find bagged lettuce)
- ⅓ cups vegetable broth
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper(depending on taste)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 5 cups cooked soba (about 10 ounces uncooked buckwheat noodles, cooked according to package directions)
- sliced green onions (for garnish)
- dry-roasted peanuts, chopped (for topping)
- In a large non-stick pan, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Add cubed tofu and cook until all sides are golden brown. Remove tofu from pan and place on a paper towel, set aside.
- Using a vegetable peeler (or julienne peeler) shave carrot lengthwise into thin strips.
- In a small bowl, combine vegetable broth, peanut butter, ginger, soy sauce, honey, red pepper, and garlic; stir with a whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine carrots, broccoli slaw, tofu, peanut sauce, and noodles. Toss to coat thoroughly.
- Sprinkle with onions and peanuts.
Yum! This looks great and I think I could devour that peanut sauce by itself… it looks that delicious.