1. Make flax egg by combining flax seed and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir together.
2. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens.
3. In a food processor, combine lentils, breadcrumbs, onions, parsley, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, allspice, nutmeg and black pepper
4. Pulse until properly combined.
5. With a small cookie scoop, roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs. (This is guesstimated to make anywhere from 12-15.)
6. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet on medium heat.
7. Add the rolled vegan meatballs.
8. Let meatballs cook for 5-8 minutes, rolling as needed until they’re brown all around.
9. Remove to a plate to cool.
10. In the “meatball” skillet, add 3 tablespoons of butter to melt.
11. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of flour, then whisk until well combined.
12. Slowly whisk in stock, coconut cream, vegan Worcestershire sauce and 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
13. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
14. Return meatballs into the sauce, and cook until heated for approximately 2-3 minutes.
15. Serve with pasta, rice or vegetables.

Why this is a good recipe in the new year: Even if you’re not trying to go vegan but want to test out Meatless Mondays, this is a recipe that proves it’s possible to enjoy pasta without the meat.

Banana Dessert Recipe

Whether you want to snack on a banana on its own or make it a recipe, this vitamin-rich (potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C) recipe is good either way as one of these three featured recipes.

Ingredients 

• 2 cups of unsweetened plant-based milk
• 16 ounces of silken tofu
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 large ripe banana
• 1/4 cup of chia seeds
• 2 dates

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together.
2. Put in a jar or fridge-safe container.
3. Store in a fridge for at least 8 hours.
4. Serve with optional toppings: granola, nondairy whipped cream, banana slices

Why this is a good recipe in the new year: If you’re lactose intolerant but really miss eating ice cream, this is an easy dessert to make without all the added fat and sugar.

Vegan Crab Cakes Recipe

While seafood has many healthy benefits already, adding oyster mushrooms into the mix can make them even better. Although they may be overlooked in the produce department, these ginormous mushrooms make incredible vegan fried “chicken” and vegan seafood.

Ingredients for Vegan Crab Cakes

• 4-1/2 cups of oyster mushrooms (clip stems off)
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup of vegan mayo
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon of vegan Worcestershire sauce (or low-sodium tamari or soy sauce)
• 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup of white onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning
• 1 teaspoon of parsley
• 1 teaspoon of lite salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons of warm water

Ingredients for Vegan Crab Cake Sauce

• 1/2 cup of vegan mayo
• 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• (optional) 2 tablespoons of capers

Directions

1. In a food processor (or blender), chop oyster mushrooms for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Pour chopped mushrooms into a large bowl.
3. Mix flaxseed and water to create a flax egg.
4. Saute garlic and onion on medium heat in a skillet until browned (approximately 5 minutes).
5. Combine dry ingredients (breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Old Bay, parsley, salt, pepper).
6. Pour dry ingredients into the bowl with chopped mushrooms.
7. Add sauteed garlic and onion, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and vegan mayo into the mushroom bowl.
8. Mix all ingredients until firm enough to create patties.
9. Fry the patties on medium heat in a large skillet with oil.
10. (Optional) Coat with additional breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture.
11. Drain on a rack or paper towel.
12. Mix all ingredients to create a vegan crab cake sauce.

Why this is a good recipe in the new year: Although there are prepared and frozen versions of vegan seafood in stores, as well as traditional seafood, people with seafood allergies or who are trying to eat plant-based meals are missing out. This is a happy medium that also introduces you to the magic of oyster mushrooms. Pretty much anything you can make with meat, you can make with a mushroom.

Broccoli and Cheese Recipe

Vegetables can absolutely be both filling and delicious with the right ingredients. This recipe is very simple to make in less than 20 minutes, and it will keep you feeling full longer than a loaded baked potato.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of broccoli
• 1/4 cup of vegan shredded cheese
• 1 tablespoon of margarine (or vegan butter)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Red pepper (to taste)
• Imitation bacon bits

Directions

1. Boil broccoli for 10-15 minutes until it is soft enough to split with a fork while firm enough to keep its original form.
2. Drain water.
3. Place broccoli onto a plate or large bowl.
4. Sprinkle margarine and shredded cheese on top.
5. Mix the toppings until they are melted onto already-hot broccoli.
6. Sprinkle with both peppers, and imitation bacon bits.

Why this is a good recipe in the new year: Far too often, frozen vegetable recipes are loaded with multisyllabic ingredients that barely anyone has ever heard of nor do they know why they’re in the bag. Getting back to the basics of the natural vitamins (broccoli has 220% of Vitamin C) from most produce in a grocery store, that section of the store can be delicious if given the chance to show off its natural deliciousness.

Keeping the New Year’s Clean-Eating Recipes Going

While cookbooks and cooking videos are loaded with clean-eating suggestions, for newbies who aren’t quite sure what to cook, finding a meal that inspires even more options can make the journey easier. And if you eat them long enough, even if they weren’t initially the kind of dishes you were used to, you may find yourself craving them later.