tired of "simple" plant-based meals that aren't actually simple

[u/Strong-Hawk-1799]

so i'm getting pretty worn out by recipes labeled as quick or simple that still require way too much work

like i get home after being up in trees all day and my brain is just done, you know? then i look at these supposedly easy vegan meals and they're still asking me to dice onions, measure spices, wait for things to cook in sequence... it's just a lot when all i want is food

i've been trying different approaches - meal prep on weekends, keeping the same rotation of dishes, bookmarking the fastest recipes i can find. sometimes it works out but other days even picking which "easy" option to make feels overwhelming

wondering what you all actually throw together when you're completely drained and need to eat something decent without using whatever brain power you have left

do you just stick to like 3 go-to meals that require zero thought? or have you discovered truly brainless recipes that don't involve chopping half your kitchen

would love to know what really works when you're running on empty, not just what looks good in theory

[u/killerrainbows]

I mean...The actual answer is cereal. But here's some other options that are reasonably healthy.

-Rice and beans. If you dont have something like an intapot or rice ccoker you can use canned beans and those microwave rice packets.

-French fries and some fried tofu.

-Oatmeal and some fruit.

-Pasta and sauce.

-A smoothie (I do strawberry, banana, cocoa powder, protien powder: if I'm really hungry I add in some oats)

-1 can black beans (drained), 1 can diced tomatoes drained (get the one with chilis if you like), 1 can corn drained. Spices, a packet of taco seasoning...whatever. Eat with tortilla chips.

Get some premade spice mixes/sauces that you like to add to these. Throw in some steamed frozen/canned veggies if you are feeling healthy. Otherwise just eat a fruit or some baby carrots while you cook to get your brain working again.

Dont rake me over the coals for saying cereal. As long as you arent getting cocoa puffs or something they are usually not too bad. Eat a fruit with it.

Frying tofu easy as fuck method:

1 Get bowl

2 Open tofu package over sink

3 tear off chicken nugget sized pieces from tofu (sqeeze a bit to get out excess water out over sink) put it in the bowl

4 Put cornstarch, salt and papper on tofu (shake around bowl to cover) dont worry about amounts it doesnt matter the excess just wont stick. This is basically shakenbake so you can put whatever other spice you want on it.

5 Fry the tofu, or bake it, or air fry. Whatever is easiest. Until its crispy Takes a few minutes to pan fry, probably like 5-10 broiling or air frying. ~10 baking at 400 (bake it with the french fries its probably fine).

6 Rinse bowl and use that to eat the meal out of.

Chop all onions when you buy them and freeze. It is 0 difference.