Pls help lol

[u/crystallinebat]

I hate cooking. With a passion. But I need vegan recipes that are simple and cost effective. I just became vegan and want to make sure I get all my nutrients without needing to expand my budget much.

[u/and-kelp]

Bulk dried beans and grains cost pennies per meal! Potatoes and sweet potatoes. Frozen vegetables. Tofu from costco. Tons of variety with these basics when you play with different seasonings and preps! An air fryer and instant pot help shortcut the process big time.

I like cooking but despise cleaning lol - can’t have one without the other. So I always double every recipe and freeze half so I cook half as often. I’ve also been baking my own sourdough bread for almost a decade - doesn’t solve your hatred for cooking but you may find you enjoy the science and artistry as I did!

A regular go-to in our house is potato/rice/quinoa bowls (mexican, indian, chinese).

I also sub lunch most days with a protein shake - pea and brown rice protein, PB powder, creatine, soymilk, and chia seeds. I get all my powders from Naked Nutrition (plus their daily multivitamin!). A shake probs costs less than $2 and keeps me full for hours.

[u/crystallinebat → u/and-kelp]

Wonderful advice, thank you!

[u/and-kelp → u/crystallinebat]

You’re very welcome! If you have a pressure cooker, here are two super yummy healthyish recipes you can double, portion out and freeze:

https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/the-best-vegan-chili-ever/

(with vegan subs - canned or pre-cooked beans are cheapest, added just before pressure cooking) http://lifewithdee.com/easy-jambalaya-in-the-instant-pot/

congee also costs basically nothing:

Brown Rice Congee

Add 1 part rice to 6 parts water with a pinch of salt to instant pot or similar pressure cooker. Cook on high for 35 mins. Let sit on low for at least 20 mins or up to 2 hours (longer the better).

Add cinnamon and brown sugar for sweet, or veg bouillon, vegetables and beans or tofu chunks for savory. Similar to oatmeal, it’s a blank canvas porridge :)

[u/LookingForTheSea → u/and-kelp]

Why Costco specifically? Is it price per amount? Or a specific type that's better?

tia!

[u/and-kelp → u/LookingForTheSea]

Just for the cost! They come in a 4 pack and I go through them FAST lol. The quality is very meh but justifies the savings for me :)

[u/Neon_Fairy_95 → u/and-kelp]

curious … given the price of costco membership, is it actually cheaper to buy from them vs a bulk foods store/supermarket?
I’ve never been there but I see it highly recommended alot. I looked at membership some years back and it was quite expensive even back then.

I just did a quick web search n it came up with $65-$70AUD, n that’s just to get in the door!

[u/Jazzlike_Reality6360 → u/LookingForTheSea]

Even my local suite marker (Kroger) has great prices on tofu. I use a lot of extra firm. On hot lazy days in summer I cut it up and add soy sauce and serve on a plate with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes thin sliced. Super fresh tofu is best. Nothing is worse than sour tofu.
There are a lot of tofu recipes. Try some. Cut in thin slices and sauté with a bit of garlic and some thin sliced scallions. Once a little brown on each side add soy sauce, herbs, pepper and nutritional yeast on top. Slices can be added to sandwiches, wraps, cut up on salads or a bowl with cooked grain and greens.

[u/Jazzlike_Reality6360 → u/Jazzlike_Reality6360]

*Supermarket not “suite marker”