Main Course

Rice & Corn Fusilli Pasta with Broccoli Lemon Cream

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Broccoli is a rich source of several important nutrients, including fibre, vitamins (A, C, and K), minerals (calcium, potassium, and iron), and antioxidants. The florets and stems are filled with nutrients that help keep your heart and bones healthy. A delicious way to enjoy this nutrient-dense green.

Kale Miso Noodles with Tofu & Sticky Mushrooms

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A comforting noodle bowl with miso broth, tofu, kale, shiitake mushrooms, skinny soba somen noodles, and sticky sesame mushrooms. Savoury, warming, and full of umami, it is finished with spring onions and fresh coriander.

Mushroom Balls in Tomato and Basil Marinara Sauce

Preparation Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 80 minutes

Yield: 6

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Tender baked mushroom balls made with portobello mushrooms, oats, walnuts, flaxseed, nutritional yeast, umami ginger paste, parsley, and Italian herbs. Served in a rich tomato and basil marinara sauce over pasta, this is hearty vegan comfort food.

Sweet & Sour Adzuki Beans

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 70 minutes

Total Time: 85 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A simple sweet and sour adzuki bean dish baked with tamari, ume plum seasoning or brown rice vinegar, rice syrup, and onions. Serve with short-grain brown rice, sweet potato skewers, and steamed greens for a wholesome plant-based meal.

Herbed Lentil Balls with Garlic Cashew Cream

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 90 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Baked herbed lentil balls made with brown lentils, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, ground almonds, nutritional yeast, sesame seeds, shelled hemp, ume paste, and fresh coriander. Served with a bright roasted garlic cashew cream, they are hearty and flavourful.

Millet Sesame-Crusted Tempeh Veggie Bowl with Sweet Peanut Sauce

Preparation Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 70 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A nourishing millet veggie bowl topped with sesame-crusted tempeh and a creamy sweet peanut sauce. The tempeh is marinated with tamari, garlic, ginger, lemon, and rice syrup, then baked until crisp and golden.

Red Lentil Coconut Curry

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A warming South Indian-inspired red lentil curry flavoured with fresh ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric, mild curry powder, coconut milk, courgettes, tamari, coriander, and lime. Creamy, protein-rich, and comforting, it pairs well with basmati rice.

Tricolour Quinoa and Vegetable Stir-Fry with Teriyaki Sauce

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A colourful quinoa and vegetable stir-fry with red onion, spring onions, carrot, mushrooms, yellow pepper, courgette, broccoli, and a bright teriyaki sauce made with tamari, mirin, date syrup, lime, garlic, and ginger. Finished with chives and toasted flaked almonds.

Mushroom Ragu over Fusilli

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Yield: 6

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A hearty vegan mushroom ragu made with shallots, garlic, button or chestnut mushrooms, shiitake, portobello, umami stock, red pesto, mirin, balsamic vinegar, tamari, herbs, nutritional yeast, and parsley. Serve over fusilli, fettuccine, polenta, mashed potatoes, or with crusty sourdough bread.

Nori Maki Rolls with Miso Soup & Skinny Soba Somen Noodles

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Simple plant-based nori maki rolls filled with short-grain brown rice, furikaki, crisp vegetables, avocado, and pickled ginger. Rolled tightly in nori and sliced into bite-sized pieces, they make a fresh Japanese-inspired meal served with miso soup and skinny soba somen noodles.

Caramelised Baked Sweet Potato with Mushrooms & Classic Hummus

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 80 minutes

Yield: 2

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Caramelised baked sweet potatoes filled with fluffy quinoa, sautéed mushrooms, onions, herbs, and creamy classic hummus. Finished with toasted flaked almonds and spring onions, this nutrient-dense meal is filling, sweet, savoury, and satisfying.

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A rich, creamy vegan mushroom stroganoff made with tender portobello mushrooms, umami stock, and a silky cashew-tahini sauce. Finished with fresh parsley, lemon zest, sesame seeds, and coriander, it is deeply savoury, comforting, and delicious served over fluffy basmati rice.

Tuscan Lentil Curry with Sundried Tomatoes

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 65 minutes

Yield: 6

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A hearty lentil curry inspired by Tuscan flavours, with sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, courgettes, fresh herbs, greens, and coconut cream. Green or brown lentils bring satisfying plant-based protein while the spices, tomato pesto, and umami stock create a rich, savoury depth.

Ginger Umami Quinoa & Sweet Potato Falafel with Italian Vinaigrette

Preparation Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 65 minutes

Yield: 6

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Crisp-on-the-outside, succulent-on-the-inside falafel made with quinoa, chickpeas, sweet potato, warming spices, seaweed nori flakes, and ginger umami paste. Served with a creamy Italian-style vinaigrette, these patties are hearty, flavourful, and perfect with fresh or steamed greens.

Marlene’s Italian Vinaigrette

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A thick, creamy Italian-style dressing or dip made with nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, tahini, umeboshi plum vinegar, brown rice syrup, lemon juice, and tamari. It clings beautifully to salad greens and also works as a dip for falafel or vegetables.

Roasted Red Pepper and Chickpea Korma

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A mellow, fragrant chickpea korma with roasted red pepper, coconut cream, warming spices, umeboshi paste, and fresh greens. Vibrant, creamy, and family-friendly, it pairs beautifully with saffron-scented rice or another favourite grain.

Thai Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Chickpea Coconut Curry

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 6

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A comforting Thai-inspired vegetable curry with pumpkin, sweet potato, chickpeas, kaffir lime leaves, coconut cream, and a fragrant yellow curry sauce. Rich, bright, and satisfying, it is delicious with basmati rice, Thai jasmine rice, or millet.

Tempeh Bolognaise with Brown Rice Spaghetti

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

A hearty plant-based bolognaise made with grated tempeh, mushrooms, umami stock, tomato pesto, fresh herbs, tahini, and sweet white miso. Served over brown rice spaghetti, it is a rich and satisfying alternative to classic Italian pasta sauce.

Spinach, Mushroom & Bean Koftas with Coriander & Basil Pesto and Golden Couscous

Preparation Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 65 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Baked bean koftas made with mushrooms, spinach, kidney beans, spices, fresh coriander, sesame seeds, and buckwheat flour. Served over golden couscous with a bright coriander and basil pesto, they make a flavourful plant-based main.

Sticky Teriyaki Tofu

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4

Category: Main Course

Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara

Bite-sized tofu cubes simmered in a glossy, sticky teriyaki-style sauce made with tamari, mirin, ginger, garlic, syrup, lemon juice, ume plum vinegar, and kuzu. Serve with organic grains, steamed broccoli, and julienne carrots for a simple, satisfying meal.