Vegan
Perfect Rice
Cooking rice on the stove is easy, as long as you keep these tips in mind: To trap the steam, leave the lid on as much as possible while cooking; let the rice sit afterward to absorb the water completely; and always fluff it with a fork just before serving. It also helps to have a basic understanding about the different types of rice. Most rice is classified as either white or brown; the color is determined by the way that the grain is processed. White rice is stripped of its husk, bran, and germ. Brown rice has the bran and germ intact, and takes longer to cook. In general, the shorter the grain, the more starch it contains. Some types of rice, especially Asian varieties such as basmati and jasmine, benefit from rinsing to remove the excess starch and any impurities. American enriched rices, however, have been coated with vitamins, and rinsing will only serve to wash those away. If you do rinse the rice (either under running water or by submerging it in cold water and then draining it), reduce the amount of water you cook with by 1/4 cup. Finally, although many recipes call for cooking 1 cup rice with 2 cups water, try reducing the water to 1 1/2 cups; this ratio produces lighter, fluffier results.
Jamaican Rice and Beans
This island staple is also known as “Jamaican coat of arms.” Some people add chiles to make it spicy, but we like it mild and slightly sweet to complement the heat of jerk chicken. For this dish, there’s no need to soak the kidney beans before cooking.
Broccoli with Orecchiette
Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, contains significant amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, iron, and riboflavin.
Whole-Wheat Pasta with Lentils, Spinach, and Leeks
If you like, grate some Parmesan cheese over the tossed pasta just before serving, or offer grated cheese on the side.
Pizza Dough
The dough is easiest to handle when it’s well chilled—keep it in the refrigerator until right before it hits the grill. Depending on the size of your grill, you can make more than one pizza at a time. (Instead of making six pizzas, another option is to make four large ones; cut the dough into quarters before rolling it out.) If you don’t own a grill, you can make the pizzas on a grill pan.
Grilled Mushroom Burgers with White Bean Puree
We topped these burgers with smoked Cheddar cheese, but you can use another type of cheese, or omit it entirely. To clean the mushroom caps, wipe them with a damp paper towel; do not rinse or soak them because they will remain soggy even after cooking.
Pickled Red Onions
You’ll need to make these onions at least 1 week in advance.
Roasted Garlic
Use half of this recipe in the burgers and half for the grilled tomato sauce.
White Bean Salad with Spicy Roasted Tomatoes and Broccoli
The ingredients can be prepared the day before and refrigerated.