" We're here to facilitate your plant-based journey "

PlantPlate.com is here to provide the recipes, information, and practical advice needed to follow a healthy plant-based diet. Whether you're interested in improving your health, losing weight, or eating more sustainably, a whole foods plant-based diet may be the perfect solution for you.

My name's Emma, and I started PlantPlate in 2013 with the help of my husband Scott, a web developer and fellow plantivore. I’m a certified Plant-Based Nutritionist who loves to cook, and I've followed a plant-based diet for over a decade. Having lived in various locations throughout the world - sometimes on a shoestring budget, and often with irregular and demanding work schedules - I’ve had to constantly adapt my diet in order to make it work. It’s taught me a lot, and it’s motivated me to show others just how accessible and enjoyable this way of eating can be.

The recipes featured on PlantPlate are based on minimally processed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They're free from all animal products, processed oils and refined carbohydrates, and are made with simple and affordable ingredients. Our articles are aimed at providing you with plant-based know-how when it comes to shopping, cooking, nutrition and day-to-day living. We have answers to common questions and share practical knowledge that we have acquired through experience. Finally, the resources section contains links to books, DVDs, and video presentations from some of the world's leading experts on plant-based nutrition. It is our hope that these resources will help you to fully understand and evaluate the health benefits of this wonderful way of eating.

Welcome to PlantPlate!  We hope you enjoy your visit. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at contact@plantplate.com.

The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat health problems or illnesses without first consulting your doctor.

Saving Time in the Kitchen

Guide By PlantPlate
Keep the hours you spend in the kitchen to a minimum, with these helpful time-saving strategies.

A lot of people will tell you that it doesn't require that much effort to prepare all your own food at home. While I do agree with that to a certain extent, the reality is that preparing 3 meals and snacks every day can become a momentous task if you don't manage your time properly. But don't let this deter you from adopting a healthy way of eating! There are plenty of strategies you can use to cut down on time spent in the kitchen, so that you have more time to enjoy other things. 

Cook Large Quantities
This approach could save you hours! When moving towards a plant-based diet, you'll come to rely on grains and legumes to form the base of many meals. And while canned legumes may be an option for those short ib time, whole grains will still take 20-45 minutes to cook. When preparing grains and legumes, simply make double or triple batches, and store the extra portions in your fridge. You can use them in the days following, or transfer them to the freezer for later use. The same goes for soups, stews, curries, and even pasta dishes. If you double or triple a recipe, you can portion it into containers, and have the leftovers ready for lunches or dinners during the week.

Keep Your Kitchen Organised
Know where everything is, label anything that you could forget about, and make sure items you use frequently are easily accessible. If you can grab everything you need for a meal in a few minutes, you won't have to spend hours every week searching for the chickpeas that have seemingly disappeared into the void that is your pantry. It's also wise to keep your pantry stocked with items that you use on a regular basis. You can refer to this list of pantry staples and essentials for more information.

Prep Your Vegetables Ahead of Time
Are you chopping carrots for a salad at lunch time? Or some crudités for a snack? While you're at it, why not prepare some of the vegetables for your evening meal? Slice and dice your onions, carrots, peppers, and whatever else, then store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This will save you a a good chunk of prep-time before dinner.

Don't Worry About Peeling
I don't think that I have used a vegetable peeler to remove the skin of a vegetable in about 3 years! Partly for the nutritional value, and partly because I am too lazy to bother. Make sure you always wash your vegetables thoroughly, but save time by leaving the skin in-tact on your carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Like I said, it's better for you anyway!

Use Frozen Vegetables
If you want to get dinner on the table in 20 minutes, frozen vegetables are a great option. They come trimmed and chopped, which will save you plenty of prep time (and possibly some washing up time too!) And because they are pre-blanched, they can be ready to eat in as little as 5 minutes. Try individual vegetables or mixes to see which ones you like.

Invest in Electronic Assistance
If you do a lot of slicing, grating and chopping, it may be a good idea to buy a blender that comes with attachments that do all those things for you. It will save a lot of time, and, if you're anything like me, possibly a few fingers too. Electric pressure cookers are fantastic for cooking grains, beans, soups and stews in a fraction of the time that they would normally take. Slow-cookers are another great option, as you can load them up with ingredients in the morning, leave to cook throughout the day, and have dinner ready as soon as you get home.


 

Want more kitchen tips? Check out these articles on How to Store Leftovers and Making the Most of Kitchen Space.

 

 

Article photo courtesy of Key Foster via Flickr