3 Ways to incorporate vegan cheeses into your Lunches

Plant-based cheeses are much more than just a vegan alternative to traditional cheese. Choosing the foods for your lunchbox shouldn’t be synonymous with sacrifice but rather an invitation to discover new flavors and culinary horizons.

So, whether you want to adopt a vegan diet or diversify your eating habits, vegan cheeses accompany you on this delightful and balanced journey. The versatility of these plant-based cheeses allows you to easily incorporate them into your lunches, as their creamy texture and delicious taste blend perfectly with various meals.

Vegan cheeses: the highlight of lunchtime

Plant-based cheeses offer many benefits that make them essential for a balanced lunch! They are a nutritional source, making them indispensable companions for a well-balanced and healthy lunch. As a 100% vegan source of calcium and protein, they provide essential advantages for your health and well-being.

Remember that lunch is crucial to recharge your batteries and maintain your energy levels through the afternoon. Our cheeses provide the nutritional balance you need to be at your best while enjoying a nice meal. They will provide the required energy to support your activities throughout the day.

They pair wonderfully with a multitude of foods and offer you the possibility to create delicious and satisfying combinations.

Here are 3 ways to incorporate vegan cheeses into your lunches :

1. BENTO-BOX: The Simplest Method for Lunches

The Bento-box is currently very popular, and for good reasons!

This meal solution, originally from Japan, offers many possibilities for enthusiasts of creative cuisine. Its practical design, with many separations and compartments, allows for easy transportation of various tasty dishes; the Bento-box caters to all tastes and dietary needs.

Here are some ideas for foods to include in a Bento-box:

• Fresh or dried fruits;
• Raw vegetables;
• Hummus or dips;
• Nuts and seeds;
• Pretzels or crackers;
• Plant-based spreadable cheese from Plant Ahead (https://www.plantaheadvegan.com/product/vegan-plant-based-cheese-wedges/)
• Marinated tofu or tempeh;
• Vegetables or pasta salad; or
• Roasted chickpeas.

With this creative and delicious approach, you can compose a balanced lunch combining different flavors. Plant-based spreadable cheeses in snack-size portions can easily be added when designing your meal box to include an additional source of calcium and protein in your lunches.

Spread them on crackers or take a bite; Plant Ahead’s vegan spreadable cheeses are available in different flavors, including original, white cheddar, smoked gouda, or garlic and herbs.

2. Flavorful Vegan Feta Salads

Despite their reputation, meal salads are, in our opinion, anything but boring. With well-balanced culinary creativity, they transform into flavorful and nourishing meals that delight your taste buds. It’s also one of our favorite options to incorporate our plant-based feta cheese cubes into your lunches.

Crumble them over fresh green mixes with crunchy nuts, sweet fruits and a homemade dressing to create a refined and healthy salad that will satisfy you.

Here’s our favorite salad recipe: The Summer Delight!

Ingredients (for one serving):

• 100g of crumbled plant-based feta cheese from Plant Ahead
• 150g of spring salad mix
• 100g of firm tofu, diced
• 1 apple, diced
• 30g of dried mango, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 30g of toasted pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Start by washing the spring salad mix and drain it.
2. In a large salad bowl, mix the salad, crumbled feta cheese, diced apple, pieces of dried mango, cucumber slices and red onion.
3. In a small pan, lightly toast the pine nuts and tofu over medium heat until golden and fragrant. Set them aside.
4. Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to prepare the dressing. Set aside.
5. Add the toasted pine nuts and tofu to top of your salad.

To preserve the freshness and crispness of all the ingredients, it’s best to add the dressing when you’re ready to enjoy your salad. Add it by gently tossing it to coat all the ingredients and voila!

You can modify the recipe’s ingredients to adapt them to your tastes or even what you have in your fridge. Feel free to use different types of fruits and nuts or even try it with different varieties of plant-based cheese, such as our shredded plant-based mozzarella or by adding our Plant Ahead parmesan shavings.

3. Various Spreads and Wraps with Vegan Cream Cheese

Another simple and quick way to have a nutritious dinner is by preparing spreads or wraps. You can create a delightful and satisfying experience by unleashing your culinary imagination and crafting succulent combinations.

Take your favorite bread and generously spread the vegan cream cheese for a creamy and smooth base. Then, let your creativity run wild by adding fresh, crunchy and colorful vegetables that will add an explosion of flavors to each bite. Add creamy avocado slices, crisp cucumbers, or legume-based spreads like chickpea hummus for a delicate touch and additional nutrients.

Are you craving an irresistible wrap? Spread a tortilla with plant-based cream cheese and add flavorful grilled vegetables, crunchy lettuce leaves, grated carrots and a handful of fresh greens for a burst of flavors and textures. You can also experiment with fresh herbs, olives and seeds.

With Plant Ahead’s plant-based cream cheeses, the possibilities are endless. You can create flavor combinations tailored to your preferences and current cravings. Whether you prefer vegetarian, vegan, or even wraps with plant-based proteins like grilled tofu or marinated tempeh, our plant-based cream cheeses will complement all the ingredients of your choice.

Remember that Plant Ahead’s plant-based cream cheeses are rich in flavors and calcium, making them a nourishing choice for your meals. Add them to your spreads or wraps for a touch of creaminess and deliciousness while enjoying the nutritional benefits they bring to your diet.

A Variety of Flavors and Textures for Your Vegan Cheese Lunches

When preparing your lunches, don’t hesitate to unleash your culinary imagination! Don’t settle for bland or monotonous meals; explore new flavors to brighten your lunchtime!

Let yourself be guided by colors, textures and tastes. Dare to mix the most unexpected ingredients to create exquisite combinations that will delight your taste buds. Try bold marriages like the sweetness of mango paired with the smoky flavor of our plant-based gouda cheese or the creaminess of avocado in harmony with our vegan cream cheese.

By embracing creativity in your lunches, you’ll transform these midday meals into moments of pleasure and culinary discovery. You’ll savor each bite while knowing that you’re nourishing your body with balanced and beneficial foods.

Remember that health and enjoyment can be a pair. Well-balanced meals will provide you with the necessary energy to tackle the day! One thing is sure, with Plant Ahead cheeses, your lunches will never be the same again!