13 tasty high-protein vegetarian dinners
Quick, simple, tasty and meat-free
Whether you’re vegetarian or just cutting down on your meat intake, you’ll find these meals tasty, satisfying and full of protein and vitamin-packed veggies. That makes them ideal for post-ride or post-training refuelling. Best of all, many of these are quick to make and only need a few ingredients. Just looking at them is making us hungry.
We’ve partnered with Olive magazine (also published by Immediate Media) to bring you the very best recipes for cyclists. All the recipes are easy to follow and take you through step-by-step how to create everything from home-made nutrition products to tasty and hearty post-ride meals.
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1. Quick halloumi flatbreads with harissa dressing
Combining creamy hummus, crunchy cucumber and spicy harissa, these simple flat breads can be whipped up in just 20 minutes – perfect after a long day at work or an evening training session.
Quick haloumi flatbread recipe at Olive Magazine
2. Chilli, cheese and garlic mushroom omelette
There are few things as satisfying as a hot omelette with a sprinkling of melted cheese on top, particular when the weather starts to get cooler. This tasty version is packed with mushrooms, with the eggs providing a serious protein hit.
Chilli, cheese and garlic mushroom omlette recipe at Olive Magazine
3. Roasted broccoli and feta flatbreads
This dish really packs in the superfoods, with warming cumin and sweet bursts of pomegranate seeds combining with the sharpness of lemon and chilli. Add roasted broccoli, crumbled feta cheese and some crispy onions and you’ve got a dish that’s full of flavour and texture.
Roasted broccoli and feta flatbreads recipe at Olive Magazine
4. Baked feta with cherry tomatoes and garlic toast
Managing to be both quick and easy to make AND relatively low in calories, this dish is akin to cheese on toast with a mediterranean twist. Oven-baked feat cheese is complemented by the sweetness of cherry tomatoes, with crunch garlic toast providing a satisfying carbohydrate hit.
Baked feta with cherry tomatoes and garlic toast recipe at Olive Magazine
5. Spiced paneer with chilli green lentils
Sometimes, you just want a curry. When only a spicy dish will do, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can whip this one up in under 30 minutes. Protein comes in the form of lentils and paneer cheese, with warming ginger, chilli and garam marsala spicing things up.
Spiced paneer with chilli green lentils recipe at Olive Magazine
6. Glazed tofu with pickled veg
At 538 calories per portion, this oriental-inspired tofu dish combines rich glazed tofu with the sharp crunch of picked mooli, carrots and peppers. Add a side of satisfying brown rice and you’ve got a meal that’s actually quick to make but looks impressive.
Glazed tofu with pickled veg recipe at Olive Magazine
7. Halloumi with caper and lemon dressing
We love this dish for dinner, but it also works really well for lunchtime, and it’s guaranteed to make your colleagues envious. Crispy halloumi and tart lemon and capers make for a fresh, satisfying dish.
Halloumi with caper and lemon dressing recipe at Olive Magazine
8. Coconut dahl with naans
Sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long ride is start chopping, preparing and cooking food from scratch. That’s what makes this light and fragrant dahl recipe ideal for just those occasions. Whip up a big batch in advance, then freeze portions and hey presto – pop it in the microwave when you’re hungry and you’ve got a tasty, satisfying meal in a few minutes, minus the calories of other microwave meals or takeaways.
Coconut dahl with naans recipe at Olive Magazine
9. Oven baked frittata
Eggs are known for their protein punch, and in this dish it’s boosted further by low fat ricotta cheese. Incredibly simple to make, this dish also has iron-rich chard or spinach, and is best served with a green salad.
Oven baked frittata recipe at Olive Magazine
10. Halloumi-stuffed pittas with cucumber and pickled cabbage
We love the flavours packed into these halloumi pittas. Tahini, mint, lemon, vinegar and yoghurt, crammed in with cucumber and cabbage makes for a tasty, crunchy and downright delicious dinner. We like to add a drizzle of chilli sauce to spice things up a bit!
Halloumi-stuffed pittas with cucumber and pickled cabbage recipe at Olive Magazine
11. California scramble
Quick and easy for dinner, this dish also makes a cracking weekend brunch, and is just what you want after a hard ride. The chilli and watercress add a spicy kick, and it can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes. Yum!
California scramble recipe at Olive Magazine
12. Black bean cakes with quinoa and avocado salad
Looking for something substantial? These black bean cakes could be what you’re after. Rich, filling, and spiced with chilli and cumin, you can whip these up in 40 minutes. Pair with a tasty and light quinoa and avocado salad for a delicious midweek meal.
Black bean cakes with quinoa and avocado salad recipe at Olive Magazine
13. Hoisin-glazed tofu with stir-fried brown rice
This delicious glazed tofu with stir-fried rice has all the taste of a restaurant dish, but with a fraction of the calories. Better yet, the brown rice makes it extra filling and the broccoli and edamame beans count towards your five a day. This is one of our favourites, with the sticky sweetness of the hoisin sauce complementing the spiciness of chilli and the crunch of the broccoli perfectly.
Hoisin-glazed tofu with stir-fried brown rice recipe at Olive Magazine
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Authors
Aoife is an experienced journalist, editor and product tester. With 6 years’ experience of reviewing bikes and kit, she’s ridden and rated nearly every women’s road and mountain bike available on the market. She enjoys putting the latest products through their paces, helping riders find the right kit for them and sharing the best advice, hints and tips to help them get the most out of riding.
