The last days of summer are a time to enjoy all the fresh flavors of the season while celebrating all the memories you’ve made. Whether you’re buckling down for a return to school or recommitting yourself to a healthy lifestyle, enjoying fresh, vegan meals can help you stay on track and enjoy a wealth of flavors and textures. International Fresh Market, with our expansive exotic produce selection, is the perfect place to find diverse ingredients from around the world. We’ve compiled a few healthy, flavorful vegan recipes that take inspiration from cultures around the world, so you can capture the bounty of summer before temperatures cool off.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean cuisine is known for its focus on fresh herbs and vegetables, making recipes from this area of the world full of health and wellness benefits. Mediterranean quinoa salad is the perfect side dish for grilled meat or a standalone vegan entree. To prep it, lightly toss cooked quinoa, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, olives, and parsley. Once the vegetables are combined, drizzle the salad with a light dressing of lemon juice and olive oil. Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables of your choice or leaving out any ingredient you don’t enjoy.
Thai Mango Salad
Thai cuisine is bursting with flavor, whether you’re indulging in a sweet bubble tea or a succulent sandwich. This Thai mango salad features many of the tastes Thailand is known for, including peanuts, soy sauce, and chili flakes. To make Thai mango salad, combine diced mango, sliced bell peppers, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, and peanuts. In a separate bowl, whisk lime juice, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Adjust the chili flakes to taste until the spice level is to your preference, and pour over the salad.
Mexican Grilled Corn Salad
Street corn is a staple in Mexican cuisine. Often sold at street carts and served up alongside BBQ, street corn is both sweet and slightly spicy. Mexican grilled corn salad features all the flavors of this seasonal favorite and is easy to whip up in just minutes. To prepare it, combine grilled corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and thinly sliced red onion. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together some lime juice, chili powder, and cilantro. The key to this salad is perfectly-grilled corn. Try to sear it so that the corn gets a slightly smoky flavor and a light char.
Indian Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are a hearty, protein-packed legume that is featured in many Indian dishes. Indian chickpea salad makes for a healthy lunch option or a versatile side for dinner. To make Indian chickpea salad, combine chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. Pour a dressing made of lemon juice, chaat masala, and cumin over the salad and toss lightly to combine.
Japanese Cucumber and Wakame Salad
Cucumber and wakame salad is everything delicious about Japanese cuisine, from the light, refreshing dressing to the touch of sweetness. To make Japanese cucumber and wakame salad at home, simply combine sliced cucumbers, dried wakame seaweed, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and a pinch of sugar. Adjust the soy sauce and sugar to taste. To rehydrate dried wakame, simply submerge it in water for up to 10 minutes before squeezing out the excess water.
Discover the Exotic Produce Selection at International Fresh Market
These international recipes prove that eating vegan meals doesn’t mean sacrificing any flavor or health benefits. Try one or all of these delicious recipes and celebrate the last days of summer in style. For all the ingredients you need to prepare healthy, hearty meals, visit us at International Fresh Market. Our exotic produce selection is the best in Naperville!
