Break

13 Vegetarian Recipes That Give Pasta and Beans a Break

Dried pasta and canned beans are vegetarian pantry staples for a reason: They are often the backbone of quick, tasty and satisfying meatless cooking. But if the sight of another box of rigatoni makes your eye twitch, or the thought of strolling down an aisle of cannellini beans triggers your fight-or-flight response, maybe it’s time to mix things up. Below are a baker’s dozen of vegetarian recipes that are light and filling all at once, featuring plenty of vegetables as well as the occasional tofu and whole grain — and they’re all worthy of a spot in your rotation. And if you’re looking for more recipes like these, sign up for The Veggie, New York Times Cooking’s new weekly newsletter dedicated to the expansive and delicious world of vegetarian cooking.

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Eric Kim’s critically acclaimed eggplant recipe — just look at that five-star average rating! — makes the most of pantry staples and just two ingredients from the produce aisle. Salty, spicy and sweet, these tender vegetables pack more flavor than the simple ingredients list would suggest. Just grab some tissues before you dig in: “I’m weeping, this is so good,” commented one reader.

Tejal Rao is always asking smart questions, like, “How does grating tomato make it taste so much more delicious?” and “Can you swap cheese in for the bread in pan con tomate?” The answers are: “magic” and “yes.” In her recipe, lightly fried paneer takes a

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6 Ways to Break Out of a Healthy Food Rut

Having your go-to meals dialed in can simplify healthy home cooking. Classic combos like grilled chicken over kale salad and roast salmon with broccoli may always be in your rotation, but sometimes, the dinners you could make blindfolded suddenly lose their appeal. You’ve fallen into a healthy food rut, and the boredom is enough to make you call for pepperoni pizza. But put down the phone — there are better ways to bring some excitement back into your kitchen. Wesley McWhorter, RD, a trained chef and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, shares his best tips for busting a healthy food rut.

1. Try a New Supermarket

Adding interest to your meals starts with the groceries you’ve got in the refrigerator. If you go to the same store with the same shopping list week after week, things are bound to get dull after a while.

“When I worked as a private chef, there was a Korean market nearby with a huge produce section,” recalls McWhorter. At that store he first encountered kohlrabi. The bulbous plant is related to cauliflower and cabbage, and it brings all the health benefits of cruciferous vegetables. Today, he counts it as among his favorite vegetables.

You can get inspired and maybe even find your next favorite vegetable by changing up where you shop, too. Farmers markets, which often carry heirloom varieties of fruits and veggies you can’t find at the supermarket, are particularly great places to find a fun, new-to-you ingredient that

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