Medically reviewed by Shahzadi Devje, Registered Dietitian (RD) & Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
As we avoid going outdoors, it means fewer visits to restaurants, grocery stores and markets - and cooking more at home. If you're on the hunt for easy and healthy recipes - pantry foods and freezer food items are your best friends. Indeed, they're nourishing, satisfying, easy and budget-friendly.
Don't fret; we've made it super easy for you by sharing some of your favourite comforting recipes using pantry foods and essential frozen food items. We're talking beans, lentils, frozen fruits and vegetables, canned and frozen fish, grains, nuts and seeds. Plus, if you're working from home with an unpredictable schedule, easy and healthy recipes are the way to go. Below, you'll find a collection of Desi~licious recipes using pantry foods and freezer essentials.
Easy and Healthy Recipes
Rice, Quinoa, Oats, Pasta
Rice
Jewelled Persian Rice
Persian rice infused with the luxurious scent of saffron and cardamom - jewelled with crunchy carrot matchsticks, tart dried cranberries and protein-rich chickpeas to create a desilicous show-stopping rice dish for your holiday menu. Yes, it's as good as it looks.
Check out this recipe
2. Zarda (Sweet Rice With Nuts & Coconut)
Zarda (Sweet Rice With Nuts and Coconut)
This Zarda Sweet Rice is a healthier twist to a traditional recipe; with half the sugar and less fat. The rice is cooked in nuts, cardamom, sugar, coconut and dried fruits, and finished with saffron milk, to create an irresistible end to your meal. Celebrate Eid and delight your guests with this festive recipe!
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3. Ginger Lime Chicken with Broccoli
Serve with frozen steamed broccoli and boiled rice.
Ginger Lime Chicken with Broccoli
Forget the Chinese takeaway this week and try this speedy meal. Lean, light and luscious, these chicken strips are coated in ginger, lime and soy sauce - without any additional salt. Done and dusted in under 30 minutes, you won't be able to resist this succulent ginger-lime chicken with broccoli.
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Quinoa
Kale and Quinoa Salad
This Kale and Quinoa Salad recipe calls for beautifully colourful ingredients to brighten your day. It's a stellar recipe — especially if you're on the hunt for salad ideas for lunch. Best for summer days, healthy meal prep for the week, or a nourishing side salad for cookouts and BBQs. Vegan and gluten-free.
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5. Quinoa Lentil Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Quinoa Lentil Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Enticing stuffed zucchini boats! Super-yummy and packed with nutrition, these adorable boats are the perfect way to have fun with kids in the kitchen! Discover how to turn a simple vegetable into a delicious, and satisfying dish with an easy filling of sautéed onion, garlic, tomatoes, quinoa, and brown lentils.
Check out this recipe
6. Warm Asparagus Tomato Quinoa Salad
Warm Asparagus Tomato Quinoa Salad | Easy, One-Pot, Spring Dish
Done and dusted in under 30 minutes, this simple one-pan Asparagus Tomato Quinoa Salad is rich in taste; infused with flavours from peppers, garlic and cumin. The perfect meatless one pan meal for easy prep and cleanup. Who’s in?!
7. Vegetarian Quinoa Pilau Recipe
Vegetarian Quinoa Pilau Recipe
Inspired by the traditional rice pilau, this enticing and super-healthy gluten free Vegetarian Quinoa Pilau Recipe, aka "qui-lau" is bursting with flavour, and so simple to pull off. Infused with the aroma of cumin, coriander and garam masala, this recipe is one you will want to add to your repertoire. Satisfying and finger-licking good!
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Oats
8. Vegan Cranberry Apple Crumble
Vegan Cranberry Apple Crumble Recipe
This Cranberry Apple Crumble recipe is a sweet and tart delight! It’s easy to make, vegan, gluten-free and packed full of nourishing ingredients. Yup, it’s my Desi~licious healthier spin on dessert, using wholegrain oats, relying on the sweetness and flavour of dried cranberries, apples and coconut. And guess what? It isn’t loaded with added sugar either! No matter what season, this luscious recipe will satisfy that sweet tooth.
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Homemade Granola
Now you can easily create your own homemade granola - minus the preservatives. A plant powered recipe, made with real pumpkin and fiber rich oats, heart healthy almonds and sunflower seeds, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup - this recipe is the perfect choice as a healthy breakfast or nourishing snack.
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10. No Added Sugar Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
No Added Sugar Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Probably one of the easiest, healthiest and most delicious Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies you'll ever make. Rolled oats, ripe bananas, dates, cacao and cinnamon come together to create an incredibly soft, unbelievably chewy, and absolutely wholesome cookie recipe. Just blend, spoon, bake and enjoy!
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Desi~licious Masala Egg Oatmeal Breakfast
Looking for easy and healthy breakfast ideas? Take your oatmeal to the next level with my savoury Masala Oatmeal Breakfast recipe - featuring eggs. It's the ultimate busy-bee brekkie, bursting with nourishing heart-healthy ingredients. A creamy, rich amalgamation of rolled oats, onion, peas and tomatoes. All mixed with eggs, chillies and cilantro, and infused with traditional South Asian spices to create a spicy and Desi~licious breakfast.
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Pasta
Serve sauce with pasta, spaghetti.
The Best Tomato Sauce From Scratch
Want to learn how to make a delicious basic tomato sauce at home? This recipe is a luscious blend of sweet grape tomatoes, simmered in garlic, oregano, and black pepper to create the perfect tomato sauce. It's a quick and easy one-pan recipe that transforms into the best pizza base sauce, pasta sauce, and curry in a hurry! All three serving ideas are easy healthy dinner ideas that are also heart healthy and pack a nutritional punch!
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Easy and Healthy Recipes With Canned Food
Beans
Desi Pumpkin Bean Burger
Just in time for Fall, these easy and healthy Desi Pumpkin Bean Burgers are an excellent alternative to store bought vegan burgers. Kidney beans, pumpkin and oats infused with curry powder and cumin, to create a healthy ethnic recipe - that'll knock your socks off! Served on a bed of alfalfa microgreens and topped with creamy guacamole. Just tuck in!
Check out this recipe
14. Superfood Vegetarian Chili Recipe
The Best Healthy Chili Recipe You'll Ever Eat
Learn how to make this Desi~licious healthy chili recipe that's chock full of vegetables. It's our favourite vegan chili recipe - that's also freezer-friendly.
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15. Daal Makhani | Coconut Lentil Curry
Daal Makhani | Coconut Lentil Curry
Rich. Spicy. Exquisite. A mouthwatering and aromatic Indian dish, Daal Makhani is a thick, hearty lentil curry, made with brown lentils and red kidney beans in a creamy coconut and tomato sauce and seasoned with traditional Indian spices. This meatless meal is a guaranteed winner! High protein, vegan and gluten free.
Check out this recipe
16. Bharazi (Vegan Coconut Curry)
Bharazi (Vegan Coconut Curry)
A classic from Nairobi, East Africa, this easy Vegan Coconut Curry, aka Bharazi, will make your taste buds dance. Perfect as a one-pot dinner, this mouthwatering creamy sauce is infused with the flavors of coconut, onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric and cilantro - to create a flavor-packed plant powered dish. Meatless Monday....check!
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Vegan Kebab Recipe
Perfect for times when your pantry is low in ingredients, and you just need something quick and simple. This kebab recipe creates succulent and soft kebabs (Shammi kebab-style) that are packed with protein and rich in flavour!
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18. Slow Cooker Black Eyed Beans Curry (Lobia)
Slow Cooker Vegan Black Eyed Peas Recipe
This budget-friendly Slow Cooker Vegan Black Eyed Peas Recipe is a game-changer if you're looking for a hassle-free easy and healthy recipe. Super simple to pull off, family-friendly and brimming with Desi~licious flavours. It's the perfect pick to feed a crowd using humble pantry ingredients. Vegan, gluten-free and only 15 minutes of prep time required.
Check out this recipe
Chickpeas
19. Mediterranean Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Lunch in a Jar: Mediterranean Quinoa Chickpea Salad
On a hunt for a simple and easy way to enjoy lunch at the office? Try this gluten free, low GI and portable Mediterranean Quinoa Chickpea Salad in a jar. It’s delicious, nourishing and oh so satisfying - minus the sogginess!
Check out this recipe
20. Kale Salad with Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Massaged Kale Salad With Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
A refreshing and flavorful kale salad, tossed in a creamy avocado-herb dip and topped with slightly-crispy spicy chickpeas. Now that's one salad you won't be able to resist.
Check out this recipe
21. Vegetable Dip
Holiday Veggie Dip Platter
Feast your eyes on this stunning easy and healthy plant-based platter. Featuring a sweet and creamy veggie dip made with roasted bell pepper, chickpeas, avocado and dried cranberries centred around an assortment of vegetables, fruits and toasted naan bread to create a beautiful and simple holiday centrepiece.
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Canned Fish Recipe Ideas
22. Salmon and Quinoa Mason Jar Salad
Salmon and Quinoa Mason Jar Salad
Looking for healthy low carb lunch ideas? Learn how to make this make-ahead delicious salmon mason jar salad. With layers of colorful vegetables, heart healthy salmon, and fibre-rich quinoa - all made complete with the dressing of your dreams! Super easy, fresh and oh so satisfying!
Check out this recipe
23. Tuna Cutlets
Easy Tuna Cakes
A delicious and super-simple lunch or light supper option, this tuna cakes recipe is one to add to your arsenal. Using simple and readily available ingredients, this one is ready and on your table in just 30 minutes.
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Canned Pumpkin
Mini Homemade Pumpkin Pies
Homemade pumpkin pies at their best. No gluten, no dairy and no bake! A creamy pumpkin-cashew filling with a rich nutty-date crust, these are the perfect dessert choice this Fall. Think you don't have time to pull off a pie, these are done in under 30 minutes, and top our easy and healthy recipes list! Vegan and free from from refined sugar.
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Spiced Pumpkin Date Cupcakes
Welcome fall with these soft, moist and reduced sugar Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes. The rich flavour of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, with the creaminess of pumpkin puree, make these morsels a perfect snack or make-ahead breakfast. This one's a keeper!
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Chocolate And Pumpkin Breakfast Smoothie
This dairy-free Chocolate and Pumpkin Breakfast Smoothie is perfect if you've got a sweet tooth and after an easy and healthy nourishing breakfast recipe. It's rich, creamy and decadent. Plus, with zero added sugar and bursting with good-for-you ingredients, it'll surely power you through till lunchtime!
Check out this recipe
Easy and Healthy Recipes For Desserts With Nuts, Nut Butter, Seeds And Dried Fruits
27. No-Bake Cranberry Energy Bites
No-Bake Cranberry Energy Bites
You just can’t beat convenient no-fuss recipes, that taste mmm, mmm delish. These 4-ingredient easy and healthy no-bake cranberry energy bites pack a protein punch. They're desilicious and gluten-free. An ideal snack before dinner, post-workout or as an elegant holiday dessert.
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Pan-Seared Peanut Butter Tofu Sandwich
Take meatless Monday to the next level with this scrumptious vegan tofu sandwich, filled with cucumber slices, spinach leaves, grated beetroot and creamy guacamole. It features thin slabs of pan-seared tofu, doused in the best tofu marinade: peanut butter, Sriracha hot sauce, garlic, and soy sauce whizzed together to create a flavour-packed tofu recipe
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Filo Cups with Apple Cranberry Salsa
One of my favourite party tricks is filo cups! These elegant cranberry and apple cups are a cinch to make and perfect for entertaining.Tangy cranberry salsa made with green apple, fresh cilantro, and squeeze of lime juice. A light dessert idea that's super delicious!
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Raspberry Vegan Bars
These deliciously nutty no-bake Raspberry Vegan Bars are creamy, tangy, and jam-packed with antioxidants. The perfect healthy dessert or snack, that contains no refined sugar - but tonnes of favour and goodness! Gluten free.
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Pistachio Apricot Ladoos
Are you looking for a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make snack? Look no further than these vegan pistachio apricot ladoos! These ladoos only require three ingredients and take 5 minutes to make. They're also gluten-free, with no added sugar, so they're ideal for people with type 2 diabetes. They're particularly delicious as Ramadan sweets, especially if you're after Iftar ideas.
Check out this recipe
How To Make Chia Pudding With Strawberry Nice Cream
A cold and creamy dessert, this Vegan Chia Pudding with Strawberry Banana Nice Cream will make your taste buds dance. Frozen strawberries and bananas are blitzed into a delicious soft serve ice cream, that's dolloped over a thick and creamy chia pudding - all without any added sugar. You're welcome!
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potatoes
Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
Looking for an alternative to regular potato fries? Discover these salty-sweet thyme baked sweet potato wedges. Full of flavour, and super easy to pull off. And of course so good for you! A great dish to bring to a BBQ or cook out. Vegan and gluten free.
Check out this recipe
Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe With Sweet Potatoes
What could be a better dish for your holiday menu, than this easy and healthy roasted Brussels sprouts recipe with sweet potatoes and dried cranberries - full of flavour and natural sweetness! If you're not a Brussels sprouts fan, this desilicious recipe will change your mind!
Check out this recipe
Easy and Healthy Recipes With Freezer Foods
35. 4-Spice Basa Fillets Recipe
Spicy Pan Fried Basa Fillet Recipe
Done in under 30 minutes, this pan fried Basa fillet recipe adds the perfect amount of spice to a healthy, weeknight dinner the whole family will love! Crispy on the outside, with an inner flesh - that melts in your mouth.
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36. South Asian Fish Biryani Recipe
Fish Biryani
A mouthwatering fish biryani (traditionally known as machi biryani) to complement any celebration! It's a layered Basmati rice dish made with spicy haddock fish fillets and uses the "dum" method to create a truly unique and flavourful meal. This recipe is protein-rich and packed with fibre, using less oil and lots of tomatoes and pepper to create a nutritious recipe.
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37. Spicy Okra Recipe (Bhindi)
Okra Recipe (Bhindi)
Ready to make meal planning a breeze? Try this simple and mouthwatering 20-minute okra recipe (Bhindi). An all-time favourite Indian and Pakistani dish, this recipe is bursting with nutrition and flavor. If you're tired of eating the same 'ol veggies, this has your name written all over it!
Check out this recipe
38.Shrimp Curry
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Are you looking for a protein-rich, flavour-packed meal and don't have much time? This coconut shrimp curry can be on your table in literally 15 minutes. It's elegantly spiced and insanely desi-licious. What can be faster, easier and tastier than seafood?!
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Easy Lemon Pepper Salmon
Primed for a weeknight dinner, this easy and healthy flavourful Lemon Pepper Salmon recipe can be on the table in just 20 minutes. This one-pan wonder is by far the easiest fish recipe you'll ever make. Flaky, juicy, tangy and absolutely desilicious.
Check out this recipe
Easy And Healthy Frozen Desserts Ideas
40.Strawberry Kiwi Banana Nice Cream
No Added Sugar Strawberry Kiwi Banana Nice Cream
Learn how to make Strawberry Kiwi Banana Nice Cream. 3 minutes and 3 ingredients is all you need to whip up this super-simple and delicious treat - right at home. A light and refreshing dessert with zero added sugar, but tonnes of natural flavour. Can you resist?
Check out this recipe
41.Chocolate Cupcakes With Strawberry Buttercream
Chocolate Cupcakes With Strawberry Buttercream
Easy, delicious and full of Frozen fun – these homemade chocolate cupcakes with a smooth strawberry buttercream are the perfect kids' party dessert. With moist frozen strawberries hidden in the centre, and decorated with Anna and Elsa toppers, they're the ideal addition to any Frozen-themed party!
Check out this recipe
Pineapple and Mango Smoothie
Creamy, thick and with all the Summer feels, this healthy tropical Pineapple Mango Smoothie, is truly sunshine in a glass. Super easy to pull off; it's made in under five minutes, and uses 100% whole foods to create the perfect refreshing treat to cool you down! Vegan and 5-year old approved.
Check out this recipe
43.Pineapple Coconut Ice Lollies
Pineapple Coconut Ice Lollies Recipe
Beat the heat with this easy and healthy homemade pineapple coconut ice lollies recipe. Creamy coconut milk blended with chunks of pineapple, banana and a dash of turmeric, to create a vegan decadent delight. Insanely delicious and with zero added sugar, they're a coconut lover's dream!
Check out this recipe
44.Healthy Watermelon Strawberry Popsicles
Healthy Watermelon Strawberry Popsicles
Stay hydrated with these bright and cooling no-added sugar watermelon strawberry ice lollies. The perfect healthy treat for a hot Summer’s day. Its not only the kids who will devour these!
Check out this recipe
I'd love to hear from you! What easy and healthy recipes are you leaning on during this time? What types of recipes would be helpful for you and your family? Let me know in the comments below!
If you try any of these recipes, would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate them, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and twitter! Can't wait to see your photos.
Desi~liciously Yours,
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Shahzadi is an award-winning registered dietitian (RD) regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and certified diabetes educator (CDE), approved by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. A YouTuber and notorious foodie, she's dedicated to helping you end your cooking wars, transform your health, and be the best version of yourself! Shahzadi is an on-air nutrition expert for CTV Your Morning and a regular contributor for Global News and other national media outlets.
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