Old-school noodle cups will always have a spot in the convenience food hall of fame, but there’s also plenty of room in the pantry for different types. This variety cooks in five minutes on the stove and comes with super potent hot-and-sour sauce. You can eat it with just that dressing, but to crank it up a notch and make it more filling, add extra texture with some tinned fish—the tuna belly provides protein and a dose of omega-3s, a type of unsaturated fat that’s linked to good heart health. Cook your noodles according to the package directions, then drain them, put them back in the pot, add the sauce, and heat on low until everything is warm. Open your tuna belly, drain any excess liquid, and add the fish to the pot. Stir everything over the heat for about 30 seconds, just until the tuna is warm. For crunch, add a couple spoonfuls of chili crisp.
3. Spicy Beans With Crackers
(Primary Beans Alubia Beans + Blank Slate Kitchen Zhug + Firehook Organic Baked Crackers in Sea Salt)
Chelsea Kyle. Prop styling by Amy Elise Wilson at Laird and Good Company.
Making sauces and dressings from scratch can be fun, but with all the fresh-tasting, store-bought options available, it’s not always necessary. For a snacky meal that’s basically a riff off pita chips and hummus (but so much more interesting!), try combining ⅔ cup of white beans (a super versatile option to meal prep in a big batch if you’re using dried, like above, though you can certainly go the canned route too) with a couple spoonfuls of zhug. The zhug—a bright green, herby, spiced chili sauce—adds so many different flavors in a single tablespoon, including plenty of heat. The spicy bean mixture pairs well with a handful of crispy crackers, but also works as a salad topper or alongside some rice. Plus, each serving of beans gives you nine grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of fiber, which can help keep you full and your digestive system moving.
4. Coconut Granola Bowl With Pineapple
(Stellar Granola — The OG + Dole Good Crunch Original Pineapple Bites + NOW Cinnamon Honey Almonds + RISE Brewing Co. Original Oat Milk)
Chelsea Kyle. Prop styling by Amy Elise Wilson at Laird and Good Company.