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    Mediterranean inspired vegan recipes and more

    Find creative, nourishing, Mediterranean vegan recipes that everyone will love. Zen and Zaatar is the source for irresistible plant-based recipes, with a focus on Mediterranean and multicultural flavors.

    Trending Recipes

    The top-rated recipes that thousands of readers are loving right now!

    • ful medames, a syrian fava bean and chickpea breakfast salad
      Ful Medames, Syrian Style (Arabic Bean Salad) [Vegan, GF]
    • vegan kunafa or knafeh, a shredded phyllo and sweet cheese dessert
      Vegan Kunafa (Knafeh) | Shredded Phyllo and Sweet Cheese Dessert
    • Creamy Avocado Mac and Cheese (Vegan)
    • one pot mujadara, syrian bulgur and lentils with vegan cucumber yogurt
      One-Pot Mujadara (Syrian Bulgur and Lentils) with Cucumber Mint Yogurt (Vegan)
    • This horaa osbao (horak esbao) is a syrian pasta dish with lentils and tangy pomegranate sauce.
      Syrian Pasta with Lentils & Caramelized Onion (Horaa Osbao) | حراق اصبعه - Vegan
    • mutabal shawandar, a garlic roasted beet dip with tahini
      Mutabal Shawandar (Garlic Roasted Beet Dip)
    • This healthy vegan nutella is date sweetened
      Healthy Vegan Nutella (Date-Sweetened)
    • How to make a super flavorful tofu scramble with spinach and cherry tomatoes. Forget about “bland” tofu, this tofu scramble is bursting with umami flavor, seasoned with nutritional yeast and tahini. A great plant-based alternative to scrambled eggs, this flavorful tofu scramble recipe is sure to be a vegan breakfast favorite!
      Super Flavorful Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Tomatoes

    See all recipes →

    Mediterranean Recipes

    Unique Mediterranean vegan recipes inspired by my Arab background, with a colorful twist.

    • arabic kousa or zucchini and bulgur pilaf with tomato
      Arabic Kousa (Zucchini) and Bulgur Pilaf (Vegan)
    • syrian moussaka with eggplant potato and chickpeas
      Syrian Moussaka with Eggplant and Potato (Vegan)
    • This vegan shakshuka make a delicious Middle Eastern breakfast. This Mediterranean brunch recipe is made plant based using chickpea based eggs baked in a tomato and red pepper sauce.
      Mouth-Watering Vegan Shakshuka
    • Vegan baked eggplant meatballs topped with roasted pepper sauce, served over pasta.
      Easy Baked Vegan Eggplant Meatballs with Red Pepper Pasta
    • syrian baba ganoush without tahini, a smoky eggplant walnut dip
      Syrian Baba Ganoush (No Tahini) - Smoky Eggplant Pomegranate Dip
    • vegan jackfruit gyros with creamy tzatziki
      Vegan Gyros with Jackfruit and Creamy Tzatziki
    • mediterranean chickpea salad sandwich vegan
      Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Sandwich (Vegan)
    • Plated, finished Syrian yalanji dolma topped with pomegranate seeds and parsley.
      Syrian Yalanji Dolma (Vegan Stuffed Grape Leaves)

    See more Mediterranean recipes →

    Dinner Ideas

    Creative dinner ideas that vegans and non-vegans will love.

    • This vegan chicken piccata recipe is so close to the real thing! Homemade seitan is a protein packed, plant based meat alternative that works great in this dish. In this seitan piccata, the vegan chicken is breaded and served over pasta in a light, creamy, lemon caper sauce.
      Unbelievable Vegan Chicken Piccata (Seitan)
    • vegan pesto caprese sandwich with homemade mozzarella
      Vegan Pesto Caprese Sandwich
    • This vegan palak paneer replaces the paneer with a recipe for Burmese chickpea tofu, replicating the texture and flavor of a soft cheese. This vegan saag paneer, a spinach curry, is made creamy with coconut milk, making a rich and flavor Indian-inspired comfort dish.
      Vegan Palak Paneer with Chickpea Tofu (Soy-Free, GF)
    • This vegan butternut squash & chickpea panang curry is a sweet, peanut flavored curry, inspired by the classic Thai dish. This vegan Thai peanut curry uses vegan panang curry paste, peanut butter, and coconut milk to create a rich and creamy base. This plant based curry uses chickpea and butternut squash instead of meat. Gluten-free with a n oil-free option.
      Butternut Squash & Chickpea Panang Curry (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    See more dinner recipes →

    About Zena, M.S.

    Hi! I'm Zena, and I love creating delicious plant based recipes that everyone enjoys. Coming from a health science background, I strive to share colorful dishes, inspired by my Middle Eastern background, that nourish the body and mind.

    Learn more about me →

    Zen's Faves

    Tried, tested, and true.

    • The best gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan double chocolate chip cookies that can be enjoyed in just 15 minutes and require just 7 ingredients! A one bowl vegan dessert recipe.
      Best Gluten Free Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (Oil Free, One Bowl)
    • sweet potato black bean enchiladas verdes with vegan chipotle cashew cheese
      Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Chipotle Cashew Cheese (Vegan)
    • Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos with BBQ Jackfruit (Vegan)
    • The best ever vegan sweet potato mac and cheese that is nut free, gluten free, and oil free
      The Best Sweet Potato Vegan Mac and Cheese (Gluten-free, Nut-free, Oil-free)

    Recent Recipes

    • A square-cropped image of the tahini caesar dressing being poured over a caesar salad with romaine lettuce and crispy chickpeas.
      Easy Tahini Caesar Dressing (No Mayo, Vegan)
    • A bowl of Arabic lentil soup topped with pita chips, crispy onions, and parsley, and served with lemon.
      Authentic Arabic Lentil Soup (Shorbat Adas)
    • Drizzling the maple tahini dressing with a spoon to show the texture, with the image cropped square.
      Easy Maple Tahini Dressing
    • Finished image of the kale salad topped with tahini dressing, chickpeas, and slices of avocado.
      Hearty Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing and Chickpeas (Savory)

    See all recipes →

    Headshot image of the author of Zen and Zaatar, Zena Hassoun, MS.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Zena, a passionate home cook with a Master’s in Medical Health Sciences. I’ve been vegan for nearly a decade and love creating approachable, Mediterranean-inspired recipes that nourish your body and soul.

    More about me

    55+ Vegan Recipes for Real Life

    The cover image of my e-cookbook, with text overlay "Vegan is Delicious: 55+ nourishing, innovative, plant-based recipes to satisfy vegans and omnivores alike! by Zena Hassoun, M.S., creator of Zen and Zaatar."

    Tired of the same meals or relying on takeout? Vegan is Delicious is full of flavorful, plant-based recipes (with photos!) plus a 7-day meal plan to make home cooking feel effortless.

    Get it now!

    Trending Recipes 🔥

    • How to make a super flavorful tofu scramble with spinach and cherry tomatoes. Forget about “bland” tofu, this tofu scramble is bursting with umami flavor, seasoned with nutritional yeast and tahini. A great plant-based alternative to scrambled eggs, this flavorful tofu scramble recipe is sure to be a vegan breakfast favorite!
      Super Flavorful Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Tomatoes

    • This healthy vegan nutella is date sweetened
      Healthy Vegan Nutella (Date-Sweetened)

    • vegan kunafa or knafeh, a shredded phyllo and sweet cheese dessert
      Vegan Kunafa (Knafeh) | Shredded Phyllo and Sweet Cheese Dessert

    • ful medames, a syrian fava bean and chickpea breakfast salad
      Ful Medames, Syrian Style (Arabic Bean Salad) [Vegan, GF]

    • This horaa osbao (horak esbao) is a syrian pasta dish with lentils and tangy pomegranate sauce.
      Syrian Pasta with Lentils & Caramelized Onion (Horaa Osbao) | حراق اصبعه - Vegan

    • The sweet potato and chickpea quinoa bowl with brussels sprouts, pepitas, and topped with maple tahini drizzle.
      High-Protein Sweet Potato and Chickpea Quinoa Bowls

    Spring

    • Lemon tahini sauce being drizzled with a spoon to show consistency.
      Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce (Vegan, Mediterranean Dressing)

    • Image featuring a straight on shot of the overnight matcha oats topped with raspberry chia jam cropped square
      Overnight matcha oats with no-cook raspberry chia jam

    • Foamy Iced Oat Milk Latte with Orange Blossom Water, Vegan, topped with cinnamon.
      Iced Oat Milk Latte with Orange Blossom Foam

    • This chickpea omelet recipe is a delicious vegan alternative to a traditional egg omelet. Also gluten-free, this chickpea omelet does not crack or break when flipped, can be stuffed with your favorite veggies, and is topped with a dairy-free avocado pesto.
      The Perfect Chickpea Omelet with Avocado Pesto (Vegan)

    • Featured, square-cropped image of a hand grabbing one of the vegan Caesar wraps.
      Vegan Caesar Wraps with Crispy Chickpeas

    • raw mint chocolate mousse tart pie gluten free vegan dessert
      Raw Layered Mint Chocolate Mousse Tart with Chocolate Ganache Drizzle (GF)

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