Plant-Forward Recipes for Flexitarian Families.

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Recipes
- Weeknight Dinners
- Sweets
- Breakfast
- Salads
- Dips
- Soups
- Veggies
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About
Recipes
- Weeknight Dinners
- Sweets
- Breakfast
- Salads
- Dips
- Soups
- Veggies
Español

Breakfast
Soups
Veggies
Sweets
Mexican
Mains
Salads
Beverages
Dips
Drinks

Real food. Big flavor. Inspired by culture. Made for everyday life.

Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca with Mint

Arroz Primavera (Mexican White Rice with Vegetables)

agua de fresa 7 1

Agua de Fresa (Strawberry Agua Fresca)

WHAT TO COOK TONIGHT

Soups
Veggies
Sweets
DINNER
Salads
Mexican

A blue bowl filled with Mexican Cabbage Soup (Caldo de Repollo), topped with a cilantro leaf, sits on a white surface. To the side are a plate of fresh cilantro, lime wedges in a small bowl, and a white and green striped cloth napkin.

Mexican Cabbage Soup (Caldo de Repollo)

A bowl of creamy zucchini soup topped with cucumber slices and red pepper flakes sits on a white surface beside a bowl of sliced cucumbers and crumbled cheese, with a brown napkin and spoon nearby, all lit by natural sunlight.

Zucchini Leek Soup (Simple & Creamy)

Tres pequeños cuencos con asas azules de sopa de cebolla vegana, cubiertos de queso fundido y pan, reposan sobre una servilleta blanca con dos cucharas de plata a su lado sobre una superficie de mármol claro. Una ramita de tomillo adorna los cuencos.

French Onion Soup (Easy, Delicious with a vegan option)

A white bowl filled with vibrant Moroccan Lentil Soup, topped with fresh kale, lentils, and dried cranberries sits on a dark surface. A patterned napkin and gold spoon complete the inviting vegan presentation.

Moroccan Lentil Soup Recipe (Easy, Hearty & Vegan)

Three bowls of colorful quinoa salad, featuring chopped veggies like red bell pepper and green herbs, are arranged on a white surface. Reminiscent of Cauliflower Fried Rice, the salad is garnished with cilantro, with wooden chopsticks beside one bowl.

Cauliflower Fried Rice (Easy + Healthy)

A rustic green bowl holds Spicy Mexican Potatoes—baby potatoes coated in a reddish seasoning. Next to the bowl on a pale surface are whole dried red chilies and scattered chili seeds, hinting at their fiery flavor.

Papas a la Diabla (Spicy Mexican Potatoes)

A blue bowl filled with roasted broccoli florets, chopped pistachios, and pieces of what appears to be caramelized onions or dried fruit makes this Charred Broccoli Salad shine. A small dish of more pistachios and a striped towel sit nearby on a white surface.

Charred Broccoli Salad (Roasted-Style) with Dates, Mint & Pistachios

Two roasted spaghetti squash rings, inspired by Cacio e Pepe and seasoned with herbs and cheese, sit on a dark plate with a fork atop a turquoise cloth napkin. A tumbler of golden liquid rests on a coaster at the upper left.

Spaghetti Squash Cacio e Pepe

A beige plate holds six neatly stacked Mini Apple Tarts made of glossy, caramelized apple slices, each garnished with a green herb sprig. The plate rests on a folded cloth, with a large spoon and stacked dishes in the background.

Mini Apple Tarts (Easy Muffin-Tin Recipe)

A glass pedestal dish holds a pile of crispy, golden-brown homemade apple fritters dusted with powdered sugar. Chunks of apple peek through the fritters. Nearby, stacked ceramic plates hold part of a fritter. The background is light and minimal.

Apple Fritters (Easy, Homemade & Perfectly Crispy)

A marble surface with chocolate almond biscotti stacked on a white rectangular plate, scattered nuts, two glasses of red wine, a spoon with cocoa powder, and a small bowl of chocolate chunks in the background. Crumbs and biscotti pieces are scattered around.

Healthy Chocolate Almond Biscotti (Vegan & Dairy-Free)

Slices of candied pumpkin, or Calabaza en Tacha, are arranged on an oval plate, with one piece on a round tan plate. A gold spoon rests nearby, while cinnamon sticks and star anise hint at the warm spices in this classic Mexican dessert.

Mexican Sweet Pumpkin Dessert, Calabaza en Tacha

Three bowls of colorful quinoa salad, featuring chopped veggies like red bell pepper and green herbs, are arranged on a white surface. Reminiscent of Cauliflower Fried Rice, the salad is garnished with cilantro, with wooden chopsticks beside one bowl.

Cauliflower Fried Rice (Easy + Healthy)

Two plates with sloppy joe-style sesame seed burgers, topped with lettuce and sliced cucumber, sit on a white surface. Each plate includes shredded cabbage salad, and two glasses of white wine are nearby against a plain, light-colored background.

Vegan sloppy joes, a perfect recipe

A golden-brown mushroom Wellington cut in half reveals a savory vegetarian Wellington filling inside flaky puff pastry. It sits on a wooden board with thyme, while a rust-colored cloth and blurred decorative plant are visible in the background.

Portobello Wellington

Dos platos con enchiladas de camote doradas y dobladas, generosamente cubiertas de cremosa salsa verde y espolvoreadas con hierbas frescas. Un pequeño cuenco con salsa y una servilleta con motivos verdes están cerca, sobre una superficie clara. La comida parece fresca y vibrante.

No-Bake Vegan Enchiladas (Sweet Potato Enchiladas with Salsa Verde & Poblano Crema)

A bowl of Emerald Kale Salad with shredded cabbage, chickpeas, and herbs sits on a marble surface. A block of Parmesan cheese on crumpled brown paper and black salad servers are nearby, creating a bright and fresh Hillstone-inspired scene.

My Version of Emerald Kale Salad (inspired by Hillstone)

A blue bowl filled with roasted broccoli florets, chopped pistachios, and pieces of what appears to be caramelized onions or dried fruit makes this Charred Broccoli Salad shine. A small dish of more pistachios and a striped towel sit nearby on a white surface.

Charred Broccoli Salad (Roasted-Style) with Dates, Mint & Pistachios

A plate with wedges of purple radicchio drizzled with bold, Creamy Parmesan Dressing and garnished with chopped herbs. A gold fork and beige napkin sit beside the plate, while more dressing glows in soft natural light. Easy elegance on display.

Creamy Parmesan Dressing (Easy, Bold, Ready in Minutes)

A bowl of fresh green and purple Winter Green Salad with crunchy garlic croutons on top sits on a gray surface. Two gold salad servers are placed beside the bowl. The salad appears vibrant and crisp.

Winter Green Salad with Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette & Garlic Croutons

Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca with Mint

Arroz Primavera (Mexican White Rice with Vegetables)

agua de fresa 7 1

Agua de Fresa (Strawberry Agua Fresca)

A jar of salsa macha sauce with a spoon on a plate.

Peanut Salsa Macha (Easy Recipe) | Crunchy + Spicy

A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a white blouse, stands in a bright kitchen. She holds a glass of white wine and leans on a counter with fresh tomatoes, an onion, and leafy greens in front of her. The atmosphere looks cheerful and relaxed.

I’m Alejandra—a Mexican cook, mom, and flavor lover living in Houston.

I share real food with big flavor, inspired by my culture and everything I’ve picked up along the way. Most of what I cook is plant-forward, designed with flexitarian families in mind — always made for everyday life and meant to bring us together at the table.

Mexican Favorites

A collage showcases vibrant cabbage dishes: spring rolls, cabbage salad, soup, roasted red cabbage, and Mexican cuisine tacos with cabbage slaw. In the center, text proclaims “CABBAGE vegetable of the year.”.

Cabbage Is the It-Girl Vegetable of the Year (Mexicans Have Always Known)

A glass jar of Mexican Chili Oil, rich with chili flakes and sesame seeds, sits on a small white plate. A wooden spoon with oil rests nearby on a pink surface. Woven baskets blur in the background, bathed in soft natural light.

Hibiscus Salsa Macha (Crunchy Mexican Chili Oil with Jamaica)

Una mano sostiene un taco de tortilla de maíz azul relleno de pescado frito, col lombarda rallada y salsa. Otro taco, como los tacos de coliflor crujiente, reposa en un plato beige con salsa, una cuchara de madera, gajos de lima y una bebida cítrica cerca.

Crunchy Cauliflower Tacos (Vegan, Crispy & Easy)

A beige bowl filled with chunky guajillo salsa and a wooden spoon sits on a rectangular white tray. Surrounding the bowl are numerous golden-brown, triangular tortilla chips. The tray rests on a light, speckled surface, while the background is softly textured and neutral-colored.

Salsa tlaquepaque (coffee guajillo salsa)

BREAKFAST

A large baking sheet filled with baked granola sits on a marble counter. The granola is golden brown and textured, with visible oats and nuts. A wooden spoon rests on the granola, suggesting it has been recently stirred. In the corner, a white cloth is slightly visible.

Apple pie granola

A glass of iced golden turmeric latte with a clear straw sits on a coaster. The yellow-orange drink resembles a Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie, with visible ice cubes. In the background, there’s a can with a pumpkin label—no banana in sight.

One-Serving Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie (No Banana Needed)

Two bowls of oats and amaranth porridge topped with diced pears, walnuts, and syrup sit on a light surface. Nearby are a whole pear, measuring spoons with spices, and a jar of milk. The patterned bowls add a charming touch.

Cozy Spiced Pear & Amaranth Porridge

Easy Vegan Chilaquiles rojos Recipe

SoUPS

green split pea soups

Instant pot SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH FRESH HERBS

Croutons in a bowl with a person holding a spoon for Portuguese Soup.

Portuguese Garlic and Bread Soup with cilantro

watermelon cold soup

Watermelon gazpacho recipe

Two bowls of kale and white bean soup topped with grated cheese, placed on scalloped white plates. A golden spoon and a linen napkin are beside one bowl. Lemon wedges on a small plate are on the side. The background is a light gray surface.

Garlic, Lemon, Kale & White Bean Soup

VeGGIES

ejotes al horno

BAKED GREEN BEANS WITH Fake AIOLI

A person in a striped shirt holds a bowl of corn and chopped green vegetables, crafting a Sinaloense colache with a wooden spoon. Two zucchinis rest on the wooden table nearby, alongside a small bowl containing two gray stones.

Colache Sinaloense (Calabacitas con elote)

A person wearing a blue shirt holds a patterned bowl filled with thin, crispy, healthy sweet potato chips. The left hand supports the bowl as the right hand picks up a chip. The softly blurred background keeps the focus on the snack.

Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Chips (Easy & Crispy!)

German creamy cucumber dill salad

SWEETS

Peach and raspberry crumble

grilled pineapple

Baked Spicy-Sweet Pineapple

A stack of five round, beige cookies is on a dark plate against a black background. They resemble crumbly and rich mazapán, with cookie crumbs scattered on the white surface. To the side, a light gray cloth adds texture to the scene.

What is Mazapán? (Mexican Peanut Candy + Homemade Recipe)

Reese's hechos en casa

Easy vegan peanut butter cups

DINNER

vegan frijoles charros 11

Vegan frijoles charros

A glass bowl of fresh zucchini pasta salad with rigatoni, sliced cooked zucchini, and a sprinkle of parmesan sits on a white countertop next to a wooden cutting board, all lightly coated in a creamy parmesan dressing.

Zucchini Pasta Salad (Fresh & Easy with Parmesan Dressing)

Un sándwich Reuben con pan de centeno, ensalada de col rallada y salsa se corta por la mitad y se sirve en un plato negro. Acompañado de patatas fritas crujientes y pepinillos, una manzana se encuentra al fondo, sobre una superficie de madera.

Apple Reuben sandwich

CHIPOTLE BBQ MUSHROOM SLIDERS

BBQ Mushroom Sliders (Vegan Pulled “Pork” Style)

salads

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Easy lentil salad with quinoa and asparagus

Receta de ensalada vegana de papas rostizadas con chile anch y pico de gallo con aguacate.

Spicy Roasted Potatoes with Avocado pico de gallo

A black bowl filled with a kale and navy beans salad, featuring apple slices, pomegranate seeds, and quinoa. The bowl sits on a light surface near a white napkin, a small wooden bowl of pomegranate seeds, and a gold salad server.

Vegan farro salad with kale and navy beans

Brussels sprouts salad with avocado and salt.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lime & Avocado (Easy + Vegan)

DRINKS

A person pours orange-colored agua de melon from a glass pitcher into a short glass filled with ice. Another filled glass sits beside it on a white tray with a blue pattern, garnished with fresh mint leaves. The background is softly blurred.

Melon Agua Fresca (Agua de Melón)

Two clear glasses filled with a pecan milk,

Pecan Milk (Quick, Creamy & Naturally Vegan)

Delicious Peach Wine Slushie: My favorite summer drink

Two clear glasses filled with a light beige limonada con chia sit on a terrazzo tray, each garnished with a lime slice. A glass pitcher with more fresh drink is in the background, and a bowl of limes is on the side. The scene is set against a white textured background.

Limonada con chia (limeade with chia seeds)

appetizers

Spring rolls de verduras con salsa de almendra

Fresh vegetable spring rolls with almond sauce

A bowl of basic hummus drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with spices sits on a dark tray, surrounded by colorful carrot sticks in orange, yellow, and purple hues, arranged in a fan shape on a light gray background.

How to Make the Best Creamy Hummus at Home

A green ceramic bowl filled with nachos, topped with black beans, poblano cashew crema, sliced yellow peppers, and fresh cilantro. The vibrant colors and textures are captivating, reminiscent of a healthy vegan Frito pie, with another bowl of chips blurred in the background.

Frito Pie with Black Bean Chili & Poblano Crema

homemade trail mix

Homemade trail mix

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Breakfast
Soups
Veggies
Sweets
Mexican
Mains
Salads
Beverages
Dips
Drinks

Real food. Plant-forward with options for all.

This is cooking for real families with different ways of eating. You’ll find vegetarian and plant-forward recipes, plus flexible options to make each dish your own. And while AleCooks isn’t only a Mexican food blog, it’s where my Mexican roots shine through in bold, plant-forward recipes full of flavor.

Piloncillo y Vainilla LLC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

© 2026 Piloncillo&Vainilla

About
Recipes
- Weeknight Dinners
- Sweets
- Breakfast
- Salads
- Dips
- Soups
- Veggies
Español

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