Summertime comes with days when you can be too hot to function, much less cook. This cool, flavorful, and refreshing dense bean salad is satiating and quick to make, no stove needed. For the pita, I use whole wheat ones from Trader Joe’s, which you can toast, lightly heat on a grill, or eat cold, which is what I did on the roasting hot day I made this bean salad. With an assortment of summer veggies, a can of rinsed black beans, and some seasoning, you’ll have a nutritionally balanced meal in minutes, and you can continue your summer festivities in peace.

Something I hear often when it comes to sharing that I eat plant-based, or that I eat a lot of vegetables, are statements like “You don’t find your food to be bland?” or “I don’t know how to cook or flavor vegetables.” Let me tell you, as a lifetime plant-based eater from an island mother, I know how to season and flavor my food, and I never miss any meals. Keep reading to learn my favorite methods, ingredients, tips, and tricks for flavor-boosted meals, so that you can happily eat your veggies.