Zesty Pea & Butter Bean Bowl with Pak Choi
A comforting plant-based meal packed with flavour and ease
Some days call for simplicity—a warm bowl of nourishment you can pull together with pantry staples and a few fresh bits in the fridge. This recipe is exactly that: vibrant, protein-rich, and deeply comforting. It’s a favourite in my kitchen when I want something filling yet gentle, especially on busy days or in those early postpartum weeks.
This version uses pak choi instead of spinach, bringing a fresh crunch that softens beautifully in the pan. Combined with creamy butter beans, sweet peas, and a subtle umami kick, this bowl is grounding, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make.
Zesty Pea & Butter Bean Bowl (serves 2)
You’ll need:
A little olive oil
1/2 thumb of fresh ginger, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium leek, diced
200g pak choi, chopped
300g frozen peas
120g unsweetened plant based milk (or cow milk)
150g vegetable broth or stock
1 jar (around 400g drained) butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon white miso paste or see below for alternatives
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Feta or alternative sprinkled over for serving
To serve:
Quinoa, brown rice, or toasted seeded sourdough
How to make it:
Warm a glug of olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Sauté the ginger, garlic, and leek until soft and fragrant.
Add the pak choi, peas, broth, and soy milk. Stir well and let it simmer until the peas are tender and the pak choi has wilted.
Add the butter beans and stir through. Let everything warm gently.
Turn off the heat and stir in the miso paste, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Finish with a little more olive oil, sprinkle Feta (if using) over the top and serve warm over your choice of grain or toast. Sprinkle Feta (if using) over the top.
No miso? Try one of these gentle swaps:
1 tablespoon tahini + a splash of tamari, Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
1 tablespoon cashew butter + extra lemon juice
A small spoon of Marmite or Vegemite (for those who love it!
Coconut aminos for a slightly sweet, soy-free option
Or skip it entirely — it’ll still be delicious and creamy
This is the kind of meal that makes you exhale a little deeper. It’s warming, easy to digest, and flexible enough for whatever you have on hand. A perfect bowl for quiet evenings, postpartum days, or anytime your body says “let’s keep it simple today.”
Let me know if you give it a try. And if you’re dreaming of a stocked freezer full of meals like this, I’d love to help.
With love,
Laura