Friday, February 14, 2014

I'm a vegetarian. What are some simple recipes?




Yaz


I recently bought tofu and a few broths from whole foods. I didn't even know what I was doing when I was grocery shopping. Anyway, please let me in on some good recipes and/or vegetarian cookbooks.
Excluding the obvious of course. i.e. SALAD! Haha. I need some real meals. Also, I don't eat fish or shellfish because I am allergic. Keep in mind I am 16 (going on 17) so simplicity is key.



Answer
What about a tofu scramble. You can use it the same way that you would use eggs. I go on tofu binges often so I cook it so many different ways. There are so many different types too, silk or firm are my favorites.
For a tofu scramble it is simple I will give you 2 recipes. One I make is a soy scramble, use soy or tamari. I saute some minced garlic, onions, carrots until tender then add the tofu and scramble it like it was an egg, then top with soy, salt, pepper, and for me always some hot asian chili paste or sauce and green scallion If you have black bean add it with the veg. Another one is to use Balsamic, oregano or basil and the some peppers if you like. More italian or greek influence. So now you have the basic try your hand on a scramble. Another thing I make is chili, I use the tofu like ground turkey or beef. I cook the onions, garlic, spice then add tofu and beans and more spice. You can even make a burrito scramble and put it in some whole wheat tortillas for breakfast or lunch. Tofu curry is always good, tofu with ginger, scallions, peanut oil and soy cold is good. It is good in noodles. I always make tofu curry with eggplant, longbeans, garlic, and thai green curry with a little kabocha pumpkin. The skies the limit with what you can do, make a tofu and veggie meatloaf or a loaf with chickpeas and veggie or lentils and veg. Good luck!

How do you plan a vegetarian meal if you are a reformed carnivore?




Sharon M


I am transitioning my family to a more vegetarian diet and without meat as a centerpiece of dinner, I'm a little stumped. I can do the one pot stuff, and we love it, but how do you do everyday meal planning?


Answer
Vegetable Lasagna and salad (Cut leftovers into individual portion sizes and freeze for another meal). I like to use roasted vegetables like butternut squash, mushrooms, tomatoes and eggplant, layered with the lasagna noodles and a mixture of ricotta, mozzarella and parmagiano cheese. We are not vegetarians, but do try to eat meatless several days a week. For a less fattening version, use a sauce made with low fat cream cheese or other low fat cheese instead of the 3 cheeses.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers: Marinate the whole portobellos in minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, olive oil, and salt & pepper for a couple of hours. Grill, pan fry or broil the mushroom until nice and soft. Serve on a bun with usual fixings or as that centerpiece of your dinner with Oven Baked French fries and a salad or vegetable.

Soups: I often make soup as our main meal serving a salad before or after the soup. To low sodium vegetables add canned or cooked beans or lentils and pasta. Allow to simmer about 20 minutes, then add any vegetables you like. One of my favorites is Barilla 3 cheese tortellini simmered in the low sodium vegetable broth until done, Remove the tortellini, add some cooked lentils and a can of drained chopped tomatoes and heat. Add back the torellini. Serve over raw julienned baby spinach.

You can find recipes for burgers and meatloaf made with lentils or other beans. Check the frozen food section of your market for more ideas or google recipes. .

Saveur is one of my favorite cooking magazines, Here is a link to vegetarian recipes from Saveur. Click on "next" box to see the recipes. The picture at the bottom are not vegetarian.
http://www.saveur.com/gallery/Vegetarian-Main-Courses

Here are few more good sites for Vegetarian Mains.
http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/2011/01/10-best-vegetarian-mains.html
http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/quick-vegetable-main-dishes -




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