Any ideas for an easy vegetarian meal!?

Question

I have recently become a vegetarian, and I'm going to stay with my sister out of state for a while this summer. I need some ideas for something I can tell her to keep in her kitchen for me for those nights when they decide to eat a non-vegetarian meal!!

Answer 1

Carrot and Lentil Pate

This recipe is slightly adapted from Cas Clarke's Vegetarian Grub on a Grant.

Fills 4 - 6 sandwiches

100g (4oz) split red lentils

100g (4oz) carrot (1 medium one), grated

1 tsp dried thyme or other dried herb to taste

1 stock cube (optional)

1 medium onion or 1 small leek, chopped as finely as possible

2 cloves garlic, chopped as finely as possible

1 tsp olive or vegetable oil (optional)

juice of ½ lemon, or to taste (optional)

salt and black pepper to taste

1. Wash the lentils, then put in a pan with 500ml (18 fl oz, 2¼ cups) cold water. Bring to the boil (keep an eye on it or it'll boil over) then simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, or until the lentils are beginning to soften and break up. If your lentils are old this will take ages, so go and buy some new ones.

2. When the lentils are at the stage described above, add the carrot, thyme, and stock cube (if using). Mix well and continue to cook for 10 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked to your satisfaction, adding more water if it gets too dry.

3. While the lentils are cooking, fry the onion and garlic in the oil, or in vegetable stock if you prefer, until just beginning to brown.

4. When everything is cooked, add the onions and garlic to the lentils. Mix well, then add lemon juice to taste if using, and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Chill 1 hour before using.

Chickpea and lentil patties4 out of 5

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Ingredients (serves 4)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 brown onion, sliced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tablespoon ground turmeric

1 tablespoon ground cumin

400g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained

400g can lentils, rinsed, drained

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup coriander leaves

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup plain flour

vegetable oil, for frying

40g butter, chopped

2 red onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup brown sugar

extra coriander and hot chips, to serve

Method

Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft. Add garlic, turmeric and cumin and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until soft.

Process chickpeas, lentils, sunflower seeds, coriander, egg and onion mixture in a food processor until almost smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 2/3 cup flour. Stir until well combined.

Place remaining flour on a plate. Form chickpea mixture into 8 patties. Coat in flour.

Preheat oven to 180ºC. Cover base of a frying pan with oil. Heat over medium heat. Cook patties, in batches, for 3 minutes each side or until golden. Place on a baking tray. Cover with foil. Keep warm in oven.

Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add red onion and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Add sugar and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until onions are caramelised.

Place patties on plates. Serve with coriander, caramelised onions and hot chips.

Spaghetti with Olive Oil, Garlic and Chilli

Ingredients

8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or linguine



4 tablespoons Italian extra virgin olive oil



2 fat cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped



1 fat red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped



salt and freshly milled black pepper



Begin by putting the pasta on to cook. Then, just heat the olive oil in a small frying pan and, when it is hot, add the garlic, chilli and some freshly milled black pepper. Cook these very gently for about 2 minutes, which will be enough time for the flavourings to infuse the oil.

When the pasta is cooked, return it to the saucepan after draining, then pour in the hot oil. Mix well, then serve straight away on warmed pasta plates.

Top 5 Vegetarian Sandwiches

Avocado, Grilled Tofu, Hummus & Almond Butter: Top Veggie Sandwiches

© Jill Harris

Aug 22, 2007

Sandwiches are the ubiquitous luncheon food. With this many vegetarian options, who needs meat?

Sandwiches are the ultimate convenience food: slap all your favourite ingredients between two slices of bread (or a tortilla, for ultimate portability) and go. Old favourites are getting grilled – which helps avoid the filling leaking all over the front of your shirt – but is also making sandwiches trendy again.

Still, most of us eat sandwiches out of convenience. How can we use up that leftover meatloaf? Make a sandwich. Nothing in the fridge? Use what you do have to make a sandwich, or use non-perishables like peanut butter and jam.

Just because sandwiches are convenient, however, does not mean they also can’t be gourmet. It has become increasingly common for restaurants to have at least one or two vegetarian options on their menu, ranging from veggie patty (like mushrooms, grains, and veggies) to Margherita-style smoked mozzarella and basil concoctions. Grilling the sandwich to warm the fillings and melt the cheese adds class and a special restaurant touch.

At work or at home, these sandwiches leave the meaty deli cold cuts in the dust.

For the adult taste buds that go beyond PB & J, here are the top five Vegetarian Sandwiches. All also offer vegan options.

For another delicious vegan option, try Tofu "Egg" Salad.

1. Avocado Dream

Ingredients:

¼ ripe avocado

1 Tbsp. cream cheese or vegan cream cheese substitute (optional)

3 small pepperoncini peppers, stems removed and sliced lengthwise

Tomato slices

Balsamic vinegar or dressing

Sprouts

Salt and pepper, to taste.

Spread cream cheese on toasted or untoasted bread; top with additional ingredients. Drizzle with balsamic and (don’t leave this step out) sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Suggested bread: Hearty multigrain or flax

2. Hummus Heaven

Ingredients:

1/8-1/4 cup hummus

Roasted red peppers, cut into strips and drained if packaged in oil.

Watercress, alfalfa sprouts, or other spicy greens

Suggested bread: a lighter multigrain or toasted Italian; pita bread.

3. Smoked Wheat Melt

Montreal Smoked Meat sandwiches are famous the world-round. They consist of spiced beef brisket on rye bread topped with mustard. Generally, they are served with coleslaw and a pickle. As this is obviously not a traditional smoked meat sandwich, so feel free to add cheese. It’s delicious.

Ingredients:

½ package “Smoked Wheat”, orhttp://www.montrealveggiegourmet.com/ imitation smoked meat (usually made from wheat gluten)

Mustard

Mozzarella or cheddar cheese, sliced (optional)

Heat the smoked wheat in a frying pan or in the microwave as per package instructions.

Spread mustard on one slice of bread.

Sandwich between two slices of bread; pile it high. The package reads “2 servings”; they aren’t kidding. It should be a challenge to get your mouth around this one.

Top with cheese, if desired.

Suggested bread: Deli rye.

4. Beyond PB & J: Almond Butter

Instead of peanut, try a gourmet nut spread like almond butter or cashew butter. Because of their richness, top these spreads with a lighter, milder companion such as thinly-sliced Royal Gala apple, banana, or a light honey. Cut into tea sandwich-sized squares, if desired.

Suggested bread: whole wheat or white.

5. Grilled tofu with Pesto Mayonnaise

2 slices leftover tofu, smoked or grilled

Coarsely ground pepper

Pesto mayonnaise: mix mayonnaise and pesto in a ratio of 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise to 1 Tbsp. pesto and adjust proportions to taste

Grilled vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, or zucchini (optional)

Grill or fry tofu until hot.

Spread bread with pesto mayonnaise.

Sandwich tofu between bread slices and top with optional grilled vegetables

Answer 2

well wat i do sometimes is make a tofu stir fry. all i do is just cut the tofu up into little squares or something like that. and then i cut up some peppers and i put them all in one skillet and i add some olive oil and some seasoning or garlic salt too. then when the tofu is like a yellowish brown color i turn the heat off and i serve that with a little ceasar salad and it comes out okay.  oh and dont forget to cook it on like medium low heat. Goodluck!

Answer 3

Congrats on going veg!

Fake meats are very convenient. My favorites are:

Tofurkey Deli Slices ("original" and "peppered" flavors)

Nate's Meatless Meatballs

Gardenburger Meatless Riblets

Lightlife -- Smart Bacon

Gardenburger Flame Grilled Chik’n

Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips

More popular ones are listed here:

http://www.vegcooking.com/guide-favs.asp

Amy's has a lot of boxed vegetarian meals, very convenient. Here's a list of products: http://www.vegcooking.com/guide7.asp?Cat...

Other foods -- fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, grains, tofu.

Good luck.

Answer 4

i like refried beans on toasted wheat bread.

Answer 5

Amy's Soy Mac-n-cheese, add Soy Knox or Smart Dogs.

Amy's Indian food or Trader Joe's Indian Food (Dal) with rice.

Veat 'Salmon' (pan fry in olive oil, garlic powder and capers or lemon juice) serve with rice and a salad.

Hummus, pita bread and a salad.

Gardenburger Breakfast Bacon - make a BLT add avacado.

Slice tomatoes in rounds, top with Soya Kaas mozzarella cheese, basil, cut up figs (peeled, washed in hot water to bring out the sweetness) sprinkle with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Leave out to room temp until cheese is 'melted' looking.

Stir-fry veggies and rice with Tofu - I use extra firm, wrap in paper towels to soak up the excess water. Cut in slices, fry in a little olive oil, hot pepper sesame oil and soy sauce. Sprinkle with ginger, garlic, curry, whatever you have in the cupboard. Top with sesame seeds. You can also top it with sliced veggie cheese and serve on toasted sourdough with mustard.

Gardenburger Riblets, baked potato, broccoli (w/ lemon, margarine and garlic) and a salad.

Pasta w/ marinara sauce, if you have Boca Itailan Sausages cut them up and add it to the sauce. Serve with garlic bread - spread butter on bread, sprinkle with garlic powder and brown in a pan, butter side down.

Clean portobello mushrooms, cut up, saute in olive oil, garlic and a little soy sauce. Serve with salad.

MorningStar Farms Sausages (not the breakfast ones) are good on homemade pizza - add mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, onions, soy cheese.

Easy Corn Chowder Soup – 1 can each of White Corn, Yellow Corn and Creamed Corn, including the water from the can. Cut up celery add to the pot, add a little rice dream milk.

To vegetarian refried beans add mild green sauce. Add soy cheese if desired. Make Spanish Rice – Far East and/or Rice-a-Roni makes it in a box, just add tomatoes. Serve in a burrito, taco or tostada – add lettuce, tomatoes, soy cheese and avacado to the top.

Quorn turkey roast, with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Use leftovers on for a 'turkey' sandwich or in soup -

Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup

6 cups of pure water

¾ cup Vegetarian Chicken Soup Base

6 organic celery stalks, chopped

1 ½ cups sweet onion

6 carrots, chopped finely

1 package organic noodles (rice, corn or barley)

1 package of Quorn Tenders (or use leftover Quorn Turkey Roast cut up)

Sauté Tenders lightly in olive oil. Heat water, add soup base, stirring gently. Add vegetables, noodles (consider breaking them into 1-2 inch pieces) and Quorn Tenders.

Basil, Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwich

INGREDIENTS

1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread

6 fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 tomatoes, sliced

4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced (Soya Kaas)

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Layer the basil, tomato slices, and mozzarella cheese between the two halves of bread. Cut into four sandwiches.

In a small dish, stir together the balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes. Use as a dipping sauce.

Answer 6

make sure to keep pasta and rice on hand, basically that will be good with whatever your sister will make, you can just put whatever sauce she makes with the dinner over your rice, or you can just toss pasta with any kind of spaghetti sauce, try keeping lots of canned soups and what not, tv dinner would be great, especially veggie subsitutes, they have corn dogs, "meat"balls, burger patties etc, they're great

Answer 7

First of all, I'm proud of you for becoming a vegetarian!  (I'm a vegan, so yeah.)  Anyways, I would recommend just going to google and typing in vegetarian recipes and print some out.  Some recipes even have ratings and comments, so you kind of already have an idea if they're good or not.  Then, you could make yourself a little binder of all the recipes you like, which is what I do with my vegan recipes.  Also, you could go to Trader Joe's, which I think has many options for vegetarian people.  Or you could just buy a cookbook.  There's so many possibilites for vegetarians out there, you just need to look around.  Hope this helps, and I think it would be best for you to look for recipes yourself, so you know what vegetarian cooking you really want.  But that's just my opinion!  Sorry this was so long to read!