vegetarian

[WildInTheWind]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Tofu is your best friend. Or at least it could be if you give it a chance. I happen to have grown up in a household where tofu was a staple since I was a wee laddie, so being a vegetarian (borderline vegan) for the past 20 years has been very, very simple. I really don't understand where all the tofu hate comes from, because it is just wonderful- raw, stir-fried, steamed (soon-doo-bu), as ice cream, etc. Soy milk, edamame, and soy nuts are also great protein sources. It's an acquired taste, but you would do well to go check out some Asian restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.) to see how they do their tofu dishes. Unfortunately I think most people think of tofu as the slimy crap found in the raw form in some salad bars, so definitely keep an open mind about it. Being vegetarian is not just about fake meats or having to compromise or sacrifice. It's about have great food that you enjoy unconditionally because it is healthy, humane and environmentally sustainable.

Oh I like tofu, I just can't seem to cook it right. It always turns out awful. But that goes for pretty much anything I try to cook.

[jannieC]

Last night I made Hamburger Helper (with Morning Star Crumbles instead of meat) and steamed broccoli. I know HH is evil but sometimes it tastes soooo good. I made the Stroganoff kind and I'm eating the leftovers for lunch today!

EDIT: I meant to add that you can make your own "meat" crumbles using TVP. I bought a bag of TVP flakes, I haven't had time to try it yet. It's my understanding that TVP is really easy to work with- I'll keep you posted.

[irishgrl]

My grandparents were 7th Day Adventists and every Saturday after services, the church would have a potluck and it would be meat free....there was a meat(less) loaf that was served that was OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! and it was made with GRAPE NUTS of all things!

I will try and get the recipe to share, it was awesome!

in the meantime, here is one I found online:

" Deceived" Meatless Meat Loaf

Trying to get out of a bad relationship? Prepare this delicious vegetarian meatloaf, and then run out the back door while your partner is wolfing it down!

You will need:

* 1 cup cashew nuts
* 1/2 cup walnuts
* 1/2 cup pine nuts
* 2 Tbsp. butter
* 1 cup finely chopped leeks
* 1 Tbsp. finely chopped garlic
* 1 cup chopped mushrooms
* 1/2 ounce dried mushrooms, soaked in 1/2 cup warm water and chopped finely
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 Tbsp. each: freshly chopped parsley, thyme and basil
* 1 cup cooked brown rice
* 1/2 cup Grape Nuts
* 1 cup cottage cheese
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1 Acme brand "fake your own death kit"

Directions:

1. Toast the nuts on a baking sheet at 350F for 10 minutes.

2. Roughly chop the cashews and walnuts (leave the pine nuts whole) and set aside.

3. Saute the leeks in butter until softened, but not brown. Add the garlic and reduce the heat to medium.

4. Add the chopped fresh and soaked mushrooms with the mushroom soaking liquid and cook over medium heat about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Transfer the hot mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the herbs, toasted nuts, brown rice, Grape Nuts, cottage cheese, eggs, and mix well.

6. Butter a 1 1/2 quart baking dish or loaf pan and fill with the mixture and bake for 60 minutes. The top should be firm and nicely brown, but not burned. (Brush with tomato sauce or catsup for the final 20 minutes, if desired.)

7. Serve up your meatless meatloaf secure in the knowledge that even your most carniverous guest may be deceived by its hearty goodness.

8. Deploy your Acme brand "fake your own death kit" proving you'll do whatever it takes to avoid doing the dishes.

[amber]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Last night I made Hamburger Helper (with Morning Star Crumbles instead of meat) and steamed broccoli. I know HH is evil but sometimes it tastes soooo good. I made the Stroganoff kind and I'm eating the leftovers for lunch today!

^^ In a similar vein, I use Boca "ground beef" quite often. I don't know if it is available to you. Also look for "Quorn".
Anyway, I'm not an experienced cook - I really like burritos, and they are quick and easy, so I make them quite a bit using the Boca for the burrito meat. I cook it with onion and salsa and other normal beef seasonings, then put it in a flour tortilla with the cheese. Then I fry the outside of the tortilla for a bit (no oil, just browning it in the pan).
On my tortillas I like dark green lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, cheese, guac/sour cream (sometimes). Sometimes I put sprouts. I don't care for beans on it, but if you like beans they are a great nutritious inclusion to your diet. Usually a vegetarian staple, really, so I hope you like them.
You, of course, would make it how you like it.

Also you can use the ground Boca for spaghetti and the like.

I used to be vegan. I'm pretty sure I ate too many breads and not enough vegetables. Make sure you really increase your veggie and fruit intake as you switch to no meat diet. Also try to use "good" oils for cooking.

My tofu experiences have been hit or miss. When it is cooked in a yummy way, I can eat some. But I don't care for the actual taste of the tofu much. Luckily the flavor isn't too strong, so it is a great base for creative, full, and delicious preparation in many different forms.

[kathy1]

i don't know if i would like to be a vegetarian. i like to eat some meat.

[camchristo]

Originally Posted by carrie721

oh. damn canada.

try checking out the freezer section for other brands - morningstar just happens to be my favorite but there are other tasty ones out there. one of my favorite lunches is a black bean burger with melted colby jack cheese with salsa & guacamole

OMFG - that is SO good. I love Morningstar black bean burgers. Tasty. I just bought some new veggie burgers at Costco - Don Lee Farms. They are really good too. They have sunflower seeds in them.

[David]

Originally Posted by amber

My tofu experiences have been hit or miss. When it is cooked in a yummy way, I can eat some. But I don't care for the actual taste of the tofu much.

I love tofu. I've been eating it since I was a little tyke. We had Japanese food in my family all the time because my dad shared a practice with a Japanese doctor. So we were trekking over to Yama (Arcadia area) for tempura, teriyaki & sashimi way back before the sushi craze hit California.

I can take a big thing of tofu & eat it plain. What I don't like is when tofu is being something it isn't. Tofu turkeys or tofu roasts or tofu egg salad, &c. They do something to the tofu that makes it taste funny. I avoid all that dreck. But dice me up some tofu & warm it in a saute pan or drop it in my miso or hot & sour soup, & I'm quite happy. Let tofu be tofu, I say!

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by David

I love tofu. I've been eating it since I was a little tyke. We had Japanese food in my family all the time because my dad shared a practice with a Japanese doctor. So we were trekking over to Yama (Arcadia area) for tempura, teriyaki & sashimi way back before the sushi craze hit California.

I can take a big thing of tofu & eat it plain. What I don't like is when tofu is being something it isn't. Tofu turkeys or tofu roasts or tofu egg salad, &c. They do something to the tofu that makes it taste funny. I avoid all that dreck. But dice me up some tofu & warm it in a saute pan or drop it in my miso or hot & sour soup, & I'm quite happy. Let tofu be tofu, I say!

Oh yes... MISO! Me so into Miso! Me love it long time.

My fave comfort food is a rich miso soup with cubed tofu, potatoes, bean sprouts, onions and lots of seaweed, topped off with a large dollop of sticky brown rice. A similar Korean concoction with lots of chili peppers is called chi-gae. So yummy!

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by camchristo

OMFG - that is SO good. I love Morningstar black bean burgers. Tasty. I just bought some new veggie burgers at Costco - Don Lee Farms. They are really good too. They have sunflower seeds in them.

aren't they delish? i've never had those sunflower seed ones. sounds good though.

[irishgrl]

from my friend:

Grapenuts Roast

Ingredients (use vegan versions):
2 cup Grapenuts cereal
3 cup nut milk
2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoon whole wheat or soy flour, or Ener-G Egg Replacer for 2 eggs
1-1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sage
Directions:

Combine all ingredients, mix well. Let stand 20 minutes. Transfer to large loaf pan or casserole, sprayed with Pam. Bake uncovered at 350' for 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

this isnt the exact recipe I was looking for but its close

[Alison]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughts and recipes.
I really want to make a change.
Keep then coming.
I also can't have gluten. So any thoughts there.
Alison