Vegetarian dishes?

[KenyiGirl]

Eric recently got diagnosed with high cholesterol, so we're cutting back on meat. I was cutting back a little before he was diagnosed, but now we're serious about it. We're not going completely vegetarian, but I'd like at least half of our meals to be meat-free.

In the past week and a half I've substitued tofu (my first time ever trying it!) for meat in spaghetti sauce and taco filling and those meals turned out good, they were scarfed down! We also got some soy hot dogs and are enjoying those in some Rachael Ray-inspired wraps

So, what are your favorite vegetarian, meat-free dishes? I'd love to get some tried and true recipes for filling and tasty meals for us to try!

 

[JessLough]

I looooove tofu stir fry. For the soy products, I find Yves Cuisine to be the best, but it is all personal taste, really (I love their burgers, and bacon).

I love this zucchini-tomato bake, too
TLC Cooking "Zucchini-Tomato Bake"

Lasagna is a favourite here... as well as shrimp alfredo (if you eat fish) and tuna bake and tuna helper.

Idunno, most stuff I just kind of throw veggies together and see what it comes out as LOL

 

[Zoom]

I love this recipe, though I go ahead and use a regular egg instead of the egg replacer.

General Tao's Tofu

 

[Dani]

stewed lentils and tomatoes | smitten kitchen

I haven't tried this recipe yet but it's healthy and looks good.

 

[Romy]

Beans are an awesome food. We love getting out the crock pot and putting a pound or so of washed and sorted pinto beans in, and leaving them on high for about 8-10 hours. You can put a palmful of salt in. It usually comes out to about a tablespoon.

Once that's all cooked you can mash it up and voila! Refried beans, but 100000000X better than that crap from the can. Just roll it up in a burrito with some cheese, or put it on corn chips. We love making spanish rice and serving it with the beans on the side. It's really healthy, lots of protein, iron, and other minerals you don't get from tofu. It's really affordable too. We like to mash it up with an entire 2 lb. log of grated cheddar, but I don't know what that might do for his cholesterol.

 

[GipsyQueen]

Vegetarian chili is yummy!! Its also pretty easy. Chop up 1-2 onions and heat them in oil until they are soft. Then add canned tomatoes and let that heat up. Then add chopped bell peppers, (frozen or canned) corn, black beans and chick peas.
While you're doing that make about half a (dry) cup of bulgur wheat by boiling water and then adding the bulgur and letting it sit (heat off) for about 10 minutes or until soft.
Once your bulgur is done at it to the chili, let it heat up a bit. Add cumin, salt, pepper and some chili for taste.


Mushroom bisque is another one that I love!!
I have sooo many recipes, since I don't really eat meat. ^^

 

[Whisper]

I made a delicious vegetarian lasagna from this awesome cookbook I have. <3 I'll go get the recipe.

 

[Nechochwen]

Vegetarian Recipes: Chili, Egg Rolls, Soups, Meals and More

 

[Dizzy]

I make everything I normally would with meat, but just use Veggies instead...

Meat can be substituted for all sorts, or not at all.

 

[KenyiGirl]

Thanks for the ideas, guys, I'm feeling hungry now Romy, we have started eating more beans, they can be used in so many recipes. How do you make your spanish rice? Whisper, vegetarian lasagna sounds really good!

 

[eddieq]

Speaking of beans, I love this black bean soup recipe

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 fresh jalapeño (2 inches), seeded and minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chopped cilantro to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 (19-ounces) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups vegetable cooking stock
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

Heat oil in a 4-to 5-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté onion, garlic, and jalapeño with cayenne, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until onion is beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add beans, vegetable stock, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until soup has thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.

Transfer about 2 cups soup to a blender and purée (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return to pot and reheat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Discard bay leaf. Season with salt.

Adjust spices and quantity of peppers as desired for your own tastes.