7 pages of veg awesomeness.

8/25/2008 7:44:56 PM

Time to throw out some recipes. I don't actually follow the recipes too closely all that often and usually just make stuff up, but it's easier to post links than to try and describe stuff I've winged.

Stuff I have actually tried:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tofu-Parmigiana/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fabulous-Zucchini-Grinders/Detail.aspx (add onion and garlic)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/No-Noodle-Zucchini-Lasagna/Detail.aspx (recipe has beef but omit it or use soy crumbles; also I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta and don't use wine)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Bean-Pie/Detail.aspx (needs more spices)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Barley-and-Mushrooms-with-Beans/Detail.aspx

Things I haven't tried but have bookmarked because they sound good:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Zucchini-Herb-Casserole/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Stuffed-Peppers-My-Way/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spaghetti-Squash-I/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Pasta/Detail.aspx
Spinach and mushroom pesto lasagna: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=549820
Black bean cheese enchiladas:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=549755
Parmesan-herb crusted tofu sandwich:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223271

8/26/2008 1:48:12 PM

Some of my bookmarks in my food folder:

http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=6081.0 - Mexican casserole
http://community.livejournal.com/vegancooking/2583964.html#cutid1 - crab cakes
http://yeahthatveganshit.blogspot.com/2007/10/creamiest-vegan-mac-n-cheez-ever.html - Mac and Cheeze
http://veganeatz.blogspot.com/2007/05/mc-vegans.html - McVegans
http://justthefood.blogspot.com/2007/09/macaroni-weekend.html - Macaroni salad

Some are blogs that are loaded with recipes.

8/26/2008 1:56:59 PM

I just had a decent tofu burrito at cosmic cantina.

8/26/2008 2:16:40 PM

^^ The number of veggie burrito options they have astounds me.

8/26/2008 2:30:55 PM

Quote :

"I don't get why there is such a blanket of mystery over being vegetarian. Do you honestly think we eat nothing but junk food and dessert? You can make just about anything in a vegetarian form. If you have some specific types of meals you want us to help you find a veggie alternative for, that's fine and I'd be happy to help, but please don't act like we have nothing to eat or you're going to have to give up the variety in your diet to be vegetarian. I have far more variety in my diet than most of the meat eaters I know."

If you haven't noticed the majority of recipes in THIS particular thread are of desserts and junk food because that is what the thread opener asked for. I sashshayed into this thread asking for actual healthy vegetarian dishes that could be eaten for lunch or dinner, not for snacks and dessert (not trying to deter the post, a simple url would have been fine). It was just a question...because when I was a vegetarian for four years and after I've watched what my little sister eats, it just gets old and boring. There are only so many plates of steamed vegetables, spring rolls, salads, soups, pastas, cereal, fake meat products, and hummus that I can eat or watch my sister eat to continue on with this way of living. I hate the way I feel after I eat meat...I don't even like the taste of it that much...

Quote :

"very true. and yes silchairsm, there are plenty of meal recipes. What are you looking for? pastas, grains, veggies, casseroles, soups/stews, slow cooker meals, etc... I'm know I'm not the only one who'd be happy to share, you just need to ask a more specific question."

casseroles or slow cooker meals sound good...I've tried googling recipes and everything I get looks like it was made on the food network and I'm really just looking for easy cheap recipes that are healthy...

8/26/2008 2:37:20 PM

GREEN JAY is retired. wayyy too much guilt

8/26/2008 2:43:38 PM

My organization has a barbecue for the new employees every September. This year it is my turn to organize the barbecue.

I know that we have a few people that are vegetarians/vegans so we'll have a separate grill for them. The problem is, in past years while the meat eaters get all sorts of tasty treats, the vegetarians generally just get some cut up veggies on skewers, not even seasoned. This year I want them to get some food that's as tasty as what everyone else eats.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good grilling recipes. The only requirements are that it's easy to transport and can be cooked on the grill without too much effort. Oh, and price of course lol.

Some veggies I have easy access to:
eggplant
green peppers
onions
carrots
potatoes
cabbage
asian pumpkin
bamboo
mushrooms
tomatoes

and tofu, of course. If it's not on the list, it probably means it's too expensive or non-existent here

9/1/2008 12:21:18 AM

^they can just as well eat whatever you cook for everyone else. they are the ones who CHOOSE to live unnaturally without meat, so the burden is on them.

9/1/2008 12:32:55 AM

Quote :

"the vegetarians generally just get some cut up veggies on skewers"

And yet, your list only includes veggies (except for the tofu)

If your requirement is that it has to be cooked on the grill, then unfortunately the only thing you can do is vegetable and tofu skewers.

They need some starch as well... I would suggest bringing some cooked grain/pasta/potatoes from home. Brown rice, cous cous, pasta, etc are easy options. And then serving the vegetables and tofu on a bed of the grain/pasta.

9/1/2008 6:49:13 AM

I've really enjoyed skewers in the past with whole little mushrooms, pineapple, bell peppers, onions and potatoes. They can be really yummy and filling. We just throw on some really easy spice mixes like Cajun seasoning. I think the tofu can be hard to work with on a skewer sometimes.

Quote :

"^they can just as well eat whatever you cook for everyone else. they are the ones who CHOOSE to live unnaturally without meat, so the burden is on them."

Oh look. How cute.

9/1/2008 8:12:27 AM

this thread is awesome

9/1/2008 10:36:07 AM

Quote :

"I've really enjoyed skewers in the past with whole little mushrooms, pineapple, bell peppers, onions and potatoes. "

Yes, that is fine, except that that is not a complete meal even remotely. You can't just have vegetables at a meal. You need your protein and starch as well.

If I were organizing a party and some vegetarians were coming, I would feel bad just giving them the vegetable kebabs/skewers, knowing that everyone else was having a complete meal with starch, vegetables, and animal flesh.

As I said, the only way to do this is to bring a whole pot of prepared grains/pasta/beans/etc (brown rice + beans is a good idea), which could be put on the grill to heat somehow. And then to make the vegetable + tofu kebabs during the party, and serve them on top of a bed of grains/pasta/beans/etc.

9/1/2008 1:29:29 PM

i just got some yummy stuff at the grocery store (frozen food)....made by cedar lane?? anyway i got some burritos and stuff. they are veggie not sure if they are vegan. they are made with soy cheese though so i guess there's a chance? anyway they were delicious. organic beans rice and whatever kind of cheese. and i added blackbean/corn salsa on top. mm.

9/1/2008 3:12:30 PM

Quote :

"Yes, that is fine, except that that is not a complete meal even remotely. You can't just have vegetables at a meal. You need your protein and starch as well."

Wait. Where do you not see protein or starch? Mushrooms and potatoes?

9/1/2008 3:41:57 PM

Quote :

"Wait. Where do you not see protein or starch? Mushrooms and potatoes? "

Yes, there is [lots of] starch in potatoes, but I was assuming the skewers are of just non-starchy vegetables. Sure, if you are having a whole baked potato, that is fine then. But if it is just a few slices of potatoes in the skewers along with the other veggies, then that is not enough.

But, you SERIOUSLY did not say there is [significant] protein in mushrooms and potatoes, did you?

There is protein in mushrooms and potatoes just like there is Vitamin C in milk, or iron in tomatoes. You actually think that mushrooms and potatoes are a protein source?

Wow.

Just because some mushrooms are used as a meat substitute in some dishes does NOT make them a protein source. You are seriously misinformed.

100 grams of mushrooms have 2-3 grams of protein, depending on the type of mushroom. And same with potatoes. That does not make a protein source. You CAN'T expect to get protein from vegetables. You have to get it from beans, lentils, and whole grains (and their products). And of course eggs and dairy products, if you eat them.

This is what is disconcerting -- people choosing a certain lifestyle (whether dietary, religious, sexual, whatever) without having correct information, and indeed, having false information.

9/1/2008 6:28:26 PM

People confuse mushrooms as having significant amounts of protein because they are classified by taste as umami, the same as meats and eggs.

[Edited on September 1, 2008 at 7:12 PM. Reason : a]

9/1/2008 7:12:13 PM

Man. I guess I am totally screwed and not getting any protein then since I'm only eating skewers with mushrooms on them all day.

I never claimed that mushrooms were some protein super food, but 1C mushrooms is 3g protein, which isn't as horrible as you make it sound. I get plenty of protein throughout the day and so having a dinner with slightly less protein is fine. I'm still getting all that I need.

9/1/2008 7:30:23 PM

Not exactly. Not all protein edible is usable. The amino acids have to be in the right ratios in order for you to utilize the protein gram for gram. Only whey and casein, albumin, and soy protein have a 100% usability index.

9/1/2008 7:32:54 PM

:sigh:

I AM OFF TO GO EAT A STEAK TO GET SOME CARBS. I MEAN, EVEN STEAK HAS CARBS, LIKE 3-5%, WHICH ISN'T AS HORRIBLE AS YOU MIGHT THINK.

9/1/2008 7:36:51 PM

^
Where did I say a %? Not the same thing as grams, but thanks for playing.


^^ not quite, but yeah, they're all up there.

Quote :

"BV Values. 100 is 100% of the nitrogen incorporated. * Isolated Whey: 100 * Whole bean: 96 * Whole Soy Bean: 96 * Human milk: 95 * Chicken egg: 94 * Soybean milk: 91 * Cow milk: 90 * Cheese: 84 * Rice: 83 * Defatted soy flour: 81 * Fish: 76 * Beef: 74.3 * Immature bean: 65 * Full-fat soy flour: 64 * Soybean curd (tofu): 64 * Whole wheat: 64 * White flour: 41 "

[Edited on September 1, 2008 at 7:39 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on September 1, 2008 at 7:40 PM. Reason : ]

9/1/2008 7:38:40 PM

What's your source? I see a lot of variations in the numbers over time and studies, but rice having a more balanced protein than fish or beef seems a bit absurd to me. I've always seen beef above fish as well. And gluten is around 20%, so those flour numbers are way off.

[Edited on September 1, 2008 at 7:46 PM. Reason : a]

9/1/2008 7:41:59 PM

Quote :

"Where did I say a %? Not the same thing as grams, but thanks for playing."

HOLY SHIT IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONVERT

X GRAMS PROTEIN IN Y GRAMS FOOD

INTO

P PERCENTAGE PROTEIN IN THE FOOD

9/1/2008 7:45:42 PM

Well, after you said that it did seem odd, so I checked a couple other places that list BV numbers and while most of them are close to the same, several others pulled rice (brown, white and unpolished) down to the 50s and kept fish in the 70s. I can't find two that agree on all of the numbers though. Some actually claim that beans are way down in the 40s.

9/1/2008 7:47:56 PM

Beans are pretty low. But if you combine them with rice, it works out ok. Nuts aren't as high as people would think they are, either.

Quote :

"I can't find two that agree on all of the numbers though. "

I figured this out when I was a kid trying to find out the number of moons of Saturn.


[Edited on September 1, 2008 at 7:51 PM. Reason : Before internet ]

9/1/2008 7:50:51 PM

Quote :

" If I were organizing a party and some vegetarians were coming, I would feel bad just giving them the vegetable kebabs/skewers, knowing that everyone else was having a complete meal with starch, vegetables, and animal flesh. As I said, the only way to do this is to bring a whole pot of prepared grains/pasta/beans/etc (brown rice + beans is a good idea), which could be put on the grill to heat somehow. And then to make the vegetable + tofu kebabs during the party, and serve them on top of a bed of grains/pasta/beans/etc."

The problem is we don't have table space. We literally just have grills. So the meat eaters get marinated meat on sticks and the vegetarians get vegetables on sticks I was just hoping this year to make the vegetables taste better than literally just cut up vegetables on sticks.

9/1/2008 9:08:16 PM

Quote :

"So the meat eaters get marinated meat on sticks and the vegetarians get vegetables on sticks "

Well in that case, just season the vegetables! Here is what I would recommend:

Coarse salt (sea salt if you can get it)
Paprika
Various dried Italian herbs ---> Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley, Marjoram, etc (sold in shakers, ground)

9/2/2008 11:07:41 AM

^ Oh, and forgot to say, some extra virgin olive oil as well. Drizzle it on, but only after the vegetables have been grilled/roasted.

9/2/2008 3:29:45 PM

just bring some little steam buns too or somethign

9/2/2008 5:24:10 PM

^^^ Yeah, that already sounds better than what we've had in the past. Maybe I'll do a set of Italian seasoning and another one with teriyaki marinade or something.

9/2/2008 7:45:10 PM

one other thing that you can add is sprinkle a tiny bit of good quality balsamic vinegar (from modena) on the grilled veggies at the end (along with the olive oil).

it couldn't get any more italian than that... dried italian herbs, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar! and even though i have never done that myself, my very strong food combination intuition tells me that it would taste awesome

9/3/2008 9:02:41 AM

^
Balsamic vinegar makes (almost) everything taste better. nom nom nom.



Dear Global Village,

Thank you for a yummy vegan hummus panini.

Love,
alee

9/3/2008 10:27:38 AM

Quote :

"Balsamic vinegar makes (almost) everything taste better. nom nom nom."

INDEED!!!

9/3/2008 10:52:07 AM

if you can get the dried tofu skin that would probably grill pretty well.

9/3/2008 11:41:18 AM

^^^ I miss that panini so much. I haven't found a place here that does anything similar, although there is a little cafe that has a mean grilled eggplant panini.

and to silchairsm: as far as casseroles/crockpot dishes go, I have a few casserole recipes I can share- they aren't with me now though. I also have a whole book of vegetarian slow-cooker recipes. Do you want soups, stews, chilis, beans, etc.? It has a ton of stuff, so whatever you're in the mood for, just lemme know and I'll see what I can dig up.

I also just added my favorite couscous dish to my recipe blog- it is deeeeelicious. nom nom nom

9/3/2008 1:14:22 PM

I'm planning my birthday meal for my family (~20 people) and need some opinions.

homemade ravioli (thinking of doing three fillings: sweet potato, fresh pea and a tofu/herb ricotta)
garlic green beans
grilled veggies - not positive on what yet, but probably onion, pineapple, bell pepper, squash and eggplant
fruit - grapes, watermelon, honeydew
homemade sourdough bread

Frozen cheesecake pops
Oreo cake

Would you nom this?

[Edited on September 3, 2008 at 9:30 PM. Reason : forgot the yummiest parts]

9/3/2008 9:29:25 PM

the book skinny bitch has a ton of vegan recipes in the back of it.

9/3/2008 9:47:28 PM

^^

9/4/2008 12:10:18 AM

Sweet potato pecan ravioli with a maple cream sauce and asparagus tips FTW! I had that at A Southern Season once and it was divine.

9/4/2008 12:21:09 AM

This blog has lots of vegetarian stuff and probably some vegan stuff, but lots of the stuff that contains meat or dairy could easily be altered: http://aveggieventuresrecipebox.blogspot.com/

And since silchairsm was looking for crockpot recipes, I'll post this that I already posted in Chit Chat: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ - it's not veg-inspired, but it has several good veggie recipes that I want to try out soon

9/4/2008 12:00:07 PM

Made a delicious ratatouille tonight- topped with some herbed tofu.

9/12/2008 12:10:43 AM

So the barbecue went well! I made skewers with eggplant, bell peppers, pumpkin, onions, carrots, mushrooms and fried tofu cubes. Half of them I marinated in an italian sort of deal and the other half in some homemade teriyaki sauce. Even the non-vegetarians were nom nom nomming them

9/12/2008 12:29:41 AM

did you make that tofu or is it a premade thing, aea?



i need to have some tofus soon.... and keep it away from my housemate. his testosterone levels are too low.

9/12/2008 12:45:33 AM

Kind of both actually- the brand is West Soy- it should be with the the rest of the tofu in any whole foods or trader joes. It's basically just baked in different spices, this one was garlic and herb. They aren't very firm right when you take em out the package, so I cube it then lightly brown the pieces on the stove before putting em on the ratatouille.

but left alone straight out of the package, this stuff is great on a salad. and they've got probably 5 or 6 different ones (tomato basil, sesame peanut, teriyaki, etc...)

9/12/2008 7:19:06 AM

Quote :

"Half of them I marinated in an italian sort of deal and the other half in some homemade teriyaki sauce. Even the non-vegetarians were nom nom nomming them "

Glad I could help

9/12/2008 5:21:35 PM

^^ Man, I wish they had stuff like that here They have some amazing tofu but the closest you get to pre-flavored tofu is black sesame, yuzu, and edamame. And I'm not even sure how edamame flavored tofu works haha.

^ Yeah, I think the Italian ones were the definite hit

Do you guys know about konnyaku? I LOVE this stuff. You can buy it at pretty much any Chinese grocery store.







It's made from the root of a plant called devil's tongue. The texture is firm but chewy. It comes in tons of different flavors. The mushroom flavored one is often put into soups and stir fries. They also have ones flavored with cayenne pepper, citrus, Japanese basil, etc etc etc. I like to use the noodle looking ones in soup because they don't break down like regular pasta does.

9/12/2008 10:24:43 PM

Oh yeah, and I forgot to post this recipe! This is for a pumpkin challah.

Ingredients:

*3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
*1 envelope (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
*1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
*1/2 tsp ground ginger
*3 and 3/4 cups flour (I used 1 cup whole wheat and 2 3/4 cup regular flour)
*2/3 cup warm water
*1/3 cup sugar
*1 and 1/2 tsp salt
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*1 large egg, beaten
*Optional sesame seeds; optional extra egg to brush loaves with

Directions:

Mix the yeast in the warm water along with the spices and 2/3 cups flour. Let the mixture stand for 10-20 minutes, until it starts to foam a little. Whisk the sugar, salt, oil, egg, and pumpkin into the dough. Stir in the remaining flour, then knead for at 5-10 minutes. Dough should be firm, easy to knead, and neither dry nor sticky.

Let the dough rest while you wash and dry your bread bowl. Oil the bowl lightly, put the dough in it, cover the bowl with saran wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until the dough has tripled (2-3 hours). Punch it down and shape as you wish [I opted for two braids, which requires halving the dough and then cutting each half into thirds, rolling those thirds into ropes of dough, and braiding the ropes.] Oil baking sheets or sprinkle them with cornmeal; let the loaves rise until at least doubled in size (ideally tripled, if you have time), probably 1.5 hours.

Optional: you can glaze the loaves with beaten egg if you want, and/or sprinkle them with sesame seeds. Bake the loaves at 350 (F) for 40-45 minutes.

9/13/2008 1:18:12 AM

i gotta find somewhere selling tofu around here... i miss the variety they have at whole foods

[Edited on September 13, 2008 at 2:06 AM. Reason : ^DO WANT ]

9/13/2008 2:05:48 AM

^ It came out really good!

Here is another AWESOME recipe that I'm making tonight for a BBQ I'm going to tomorrow.

1 large garlic clove
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce OR 1 tablespoon white miso and 1 tablespoon habanero miso
2 tablespoons mild honey
1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (if no habanero miso)
3 lb fried tofu squares
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds, lightly toasted
1 scallion (green part only), finely chopped

Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large shallow baking pan (17 by 12 inches) with foil and lightly oil foil.

Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt using a large heavy knife. Transfer garlic paste to a large bowl and stir in soy sauce, hoisin, honey, oil, and cayenne. Add tofu to sauce, stirring to coat.

Arrange tofu in 1 layer in baking pan and roast, turning over once, until sticky and crispy looking, about 35 minutes. Transfer tofu to a large serving bowl and toss with sesame seeds and scallion.

9/14/2008 10:33:59 AM

I made a healthy yummy southern comfort food meal last night. Deep fried tofu, biscuits and gravy, etc.


Gravy - I love this gravy so much. It's just a veganized version of my mom's basic chicken gravy recipe. It's so easy to make and I could eat this stuff plain every night.
Melt 6T soy butter.
Add 1/2 t salt, 1/4 t pepper and 6 T flour. Mix and let cook for two minutes.
Add 1 3/4 C veggie broth and 2/3 C soy milk. Stir and continue to let cook until thickened.

Deep fried tofu sticks - NOM NOM NOM
Marinade sticks for 30 minutes in 1/3 C soy sauce, a splash of balsamic vinegar, 3 cloves minced garlic, splash of oil and 1 T veggie broth.
Cover them in the flour mixture (1/2 C flour, 2 t salt, 1/2 t pepper and 1/4 C nutritional yeast.
Fry until golden brown.

9/14/2008 1:11:15 PM