Saturday, January 18, 2014

Cooking Ideas For Vegetarians: Garden Veggie Patties And Beyond

By Marissa Velazquez


If you and your family have recently made the switch to vegetarian eating, you may be having trouble coming up with a variety of recipes. Despite the health benefits of a meat-free diet, it can get boring eating the same old garden veggie patties every day. Here are a few ideas for recipes that will break up the monotony and help you get in needed protein.

Cheesy Rice and Beans can be cooked quickly, and the preparation is not complicated. It is also a great meal for people or families on a tight budget, as it costs very little and can last for a few meals.

Boil rice as directed on package. You can use either white or brown rice. White rice will absorb the flavor of the beans better, but brown rice has a higher fiber content. Start your rice first, because it will take about 20 minutes to cook. In a separate pot, sautee 1 small onion, a few minced cloves of garlic, and one or two carrots, diced. Add a can of black or small red beans, or blackeyed peas, and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and cook until carrots have reached the tenderness you prefer. Serve over rice, and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Marinated Baked Tofu is fast and easy, too. Another plus with this recipe is that it does not create a lot of dishes.

The most important factor in cooking tofu is seasoning, as it can be bland of it is not seasoned properly. One idea is to combine soy sauce, minced fresh ginger and garlic, water, and sesame oil. Place slices of extra firm tofu in this mixture, and let it sit for 30 minutes or more. In the meanwhile, set the oven to 425 degrees to preheat. Place the marinated tofu on a lightly greased baking sheet, and when the oven is hot, bake the tofu for 30 minutes. Then, rotate the cookie sheet and bake for fifteen additional minutes.

Dressing Up Your Garden Veggie Patties is one way to get kids excited about them. Another idea is to add a fun side dish, like veggies and dip or baked potatoes.

Veggie burgers don't have to be boring. They can become monotonous when only garnished with same old lettuce and tomato, but there are many other ways to dress them up and make them more interesting. First of all, you can try different types of patties. There are many flavors to choose from, like spicy black bean, mushroom, or masala. Also, you can experiment with different toppings. Try making a fake bacon cheeseburger with veggie bacon. This can work even if you are vegan; you can use soy cheese. Sauteed onions and mushrooms are a good idea too.

Although vegetarian cooking requires some extra thought and creativity, it can be exciting to cook without meat. There is a great wealth of vegetarian recipes on the internet and in cookbooks, beyond garden veggie patties; seek them out, and create your own collection of your favorites. Make a point to try new seasonings and to find out about all the different sources of protein. You and your family can learn to love a diet that is free of meat.




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