Help to diversify my meals (soy, dinners, avocado, bbq)

[Everest209]

Alright, so here's the deal, I'm 22, been a vegitarian my whole life. My parents made the decision baised on the health benefits. I pretty much feel left out at every BBQ (but that's a thread for another day). This time I'm just asking for some great meal ideas. Basically most of my dinners consist of something to do with beans or pasta, it fills me up, and I do enjoy it, just kind of getting tired of it. The thing is, I do eat some dairy products, like ice cream, but not cheese. Weird right? I know. So any good ideas for healthy filling meals? Thanks

[tdna]

Mix it up with all kinds of spices, different whole grains, tempeh, fresh fruits and veggies, etc. I usually only eat pasta once or twice a week, not because I have some sort of anti-pasta rule, but because there are so many other great meals to make that I run out of days of the week. Find a good cookbook (my current favorite is Therapeutic Chef) and you'll never be bored with vegetarian dining again.

[bongo]

stir fry vegetables & serve over brown rice with soy sauce

get "nigari" tofu which will fry crisp- you can even slice it, fry it & eat it in a whole wheat bun like a burger with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, mustard

For the occasional BBQ, take a nature burger or 2 along or tofu hot dogs

get a crock pot & start making split pea or lentil soups- lots of easy recipes on internet

Make big tossed mixed green salads with canned garbanzo beans, avocado, tomatoes, etc.

Try tempura vegetables- it's easier than it sounds- serve with brown rice

[treebw]

I've been a non-meat-eater for years and have been quite bored lately myself (pasta especially). I have been trying a few more of the fake meats, Quorn brand chicken and turkey is good, had it last night with a baked potato and some veggies.
Check out recipes on delish.com, or grab a Vegetarian Times magazine and see if you can find some yummy looking recipes.

[f_m]

There are many options, it's just a matter of spending the time to learn to make these foods (or just buy them). Indian, Asian, Greek, Ethiopian, Italian (you can substitute cheese for something else), etc... As the other posts say, look up some cookbooks or magazines.

[cr1039]

One of my favorite, filling vegan meals right now is "saucy garbanzo beans and veggies over mashed potatoes"


Sauteed spinach, onions, zucchini, carrots, garlic with olive oil and a bit of red sauce, add garbanzo beans - cook through. Serve hot over the mashed potatoes.

[king's highway]

I like to have this from time to time...
a variation of southern fried potatoes.
I add carrots for a sweeter taste.


Slice two to three medium size potatoes
about one-fourth inch thick.

Slice three medium carrots a little thinner...
about one-eighth inch.

Slice a small onion... or use dehydrated.

Put slices of veggies into a large frying pan
with some olive oil.

I also add a little water - about one-eighth cup.

Add spices to taste... salt pepper, etc

Cover frying pan with lid... cook on medium heat
stirring occasionally so the veggies don't stick.

Once the pan is heated up and the veggies begin
to fry... reduce heat just a little and cook until
the veggies are tender... stirring occasionally.

Total cooking time is about 15-20 minutes.


Yummm... it is sooo good.


~

[ladyj1131]

I've been really into soups lately - it's winter and cold and they're delicious (and I got tired of only eating minestrone). My current favorites are:

Corn chowder (if you still drink milk) - Cooks.com - Recipe - Corn Chowder

Ramen with veggies (I usually use onion, frozen spinach, egg, and mushrooms) - Egg and Mushroom Ramen

[rachaelb]

I love leek & potato too, yum.

Portabella mushroom sandwiches are great for BBQ's as well, just plan ahead of time.

I am with everyone else about trying to stay off pasta lately, my feeling is that it doesn't have as many nutrients as so many other foods that it is empty calories in many ways.

One of the coolest aspects of being a veggie is having to be creative and come up with your own ideas to make food that works for you. I think we are often frustrated artists sometimes in that respect, lol! So think about the types of things you like to eat and be creative!

Try all those grains you haven't used a lot -- quinoa, couscous, barley, etc.

Make paninis with veggies -- like an artichoke/roasted red pepper panini w/sundried tomatoes, and couscous on the side (5 -10 min to make). YUM!

Good luck!

[bongo]

I use soymilk in my chowder & other cream soups, like cream of leek, and they turn out great. So that's another option for soups.