Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Cooking Ideas For Vegetarians: Garden Veggie Patties And Beyond

By Marissa Velazquez


Many people are aware of the health benefits of removing meat from their diets, but many people are also afraid to make the switch to vegetarian eating. A lot of people think of vegetarian food as boring. They picture only bland tofu, flavorless stir-fry, and garden veggie patties on dry whole wheat bread. People also worry about getting enough protein from a diet that does not include meat. However, there are many ways to include that important protein in your meal and also get some variety in the flavors and textures of your food. Below are a few recipe ideas to try.

Cheesy Beans and Rice is a simple, quick recipe. It is also very low in cost, and it can be stretched to feed a lot of people, or to last through two or three meals.

When cooking beans and rice, you have several choices. You can choose between white rice and brown rice, and canned beans or dry beans. You also have the choice of what kind of beans to use. Some of my personal favorites are black beans, small red beans, and blackeye peas. You should start your rice first. Then, in another pot, combine an onion, a few minced garlic cloves, and some diced carrots. Saute those ingredients together, and then add your beans. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook on low until the carrots are as soft as you want them and the flavors have combined. Serve the beans over the rice, and add shredded cheese, which will melt on top.

Baked Marinated Tofu is also fairly quick and simple. Another plus is that this recipe creates very few dishes.

Many people think that tofu is bland, but it does not have to be. Marinating tofu can make a huge difference in the flavor. To make a ginger marinade, combing water, soy sauce, fresh minced garlic, fresh minced ginger, and sesame oil. Place sliced tofu (firm or extra firm) in this liquid and let it marinate for at least thirty minutes. Meanwhile, grease a cookie sheet and set the oven to 425 degrees. When the tofu has finished marinating, place it on the cookie sheet with sesame seeds sprinkled on top, and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the cookie sheet, and bake another fifteen minutes, adding more marinade if necessary.

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.

When you only ever serve veggie burgers with lettuce and tomato, or worse yet with only ketchup and mustard, they can quickly become boring. However, there are plenty of ways to dress them up. Lots of companies make a variety of flavors, including pizza flavor, spicy black bean, and even masala. Switching up the toppings is also helpful. You can try different things, like grilled onions and mushrooms, veggie bacon, or vegan cheese.

Cooking for a vegetarian diet can be tricky, but it does not have to be tedious. Have fun experimenting with new recipes and branching out beyond the usual garden veggie patties and plain tofu stir fry. Trying different seasonings and different forms of protein can take your vegetarian cooking to the next level. You will appreciate it, as will all of the people you cook for. Buy some cookbooks and create your own collection of your favorite recipes. Have fun experimenting with new things.




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