What are five good beginner vegetarian recipes?

[josey_maverick]

And I don't mean salad. I'm wanting to cook more for my friends and family, but I'm not sure where to start. I'd like some good recipes that aren't like cheap knockoffs of other foods but are still a full meal. So, if someone knows five great items, i'd be grateful.

 

[Chelsea]

Burrito Bowl
1. Make white or brown rice.
2. Fry black beans and corn together with chili powder, cumin, turmeric, crushed black pepper, and onion to taste. Por this onto the rice.
3. Top with your favorite salsa, along with cheese and lettuce if you'd prefer.


My Favorite Stir Fry
1. Fry broccoli florets and sliced carrots in garlic butter until tender. (Or 1 tbs water and minced garlic if you're watching your weight.)
2. Add baby corn spears and your favorite stir fry sauce. (I prefer House of Tsang Classic.)
3. Meanwhile, make udon or soba noodles, egg noodles, or rice.
4. Add stir fry noodles/rice to stir fry and toss to coat.
5. Top with peanuts and enjoy.


Mediterranean Wraps (or Pita Pockets)
1. Gather a few of your favorite Mediterranean (peppers, squashes, snow peas, potatoes, garlic, onions, etc). Wash and slice them.
2. Put them in a container and add olive oil and Italian seasonings. (I just buy an Italian seasonings grinder, but feel free to improvise.) Toss to coat. Bake, covered, at 350 until tender. The timing depends on what veggies you choose, but it should be between 20 and 45 minutes.
3. Remove from oven and put in wraps, pitas, or serve with spaghetti and garlic bread.


Veggie Chili
1. Heat either tomato juice or chunky style tomato sauce, depending on how thick you want your chili.
2. Add beans and select veggies (frozen bags of veggie soup veggies work well). Optional: add tempeh or TVP ground beef replacer.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, turmeric, and any other spices you'd like.
4. Simmer and serve with corn bread, on fries, or on tofu dogs.


Rice Pilaf
1. Prepare vegetarian friendly rice pilaf. (I use Near East.)
2. Steam broccoli, and tofu if you'd like.
3. Combine, and top with slivered almonds or pine nuts if you're feeling fancy.


A Vegetarian's Steak Dinner
1. Grill or sautee a portabella mushroom cap with minced garlic, sea salt, crushed black pepper, and soy sauce.
2. Serve with a baked potato and green vegetables.


For a super-light dinner . . .
1. Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Add baby spinach.
2. Toss with fresh lemon juice and fresh basil. Serve fresh.
OR
2. Toss with olive oil, garlic crushed black pepper. Bake at 350 until warm.
3. Serve with whole wheat toast and avocado slices.

Each of these dishes is fairly cheap, so long as you already have the spices. If you don't, feel free to improvise with what you do have. If you're in a hurry, try buying a bag of mized frozen veggies and a bag of dried beans. You can prepare these and throw them in with pasta, topped with butter, olive oil, or pasta sauce. Also try them stir fried with rice, or on a bed of quino or amaranth.


Tofu scramble
press a block of tofu. Lightly coat a large skillet with oil, and heat on high. Crumble the tofu over the skillet and stir continuosly. Sprinkle with a small amount of soy sauce. Add black pepper, onion powder, garlic, chili powder, and cumin to taste. Add turmeric until desired color is achieved. Continue cooking until heated through.

Meanwhile, heat another skillet with oil and add two to three potatoes sliced into small cubes. Add crushed black pepper and onion to taste. Fry over medium heat until golden brown. (feel free to add other veggies, but fry them separately from the tofu.) Stir in with the tofu and eat, or store in an sealed container in the fridge to reheat and eat later.