Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Garden Veggie Patties And More: Cooking Ideas For Vegetarians

By Marissa Velazquez


One of the most difficult things about vegetarian cooking can be creating variety. People often get caught in the rut of simply recycling the same garden veggie patties and stir fried tofu with no flavor. However, it doesn't have to be this way. There are a lot of different sources of protein and varieties of flavor that can be included in your diet without using meat. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

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.

This recipe presents you with choices, including the type of beans you choose (I like blackeye peas, black beans, and small red beans), whether they are dried or canned, and whether you use white rice or brown rice. If you use dried beans, you will need to plan ahead, as they need to be cooked before you begin this recipe. Either way, you want to start your rice cooking first. Then, saute a diced onion, some minced cloves of garlic, and a few carrots in olive oil. Add the beans and bring to a boil, then cook on low for about 15 minutes. Serve over rice, and sprinkle cheese on top.

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

Tofu can be bland if it is prepared improperly, but it all depends on the seasoning. It is usually best if marinated. Extra firm tofu works best for baking. To make a marinade, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, water, minced fresh ginger and minced fresh garlic, and 1 and 1/4 tablespoons of sesame oil. Cut the tofu into slices, and let it sit for at least thirty minutes in the marinade. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, and lightly grease a cookie sheet. When the tofu is finished marinating, place it on the cookie sheet and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Bake for thirty minutes, and then turn the cookie sheet around. Drizzle with extra marinade if necessary, and bake for another fifteen minutes.

Veggie Burgers With Flair will make your kids excited for their meal. Make it even more fun with a creative side dish!

Just like regular hamburgers, veggie patties are not very exciting when they are served with only ketchup and mustard or lettuce and tomato. However, there are manny ways to spice them up. One way is to try new flavors, like spicy bean burgers, mushroom burgers, or even more exotic flavors like masala. Adding different toppings is fun too. Try spicy pickles, grilled onions, or a cabbage slaw. You could even make a vegetarian "bacon cheeseburger, " using veggie bacon and, if you are vegan, dairy-free 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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