Wanted: Good vegetarian recipes

[CDNSushi]

Summer is kicking our butts this year! Japan is in a serious energy crisis after March 11, and the current power grid is at just over 90% capacity... Which means everyone is being told to cut back power usage. Here in Yamanashi it's a matter of policy, but nearer to Tokyo, it's mandated that businesses, public offices, and schools that don't reduce their power consumption by 15% will face massive fines. But I digress.

Since we are saving power, we're not running the aircon at home much, and I've found that on HOT, HOT days like this, meaning 36C / 97F (that are near 100% humidity), I've completely lost my appetite for meat. So for the past two weeks we've been eating lots of vegetarian dishes.

Now, I've never been a vegetarian, and I've made it through 30-something years of my life, pretty much eating meat at EVERY meal without exception, so now when I want to try something different, I'm at a bit of a loss. All of my cookbooks and recipes involve meat in some way, and though I've done alright for the past two weeks, I'm starting to run low on good ideas.

I would really appreciate being able to expand my meatless dish horizons with any contributions from the rabble. Links to websites are cool, and if you happen to have any pictures of the dish (in addition to the recipe), that's even better! The only guideline that I would kindly ask, is to not include recipes involving commercially sold meat substitutes (like tofurkey, veggie burgers (that you buy pre-made), TVP/TSP, Quorn, etc...) mainly because I can't buy that stuff around here very commonly.

For the record though, last week I made a fantastic gaspacho, and I found an awesome recipe for "creamy taco mac." http://www.crumblycookie.net/2011/06...eamy-taco-mac/. <-- That's my contribution, right there... ;-)

[azwildcat96]

Sorry CDN, I can't help with the vege recipies, but when you return to the dark side, try this...

[kiltedwolfman]

Start with 4 slices of bacon.....whoops, start with a diced onion and then 4 slices of bacon, oh yeah vegetarisomethingorother...okay munch on an apple while dicing an onion and fishing 4 slices of bacon out of the chill chest.

Dang I just can't do vegetariwhatchamacallit! But best of luck getting some good recipes anyhow ;)

[CDNSushi]

Har, har! Very funny, you two. I'm not abandoning meat -- I'm expanding my horizons.

Tell you what. I'll make you a deal: you try a couple of vegetarian dishes, and I'll invite you over when I make Turducken!

[azwildcat96]

Har, har! Very funny, you two. I'm not abandoning meat -- I'm expanding my horizons.

Tell you what. I'll make you a deal: you try a couple of vegetarian dishes, and I'll invite you over when I make Turducken!

Turducken...You've got a deal!

[Duke of Delrio]

I fear I cannot help you here. I eat very few vegetables. I have a horse that does that for me.

[Mikilt]

This is no "great chieftan of the pudding race". But perhaps it's what you seek?

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
5 fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
1 cup vegetable broth
1/3 cup dry red lentils
2 tablespoons canned kidney beans - drained, rinsed, and mashed
3 tablespoons ground peanuts
2 tablespoons ground hazelnuts
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice
1 egg, beaten
1 1/3 cups steel cut oats

Directions

Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat, and saute the onion 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in carrot and mushrooms, and continue cooking 5 minutes. Stir in broth, lentils, kidney beans, peanuts, hazelnuts, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Season with thyme, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and mixed spice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in oats, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 5x9 inch baking pan.
Stir the egg into the saucepan. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Bake 30 minutes, until firm.

[Droid]

Let me talk to my lady when I get home from work today. She is vegan (most of the time) and works some wonders in the kitchen.

[Cynthia]

Not sure if you've thought of this option... Raw Vegan?

I just found this website online, so I'm not familiar with which is the best one -- my husband did more reading up on this subject because he wanted to try it (we have been vegetarian for two years or so and vegan for ten years or so). I enjoyed it, but too much of it upsets my stomach. Still... some of the recipes look yummy, and I would love to add some back into my diet (we've been more vegetarian the past year and want to go more vegan again with our diet). I thought of this because of the heat and energy conservation point you mentioned.

Anyway, try doing some searches for raw vegan recipes. See if there's anything yummy on a site like this: http://goneraw.com/

[fluter]

This is dead easy, but delicious for summer. I just adopted it from a Ravelry colleague, for a picnic last month.

Boil small red bliss or yukon potatoes, and cool. Slice into small rounds and arrange on a plate. Top with chopped basil, lemon zest, crumbled blue cheese, and green onions or shallot rounds. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, salt and pepper.

On my first try, I had the lazy (and lacked lemons) so gave a sprinkle of lemon juice instead of lemon zest. A bit of fresh parsley is good. I also substitute rice vinegar for the balsamic, for a milder version. Don't overdo the bleu cheese, especially with stronger flavored ones, as some folks may find it too rich. You can always add some more to your serving (I do).

Lots of variations possible. For a larger quantity, build in layers in a large bowl; optionally toss before serving.