Wanted: Good vegetarian recipes

[Chirs]

My current favourite meatless meal would be dal bhat although I always like onigiri, mostly for its versatility. (When oiling your hands to form the onigiri add a drop of sesame oil.) Congee is another dish that has endless possibilities. (I make mine plain, without chicken stock, and allow all the interest to come from the side dishes. Japanese pickles are always good with it.)

Dal
1c red lentils (masur dal)
4c water
1" cinnamon stick
1 or 2 bay leaves
1tsp salt

Put all but the salt in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, then simmer for 25min, skimming off the foam, until the dal is tender and the mix is soupy. Stir in the salt. (Notice that you are not draining the water. If need be, boil a bit longer until you have what looks like lumpy pea soup. The dal should be soft but not completely mush.)

2Tbsp veg oil or ghee
1/2tsp black mustard seed
1tsp cumin seed (whole, not ground)
1Tbsp dried curry leaves, crumbled
1Tbsp minced garlic
1c chopped onion (the finer the better)
pinch of hing (asafetida powder)
1tsp cayenne pepper
1/4c fresh cilantro (for dressing when serving)

Using a heavy pan, heat the ghee to high temperature and add the mustard seeds. Keep stirring so they don't burn until they start to pop (it won't be long) then add the cumin and curry leaves. Stir for about 30 seconds, until the aroma becomes obvious, then add the garlic and onions and lower the heat to medium. Keep stirring for 2 or 3 minutes then add the hing and cayenne. Keep stirring for another 2 or 3 minutes, until the onion is tender and just starting to brown.

If you've done this while the dal has been cooking, when the dal is done, stir the onion mix in with the dal and serve in a rice bowl topped with some chopped cilantro beside another bowl of rice.

I'll make this for supper tonight and take a picture, if you like.

[kc8ufv]

I don't have the recipe, but my grandma frequently makes taco salad without the meat when we get togeather for father's day. Half the time it seems accidental, other times it seems intentional. It doesn't really taste that much different without the meat the way she makes it. Either way, it's better (from a food safety perspective) than with the meat when it will be sitting out for hours.

Seperately, various types of pizza are good. I like a veggie pizza. IIRC, you take a pizza crust, mix ranch dressing with sour cream (to thicken the dressing), and top with a variety of veggies - carrots, broccoli, coliflour.... Put it in the fridge for a bit to set, and serve cold.

[CDNSushi]

Thanks, guys... Keep 'em coming. I like the dhal recipe, Chris. I've made dhal on many occasions in the past, and every recipe for it is just a wee bit different. It's one of those Indian dishes where every Indian mother has the best recipe for it... :-D

Cynthia: I'll try that garbanzo salad. I love garbanzo beans! So versatile...

[Cynthia]

Cynthia: I'll try that garbanzo salad. I love garbanzo beans! So versatile...

I hope you like it! That's the dish we tend to bring to parties and gatherings, and our non-veg friends love it.

Do you have quinoa in your area? Thought I'd ask while I'm thinking up recipes. That's another versatile ingredient.

I'm trying to think of things that might not require a lot of cooking to help conserve energy as well as keep things cool.

Best wishes!

[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.

[kiltedwolfman]

If all goes as planned CDN I'll be in Nippon in March doing some training and sightseeing. I'll be sure to let you know when to get the turducken ready!

[CDNSushi]

If all goes as planned CDN I'll be in Nippon in March doing some training and sightseeing. I'll be sure to let you know when to get the turducken ready!

Not so fast, buster! First we got to get you try some vegetarian dishes!

But in all seriousness, make sure you give me a heads-up when you roll into town. If we are here and available, I'd love to see you again!