What is Meatless Monday? Click here to find out about the international movement to get people to eat vegetarian just one day per week. Simply put, it’s better for the environment, better for your health, and better for your wallet too. You might even like it so much you’ll start going meatless when it’s not even Monday.
Two weeks ago, when I offered up our favorite quick and easy vegetarian staples, many of you wrote in with your favorites as well. So I’ve decided to make this a regular series. First, I’ll tell you more of our easy vegetarian meals. Then, I’ll share some reader suggestions that sound delicious.
Here are a few more of our favorites:
1. Vegetables and rice. A staple from back in college. Saute your favorite vegetables (I usually use broccoli, mushroom, and carrots) with garlic, ginger, and a little soy sauce. Serve over brown rice and top with grated cheese.
2. Quiche. Mushroom and spinach is a favorite, but asparagus, zucchini, and broccoli are all good.
3. Veggie burgers. The options are endless here: make your own, go with the traditional Garden Burger brand, or try one of many Trader Joe’s varieties. Our current favorite is called Vegetable Masala Burger, with Indian spices.
4. Southwest salad. Toss romaine lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, cilantro, corn, jicama, and pepper jack cheese (or as many of those ingredients as you have) with ranch dressing. Top with tortilla strips (or crumbled chips) and avocado.
5. Tarts. Tomato tarts are delicious, but you can get more adventurous and try mushroom, onion, or any other vegetable that’s in season.
6. Vegetarian chili. Use chilis and add black beans and kidney beans to chili beans. Make it spicy or mild to your taste. Corn is another good addition.
And here are some reader suggestions:
7. Chickpea fritters. Try this link suggested by Betsy at Married With Luggage. She likes them served over green beans with yogurt sauce. You can make almost anything into patties, fritters or burgers. Click here to try The Frugal Girl’s zucchini patties, which I just wrote about a few days ago. They’re delicious. And “Tango Goddess” says she keeps veggie, garbanzo, and black bean burgers in the freezer for an easy delicious meal.
8. Hodge Podge. This original recipe comes from Olivia who lives in Atlantic Canada. She says to boil fresh vegetables (potatoes, carrots, and beans were what she had on the stove that day) and then spoon in the traditional butter and cream, or her preference of cream cheese. Add fresh herbs, salt and pepper, and you’ve made Hodge Podge. I can’t wait to try it!
9. Baked portobello mushrooms. Ellen from Within My Means offers this simple option: drizzle portobellos with olive oil and balsamic, top with cheese, cherry tomatoes and bread crumbs, and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.
10. Farfalle pasta. And this simple pasta recipe is a favorite of “saymoi.” Toss pasta with Muir Glen crushed tomatoes, garlic, and white beans. Add chopped fresh basil and goat cheese at the end.
Readers, thanks for all your terrific suggestions! These are the kinds of meals that don’t require expensive ingredients or complicated recipes, but have become staples over the years for their simplicity and deliciousness.
What are your favorite meatless meals? Just a few ingredients, something simple you can describe in one or two sentences. The sort of thing I’ve been listing here. Please share them in the Comments section.
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