Saturday, January 11, 2014

Garden Veggie Patties And More: Cooking Ideas For Vegetarians

By Marissa Velazquez


Many people are aware of the health benefits of removing meat from their diets, but many people are also afraid to make the switch to vegetarian eating. A lot of people think of vegetarian food as boring. They picture only bland tofu, flavorless stir-fry, and garden veggie patties on dry whole wheat bread. People also worry about getting enough protein from a diet that does not include meat. However, there are many ways to include that important protein in your meal and also get some variety in the flavors and textures of your food. Below are a few recipe ideas to try.

Cheesy Rice and Beans can be cooked quickly, and the preparation is not complicated. It is also a great meal for people or families on a tight budget, as it costs very little and can last for a few meals.

Boil rice as directed on package. You can use either white or brown rice. White rice will absorb the flavor of the beans better, but brown rice has a higher fiber content. Start your rice first, because it will take about 20 minutes to cook. In a separate pot, sautee 1 small onion, a few minced cloves of garlic, and one or two carrots, diced. Add a can of black or small red beans, or blackeyed peas, and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and cook until carrots have reached the tenderness you prefer. Serve over rice, and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Tofu With Ginger Marinade can be prepared in a few simple steps. Also, you won't be left with a sink full of dishes when you're finished cooking.

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.

Dressing Up Your Garden Veggie Patties is one way to get kids excited about them. Another idea is to add a fun side dish, like veggies and dip or baked potatoes.

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.

These recipe ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless vegetarian recipes and meal ideas available; vegetarian cooking goes way beyond garden veggie patties. Have some fun looking for new ideas. Build your own recipe collection from things you find in cookbooks or on the internet. The people you cook for will appreciate the new ideas as much as you will. Make vegetarian cooking an adventure!




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