Vegetarians - Virtual Meal Plan Swap Meet

[bicker]

So we got back from Whole Foods yesterday afternoon and did some meal planning for the week.


We did find those sunshine burgers.... we'll try them tonight, with a salad.

Robbie's making her lentils and quinoa salad too.

We bought some asparagus, so we'll make a pasta salad with the asparagus, roasted with garlic, roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil, etc.

We also bought some cabbage to go with some veggie sausage that we've had in the freezer.

Finally, later in the week I'll pick up some tempe and making a tempe and broccoli stir-fry.


Next week, I think we're going to be making our first gazpacho of the summer.

 

[npmommie]

ooohh I am going to have to get some Sunshine Burgers!
bicker, do you go to the whole foods in Bedford?
your menu sounds good

the only thing I am sure I am making this week so far is the cauliflower cheese pie from the old moosewood cookbook, its not vegan but the kids love it.
I have to get my menu and grocery list together tomorrow, we were at the beach all day so i didn't get anything done.....LOL

 

[bicker]

I go to the Whole Foods in Bedford only when shopping on my way home from work. Otherwise, I go to the Whole Foods on the Woburn/Burlington line.

 

[Macca1111]

Next week, I think we're going to be making our first gazpacho of the summer.

oh, gazpacho! We need to make some of that too! My sister's been veggie for most of her life, and I generally only eat meat when I go out, but my parents were slow to it. They've been adjusting recently tho, to help out with cholesterol. Thusly, they're having a hard time finding the non-cheese based meals too. As easy as it is to eat well as a vegie, it's also really easy to eat really poorly. I'm enjoying the ideas on here too - two of my roommates are veggie as well, so it's always nice to find new dinner ideas.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Two of us are what I jokingly call "chickatarians"--meaning we do eat some poultry as well as fish. Two others eat everything. We rarely cook any meet at home, tending to eat that out. I try to have things my picky ten year old likes at least a few nights a week (but he often makes a PBJ or oatmeal for himself on other nights) so what we plan may not be as sophisticated in the taste department as the OP is looking for when feeding only adults (and we do eat eggs) but here is what we intend to have for this week (note: it is still pretty chilly here this year so we have some more "winter" recipes planned for the days with cooler weather predicted):

Monday: Pizza Night with spianch salad (homemade pizza light on the cheese)

Tuesday: "Moroccan sweet potatoes" I don't use a recipe, but I found this online and it is pretty similar:http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/moroccan-spiced-sweet-potato-medley-1617

Wenesday: Red Beans and Rice with corn bread. Fresh strawberries and whatever fresh veggie looks best at the market as sides.

Thursday:"Roasted Roots" (potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, turnips all tossed in olive oil and seasoning and roasted), fresh bread, baked beans, salad

Friday: Huevos rancheros with fruit salad

Saturday or Sunday (one will be a night out): make your own pasta bar

 

[emer95]

I am thrilled to find this thread! I am a vegetarian but my husband is not. One of my daughters seems to be leaning the veggie way. She's only 8, so I'm concerned about her getting proper nutrition. I don't have meal plans to contribute yet because I'm ridiculous and often get by with a bowl of cereal for dinner. I do have to share this link:

http:www.pioneerwoman.com

Her meals are by no means all vegetarian, but some of them are and they are fabulous! I made her pasta alla vodka for some friends this Friday and got rave reviews.

 

[quasar4legs]

During the summer my favourite thing to cook is stuffed zuchinni flowers.
If you eat cheese you could stuff them with a goats cheese, basil and pine nut mix. Coat in egg wash, roll in some polenta or breadcrumbs and shallow fry.

I've recently cut cheese out of my diet so I think the next time I make them I'll stuff them with some saffron rice and try baking them in the oven with just a spray of oil. I often serve them with some grilled tomato.

Serve with a big green salad. YUM.
Trish

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Yesterday my son made a vegan version of eggs benedict (from the wonderful Vegan Brunch cookbook). He marinated slices of tofu to create an "eggy" flavour and prepared an amazing vegan hollandaise sauce, then served it on toasted whole-grain English muffins. It was really good. We also steamed some asparagus and had the extra sauce on that.

Tonight we are probably going to just have a large main-dish salad - the boys are both running tonight (they're in one of those "learn to run" programs). We just make a big bowl of mixed greens, add cut up vegetables and fruit and drained, canned chickpeas and toasted almonds, and serve with a couple of choices of salad dressing. I will also make some no-knead whole wheat dinner rolls to go with it.

Teresa

 

[Planetsis]

I'd love to see some recipes for tofu marinades. Anybody got any to share?

 

[quasar4legs]

I'd love to see some recipes for tofu marinades. Anybody got any to share?

If I am baking tofu I usually just use tamari, lemonjuice a few drops of seseame oil. Leave it at least 3 hours or sometimes I do it overnight. It takes about an 45 to an hour to bake and I only turn it once while it is cooking.

Another marinade I use for baking tofu comes from the cookbook "the Artful Vegan" 3 tabsp each of tamari and mirin. 1 tablspoon seseame oil, 1/2 of five spice powder, 1/2 szechwan peppercorns toasted and ground (optional).

In the summer I like a refreshing marinade so often do something with the juice of mandarin or orange with a little bit of tamari, grated ginger and some garlic chives. I use this in a stirfry with some asian greens like Pakchoy, bokchoy etc.



Cheers
Trish

 

[Planetsis]

In the summer I like a refreshing marinade so often do something with the juice of mandarin or orange with a little bit of tamari, grated ginger and some garlic chives. I use this in a stirfry with some asian greens like Pakchoy, bokchoy etc.

Oooh, I like this idea. That would go great in a salad. Thanks!

 

[Plasticletters]

I find vegan "cheese" tends to be expensive and not all that tasty. I have found a vegan version of Parmesan cheese that is pretty good, and we'll sprinkle a little of that on pizza or pasta - not much, but it adds a nice tangy flavour. When I make lasagna, I make a middle layer of a somewhat "cheesey" sauce based on cashew butter and nutritional yeast (I'll dig up the recipe and post it if you like) and sprinkle a little of the vegan Parmesan on the top of the lasagna after cooking.

Teresa

I use nutritional yeast QUITE a bit as a "cheese replacement", most of the time just in its raw form.

It's actually fairly hard to find actual "vegan cheese". A lot of what is sold at grocery stores (even health food stores) as a "cheese replacement" isn't even vegan. Things like "Veggie Slices" and countless others have casein in them....making the whole product a rather redundant venture in my eyes.

I'm inclined to think people tend to obsess over protein WAY too much. There is some protein in practically everything!

I also agree with you 100% there. The main argument against vegetarianism (and veganism in particular) from many meat eaters is "How will you get your protein?" when they themselves don't realize how much excess protein they are consuming (if they are anything short of a record setting weight lifter or body builder).

 

[npmommie]

I found the Sunshine burgers today, i happened to be near an Adventist Book Center store, and they had them, I also got a celebration roast, anyone ever try one of these?
http://www.fieldroast.com/products.htm

 

[RachelEllen]

Typical Week for us (We also don't worry too much about protein)

Pasta with sauteed veggies - Saute chopped garlic in olive oil, add lightly steamed broccoli, carrots, pea pods, put over cooked pasta with some parm cheese.

Polenta Casarole - layer steamed sliced butternut squash, cooked polenta with fresh herbs, sauteed corn and roasted peppers, montery jack cheese. End with cheese and cook in hot oven. (this one is a pain to make, and I only do it on the days I'm not working, but its delish!)

Crepes - I love making fresh crepes. And its a lot easier than it sounds. We can fill them with fresh veggies. Or make a mixture of nonfat ricotta, peas, and parmesian

Frittata - Usually 2 whites for one yolk, but can be done yolk free.

Beans and rice. Husband likes the way he does this one, so I don't know what he adds!

And, on the lazy days - Trader Joes soup (usually tomato or sweet potato) with nonfat yogurt, fresh herbs, and some crackers!


For the baby, I grind up lentils and brown rice into a chunky powder and mix it in a 1:2 ratio. Once a week, I make porrage from the powder. She gets this for dinner with a little nutritional yeast and smushed up whatever veggie we are eating. That way, we know she gets her protein and micronutrients each day, so the rest of meals, she can have easy stuff like fruit, yogurt, veg peices, or even cheerios!

 

[Plasticletters]

I find most veggie "meats" distasteful. I don't want anything that tastes even vaguely of meat, and I also don't like the spongy texture of many fake meats.

I've also found that the "veggie meats" that don't TRY to taste like "the real thing" are the only ones I can really stomach. My general rule is that if I can tell what some of the ingredients are when I look at it (vegetables, beans or grains that still look like what they are) I'll try it. This has usually been the difference between "gross" and "acceptable" (or even "good"!)

 

[Plantlady]

Ohhh.. my kind of thread!

Here's a typical weeks worth of meals for us:

bean and cheese enchiladas, with rice
jambalaya with corn bread
vegetable soup or baked potato soup
Pasta with a red sauce (sometimes baked, sometimes not)
Pizza
Twice Baked Potatoes, with a side vegetable or salad
Stir Fry
Sandwiches.
Rice and beans
Chili

My mind has gone blank now. We have about 14 fail proof (the kids like them) meals that I rotate through. 99% of the meals prepared in the house are vegetarian. We try to add a new dish every week, to help them learn variety, and to GIVE us variety.

 

[npmommie]

ok, the Sunshine Burgers got 2 thumbs way DOWN in my house. No one liked them
oh well they were worth a try

 

[etoiles]

I'm heading to Disney in a few days!!! Any favorite vegetarian counter service meals??? I am not such a veggie burger fan but that seems to be the most common option.

 

[shortbun]

We toast a lot of nuts, use peas for some depth in things like brown rice. I use goat cheese a lot instead of hard cheeses-less fat and since it's creamy I use less. Goat cheese makes a great pasta sauce with capers, fresh basil, red peppers and reconstituted sun dried tomatoes that have been sauteed in olive oil with garlic and onions. I use a little of the water from the sun dried tomatoes instead of lots of olive oil in the pan to cook the peppers and capers. Then I mix it all into a pot of drained fettucini.

You asked for tofu marinades. My fav recently is the Trader Joe's General Tso's sauce.

We also like the Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs with pasta and traditional marinara.

 

[Planetsis]

ok, the Sunshine Burgers got 2 thumbs way DOWN in my house. No one liked them
oh well they were worth a try

We got a few different ones (original and garden) and tried the original. I really wasn't very impressed with them over any of the other ones we've tried. They were okay, but kinda soggy and didn't taste anything like meat (texture nor flavor). We'll try the garden ones next and see if that's any better. Those suckers are really high in calories. One patty is 190 calories, and that doesn't include some of the others like the southwest and barbeque ones which are even more calories.