Dating a vegetarian...

[chave982]

So I just started dating a vegetarian. I'm a meat lover and she knows that, and she's fine with it, as long as I don't force it onto her. Only problem is, I want to be able to cook dinners for us that we can both eat.

My question is, what's the best resource for vegetarian recipes? I'm hoping on finding sites that actually have user-submitted reviews and things like that.

Thanks for the help!

 

[kitchenelf]

Check out our site here under Health and Nutrition and also check out our Vegetable Forum. It has lots of recipes. Also, just do a google search for Vegetarian Recipes - that should keep you buys for awhile! lol

Also, you might just find yourself eating less meat and truly enjoying a different way of eating/cooking. But, on occasion, there's nothing better than a good hunk of rare beef!

 

[keltin]

This reminds me of that movie “Pulp Fiction” when Samuel L. Jackson’s character says “My girlfriend is a vegetarian which pretty much makes me a vegetarian too”.

I had some friends that were vegetarians, and they loved the large Portobello mushrooms caps . They called them the “steak of the vegetarian”. They would make all kinds of great recipes using the caps as if they were steak or hamburger patties.

I’ve also seen a really great recipe for a “Bean Burger” that looks good, and I’m a die-hard meat eater.

 

[keltin]

Thinking of that bean burger made me curious again.

One way is here.


Another here.


Yet another.


And here’s one with sweet potatoes.

 

[redkitty]

HA! I'm a veggie and my husband is a Brit meat lover! We get on just fine since he is willing to eat my fabulous veggie dishes and I don't care that he eats meat! (Although I wont cook it for him)

I would suggest visiting a few veg cooking sites Vegan / Vegetarian Recipes and More for the Vegan Diet and Lifestyle is a favorite, lots of user reviews. You can also find good stuff on epicurious.com and allrecipes.com. But mostly I use about 5 different cookbooks I have invested in. I also have about 6 favorite veggie food blogs that I use often. I'll post some links for you later!

And I agree that Portabello's are very steak like, I cook with them weekly! Beans and lentils are great, also dishes with brown rice or quinoa. You can make your meat separate and have the same sides together. Tofu stir frys are a favorite of mine and my meat loving husband!

 

[redkitty]

Here are some of my favorite veggie blogs where you can get some great recipes...

A Veggie Venture | Vegetable inspiration from Asparagus to Zucchini

Fatfree Vegan Kitchen

vegalicious - delicious vegan food and more

101 Cookbooks - Recipe Journal

That should get you started!

 

[Caine]

Get your hands around an authentic southwestern Indian cookbook. I recommend Grains, Greens, and Grated Coconuts By Ammini Ramachandran. The vegetable curries alone will add significant spice to your life.

 

[jpmcgrew]

This is a great one even if you eat meat you can use it to make the dishes and then just cook a side of meat for yourself it has pasta dishes,pizzas,salads soups,grains,curries etc. You can look inside this book and read contents,index or a surprise page.

www.amazon.com/Fields-Greens-Vegetarian-Celebrated-Restaurant/dp/0553091395

 

[BreezyCooking]

Since my husband doesn't eat any red-meat products (just seafood & poultry), we also eat quite a bit of vegetarian dishes. Have also had a number of vegetarian friends over the years, which can make planning an interesting dinner party challenging. Anyway, if you have an Asian market near you, this is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes. And it can be paired easily with other vegetarian Asian dishes, like Thai spicy peanut-sauced noodles, vegetarian fried rice, etc., etc., for a real Asian feast.


BABY CORN AND MOCK ABALONE

Adapted From Madame Chu’s Chinese Cooking School by Grace Zia Chu


Ingredients:

6 dried or fresh Shitake mushrooms
1 teaspoon dried Cloud Ears (optional)
1 can Mock Abalone or other canned gluten product
2 ounces fresh snow peas
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 small zucchini squash, cut in oblique pieces **
½ teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 can whole baby corn
½ a red bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons water

Preparation:

If using dried mushrooms & cloud ears, soak in warm water for 20-30 minutes, rinse thoroughly, drain, remove stems & cut into quarters. If using fresh mushrooms, rinse thoroughly, remove stems, & cut into quarters.

Wash snow peas, string, & cut into 1” pieces.

Cooking Procedure:

Heat oil in large skillet or wok. Add mushrooms & stir fry for 30 seconds. Add gluten & cloud ears (if using) & stir. Add zucchini, sugar, & soy sauce. Mix, then add baby corn & mix again. Add 2 tablespoons water & cook for 2 minutes, uncovered. Add snow peas & red pepper. Thicken with the predissolved cornstarch (stirred again to make sure the water & cornstarch are thoroughly mixed) & serve hot over rice.

Variation:

To give this dish more of a Szechuan character, add a teaspoon or more of Chili-Garlic Paste to taste, along with the snow peas & red pepper.


** To cut obliquely – slice, then give vegetable a quarter turn & slice again, etc., etc. This opens up more of the vegetable’s cooking surface.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Oh, & as far as good vegetarian cookbooks - I have quite a large collection of them, most gleaned from good old Border's Books. They have quite a few in their discount section at more than reasonable prices that are definitely worth the few $$. Their collection of discount ethnic cookbooks also have a fabulous number of vegetarian recipes - many, if not all, quite "date-worthy".

 

[Green Lady]

The gal you are dating is very fortunate to have you - you are very considerate of her preferences!

 

[Claire]

I've found myself in situations where there was a vegan in the group. I just try to make sure there is at least one dish on the table that she can eat (it is always a woman for some reason). As far as a simple vegetarian, for the most part you can simply omit meat from many recipes. For example, stroganof can be made with just mushrooms, chili can be made with beans, etc.

 

[Treklady]

What I find (In the experiences with my vegetarian daughter), is that many people are so set in their ways that they can't think outside of their cooking boxes.

Most people think if the dish does not physically contain meat that it is a vegetarian dish. Case in point. My daughter and I were watching the Food Network and our ears perked up when we heard that one of the cooks was making an authentic bean soup. Wow, that was right up our alley. It was loaded with plenty of good veggies, spices, and 2 kinds of beans. But lo and behold, she added chicken broth. So much for being a vegetarian dish.

I think people are just so set in their ways that just can't see the forest for the trees. And truth be told, it is not that difficult to be a vegetarian or to cook for one. My daughter will soon be 14 and trust me when I tell you she is not hurting for anything in the nutritional world. Her diet is varied and pocked with veggies (she does not like fruit...freak). And when she does do sleep overs, I have to call and ask what they are serving. One mother said I made rice, and I asked what was her liquid she cooked it in and she said beef broth. I told her then, that my daughter would not eat it. so she concocted some dish with no meat.

Would it truly hurt anyone to go a day with no meat. I know someone people who have tried it and say that they just could not go with out meat. Is it because you can't or won't. Remember, there is a difference. Just like what do we want or what we need. Big difference.

I applaud anyone who tries to accommodate vegetarians. I know they walk to the beat of a different drummer. But take chances, go outside your comfort zone. Try a new dish, even if you totally mess it up. The vegetarian will see the effort and be appreciative.

If you can't already tell, I am passionate about this. Because I am my daughters voice. She is too shy to defend herself and what she believes in. I am trying to show her that she can still be confident in her choices and am arming her with the right ammunition to those who ridicule her about her choices...and yes she is widely ridiculed.

I'm sorry that this turned into a rant, but there is nothing worse that seeing your child being picked on for a very mature choice they made. Thanks to all of you meat eaters who serve more than just a can of green beans and call that your vegetable of the day. *Tips hat*

 

[BreezyCooking]

Here's another of my favorite vegetarian recipes (although it won't work for vegans). It's fancy enough for company, non-vegetarians adore it, & it's fast & easy.

Mushroom Stroganoff (adapted from "The Vegetarian Epicure, Book Two")

1/4# fresh Shitake mushrooms
1/4# fresh Oyster mushrooms
1/4# fresh Cremini or Baby Portobello mushrooms
1/2# fresh White Button mushrooms
1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
Pinch of dried thyme
Salt to taste
Fresh-ground black pepper
1-1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
8-ounce container sour cream
2 tablespoons brandy
1/4-cup dry sherry
1# or so of wide egg noodles
2-3 teaspoons poppy seeds
Butter to toss with egg noodles

Cook noodles according to package directions, drain, & toss with a few tablespoons of butter & the poppyseeds. Cover & set aside.

Wash the mushrooms thoroughly under running water, trim, (removing any tough stems), & slice thickly. In a large skillet, saute onion in the 4 tablespoons butter until transparent, then add mushrooms & continue cooking until they have released their excess moisture & it's starting to evaporate. Add thyme, chicken broth, & 3 tablespoons of the sour cream, lower heat, & simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring often. Add brandy, sherry, salt & pepper to taste, & the rest of the sour cream, stirring gently just until sour cream is heated thru. Do not overheat or sauce will curdle, but this is just an appearance issue & won't affect the taste. Taste & correct seasoning if necessary.

Serve over noodles with a green salad on the side. Although the sour cream "might" curdle a little, leftovers are just as tasty nuked in the microwave for lunch the next day.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Here's another one (can you tell I love mushrooms? Lol!!) that's really just a simpler interpretation of the previous one, but with a totally different flavor.

MUSHROOMS PAPRIKASH (adapted from "365 Ways To Cook Vegetarian")

6 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped
1 pound fresh White Button mushrooms, washed, trimmed, & thickly sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon paprika
salt to taste
8-ounce container sour cream
12-16 ounces wide egg noodles
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cook egg noodles according to package directions, drain, toss with butter, & set aside.

In a large frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion & cook until "just" beginning to brown. Add mushrooms & continue cooking until mushrooms release liquid & it begins to evaporate. Add tomato paste, paprika, salt, & garlic. Lower heat, stir, & simmer until well blended & heated through. Stir in sour cream & continue stirring until just heated thru & remove from heat. Serve over noodles, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Yet another of our favorites that tastes as though it took a lot more work & time than it did. What's great about this one is that it tastes as good at room temp as it does steaming hot. A green salad & some good crusty bread is all you need with this.

POTATOES ITALIANO BAKE (adapted from "365 Ways To Cook Vegetarian")

1 6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 24-ounce or so package frozen Potatoes O'Brien (frozen diced potatoes mixed with onion & peppers), thawed
2-3 sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, or dried & reconstituted - chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
8-ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1 egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving marinade. Coarsely dice artichokes. In a large frying pan, heat artichoke marinade over medium heat. Add onion & cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in thawed potato mixture, sun-dried tomatoes, & diced artichoke hearts. Remove from heat & let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in salt, cayenne pepper, mozzarella, & egg. Scrape mixture into a generously greased 2-quart baking dish & cover tightly with foil.

Bake 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender & casserole is piping hot. Remove foil & bake until lightly browned on top. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving. If served hot, can be spooned out; if at room temp can be cut into squares.

 

[BreezyCooking]

Another favorite vegetarian product of ours is the "Frieda's" brand called "Soyrizo". It's a soy-based chorizo sausage that is really hot, spicy, & delicious. We've used it as a taco filling, & in frittatas, etc., etc.

If you log on to the "Frieda's" website, they have lots & lots of great recipes for using their vegetarian products, including their chorizo. (The frittata recipe is great!).

 

[redkitty]

Treklady, it's great to see you defend your daughters choices. Although, it's unfortunate that you have to. My parents finally gave up on the constant question of "but how do you get protein?"

Breezy, some yummy recipes you posted there!

 

[Robo410]

rather than suffer through another balsa wood loaf, or a dinner of soggy sides, go ethnic...Asian from the middle east to the far east...wonderful spicy couscous, falafel, hummus,to Thai curries and Indian dahls, and Chinese stir fries. Many Italian and Greek dishes can be made with eggplant rather than meat. Any really good cutting edge fusion cuisine source will have numerous fine veggie dishes. And of course good ole American chili can be vegan and wonderful ( or down right awful depending on the recipe)

 

[Green Lady]

Treklady- you are so right on when you asked if it is so hard for someone to go without meat for a day. I was vegan for a few years and then vegetarian. I have since added chicken/turkey to my diet. I don't do pork/ham products, beef,seafood or fish. Well, last night we got-together with a few friends to touch base and everyone brought something for dinner. There was coleslaw on the table so I helped myself to some. I noticed something pinkish in it, tiny little tidbits. I wondered if it was ham or bacon but figured not in coleslaw. I took one bite and discreetly spit it out. Sure enough, it was ham. I thought to myself can't someone do a coleslaw without putting meat in it? I never before saw meat in coleslaw. At the same potluck, someone made pasta salad with ham cubes in it. Give me a break! Ugh!!

Robo410 is right about going ethnic. More veggie main course selections, more interesting, too, I think. I make tacos for my family and just substitute walnut pieces that have been sauteed in EVOO with some chili powder in liew of the ground beef. Some people substitute seasoned pinto beans for the beef.