Vegetarian Italian - Delicious Options For Meat Lovers

Everyone agrees that eating less meat is healthier -- for you, for your pocketbook, for the planet. But I've tried to adopt vegetarianism and found it doesn't work for me. I never really feel good on a 100% vegetarian diet.

I believe that each body is different, and that some people simply need meat protein. So how do you balance that need with your desire for a healthier lifestyle?

Meat Casseroles

One excellent answer is centuries old -- vegetarian Italian cuisine! Since Roman times, Italian food has mainly focused on eggs, cheese, bread, olives and fresh seasonal vegetables. The Romans reserved meat and fish for special occasions.

As time went on, however, meat-eating became a privilege of the wealthy. Country folk continued to grow their own food, and usually raised cattle as a source of milk and cheese, not meat.

In the 1980s, Italy gave birth to the international Slow Food movement, which strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine, and promotes farming methods in line with the local ecosystem.

These things, and more, have contributed to a culinary tradition rich in meatless options.

So why not go beyond pizza and pasta, and try one unusual vegetarian Italian dish this week? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Polenta

A strange but yummy cornmeal porridge that's easy to make. A cousin to American grits, polenta is a staple in northern Italy and makes a satisfying winter meal. You can find it in most grocery stores, with directions on the package.

A soft mound of polenta can be the base for cooked greens, sauteed portabello mushrooms or any vegetable. It can also be baked in a loaf pan, then thinly sliced. Sliced polenta can replace bread or lasagna as a base for almost any filling, including pesto, mozzarella, tomato sauce and roasted peppers.

Risotto

A delicious creamy rice dish that can be enhanced with almost any vegetable. It must be made from Arborio rice, which can be found in most grocery stores. Risotto has a reputation for being tricky, but the new oven-baked and crockpot methods are almost effortless. Favorite vegetarian additions include asparagus, mushrooms and artichoke hearts (frozen work fine). Butter and freshly-grated parmesan cheese add flavor and texture.

Toward a More Creative Cuisine

My purpose is not to convert you to vegetarianism, but to inspire you to eat more creatively. I do recommend eating bread, butter and cheese in moderation, and as close to homemade as you can find. Avoid low-fat versions. Try fresh mozzarella, the type that comes in water. Frequent artisan bakeries and farmers' markets. Eat vegetables in season, not those flown in from the opposite hemisphere.

When you concentrate on fresh, whole, local ingredients, you'll discover that your cravings for fat and sugar decline. Centuries of eating this way can't be wrong!

Vegetarian Italian - Delicious Options For Meat Lovers

Elle B. blogs about her love affair with rustic Italian cuisine at Vegetarian Italian: Recipes from a Meat Lover's Cucina. Curious about polenta? See recipes and photos here.

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Recipe Ideas For Cheese Lovers

Do you sometimes get a severe hankering for something gooey and cheesy? Cheese is a very versatile component for both meals and snacks. Whether you want a warm cheesy dish to chase away the winter chill, or a chilled hunk of cheese straight-up on a warm spring day, there are plenty of recipes to satisfy your craving. In this article, we're going to list three great recipes that are sure to leave you with a happy tummy!

Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Meat Casseroles

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
2 oz of mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon chicken flavored bouillon
1 teaspoon parsley
1/4 cup of fine breadcrumbs
1 medium beaten egg
salt and pepper to taste

Make a long incision in each chicken breast and sprinkle the mozzarella inside. Secure the incision with a toothpick or string. Place the chicken breasts into a baking dish and brush each piece with the beaten egg. Mix the remaining ingredients together and sprinkle over the chicken. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees F.

Cheddar Ball

2 (8 ounce) blocks of cream cheese
1/2 cups relish
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar
2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (slivered almonds work especially well)

Mix together everything but the nuts. Shape the mass into a ball and roll in the nuts so that it is completely coated. Place in an air-tight container or wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Cheddar 'n Crab Meat Casserole

12 oz Crab meat
3 oz grated cheddar
3/4 cup skimmed milk powder
3 tablespoons of plain flour
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1 cup water

In a small pot mix the flour, mustard and milk powders, and salt and pepper. Add the water slowly - be sure to mix continuously as the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Add the crab meat. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F until thoroughly cooked.

Cheese on Toast with a Twist

Toast
Grated Mozzarella
1 Slice of Swiss or Muenster Cheese
4 (Thin) Slices of Turkey or Ham Sandwich Meat
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Make toast to a medium brown in the toaster. Top with Swiss/Muenster slice, meat, salt and pepper, and top with sprinkled mozzarella. Heat in a toaster oven (or a regular oven if you're willing to wait a bit) until cheese is melted and starts to brown.

Just give these recipes a try and you'll soon find yourself in a heaven of cheesy goodness! Thanks for reading!

Recipe Ideas For Cheese Lovers

If you're looking for recipes, take a look at the Platinum Recipes Collection.
The Platinum Recipes Collection is the Internet's Most Comprehensive Recipes Collection.

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Vegetarian Vs Meat Lovers

Non-vegetarians may find it fascinating how some people are able to give up meat and become accustomed to an entirely different lifestyle. The truth is vegetarians make that switch for quite a number of sensible reasons.

Most vegetarians claim that most of them have chosen to make the switch to a meat-free diet for at least one out of three reasons.

Meat Casseroles

The first and most common reason is that there are various ethical problems that arise from eating meat. Most people may think that debeaking chickens, forcing them to live in small cages, and slaughtering them when they don't produce eggs fast enough is inhumane.

Most vegetarians also find it bothersome to have animals live in such crowded and stressful environments. The fact that most of these animals are fed with hormone-laden feed doesn't help either.

People who become vegetarians because of this often draw ethical boundaries at different points, depending on their ethical beliefs. For example, some vegans will not even eat yeast, wear wool, or eat certain vegetables like carrots, which require killing the plant to harvest.

On the other hand, some vegans, also referred to as pseudo-vegans, actually think that it's okay to eat fish and chicken on a regular basis.

The second most popular reason that most vegans make the switch is because eating meat conflicts with their dietary preferences, while some simply don't enjoy the texture and taste of meat. Others avoid meat for health concerns, especially those who are having problems with high cholesterol.

The third reason that most vegetarians cite as their reason for conversion is the fact that consuming meat hurts the environment. According to them, the consumption of meat causes farmers to continually deforest vast lands in order to make way for cattle grazing land.

These are just a few of the reasons that people switch to meat-free diets. In fact, there are quite a number of smaller vegan groups who chose to avoid meat for entirely different reasons than the ones listed above.

Vegetarian Vs Meat Lovers

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