Showing posts with label vegetarian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vegetarian. Show all posts

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Cooking Vegetarian - Simple Ways To Cook Vegetarian Food

In all forms of cooking there are some principles to bear in mind that can make it easier. Vegetarian dishes are no exception. Even the simplest recipe can look really complicated unless we understand the basics.



The simplest of all dishes is a one pot stew or casserole. There are vegetarian versions that taste just as good as meat based ones. If you have the essential ingredients to hand you can make a very simple vegetarian casserole.



All you need to do is add a tin of beans such as kidney beans, pinto beans, butter beans of flageolet beans to a root vegetable casserole. You can develop some variations on this theme by adding a topping of breadcrumbs with or without grated cheese and putting it in the oven for a few minutes. You could even add a pastry crust or a cobbler topping and bake it. Dumplings are an excellent addition and make a hearty vegetarian meal.



Vegetarian soups are just as simple. If you cook some lentils, carrots and onions for about 15 minutes you can whizz the whole thing in a food processor to make soup. Season to taste and stir a spoonful of yoghurt or creme fraiche into each dish as you serve it. A sprinkling of chopped coriander or parsley adds a special touch.



A pea soup is even easier. Cook some frozen peas in boiling water with a sprig of mint. When they are cooked put them in the food processor. Season to taste and serve. A slice of wholemeal bread makes a satisfying vegetarian lunch.



Another one pot stand by is risotto. A mushroom risotto makes a quick and easy vegetarian supper. Arborio rice cooks in about 10 minutes and it will take about the same to chop up some onions, garlic and mushrooms.



Stir fry is a great vegetarian stand by. The great advantage of this kind of cooking is that you can adapt it to whatever vegetables you have available. If you have some tofu in the store cupboard it is easy to make a vegetarian stir fry. Mushrooms also make a good vegetarian stir fry.



A stir fry is not quite a one pot dish because you will need to cook some rice or noodles to go with it. But noodles are very easy and only take about 10 minutes or less.



Cooking brown rice can be a slow business which puts many people off using it. But the best way to make this essential vegetarian food easy is to invest in an electric rice. cooker. Your rice will be done perfectly every time and become the basis of many easy vegetarian meals.



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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Vegetarian Meal Planning

How do you plan your meals? If you're a vegetarian, you likely already know a little something about meal planning. While there are a lot of options for vegetarian meals, the primary store focuses on including meat.

An foremost part of our meals is the nutritional value. Vegetarian meal planning is a great way to integrate a lot of vitamins and minerals into our diets without sacrificing taste.
Many people are designating a day of the week for meat free meals. You may be concerned about getting all of the nourishment that you need from meat and animal protein but vegetarian meals can be very high in protein.

Meat Casseroles

Vegetarian meals provide:

o Variety: Trying out different foods, increasing collection in your meals.

o Nutrients: Vegetarian food is high in fiber, legumes (beans/peas), vegetables and fruit. These are great sources of natural nutrients for a healthy diet.

o Low Fat: A vegetarian diet is naturally low in fat.

Often these are exotic recipes taken from different cultures where vegetarian food is a part of their culture and are a general way of life.

Vegetarian food excludes animal meat and fish. Regularly animal protein from egg and dairy sources are included in vegetarian meal planning. Every person needs protein to stay healthy. Going vegetarian for a few meals a week is a great way to advance your meal repertoire and literally get creative with fresh ingredients. increasing your palate to comprise the different spices common in other countries will make each meal an adventure.

You can find vegetarian method books at the local library or at most bookstores. There are tons of great recipes that are also budget- amiable on the internet. Indian and Asian cuisines comprise many great vegetarian meals as it is a big part of their respective cultures. Add some diversity and excitement to your diet this week with a vegetarian meal or two!

Vegetarian Meal Planning

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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Adapt Your Recipes to Vegetarian For Health and Weight Loss

Permanent weight loss is easier with healthy vegetarian meals. Why? A plant based diet plan is low calorie and fills you up with high fiber foods. And fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains contain more anti-oxidants than meat, dairy, and eggs.

Eating the most nutritious foods means quick weight loss without hunger. Not ready to go full time vegetarian? Studies show that eating a few meatless meals every week can lower the risk of heart disease and may even prolong life.

Meat Casseroles

So how can you adapt your favorite recipes to omit the meat? Here are 5 ways to cut the meat and increase the health benefits of your meals:

1. Stir-frys are healthy, quick, and satisfying. Substitute firm tofu, tempeh, nuts, and sesame seeds in place of chicken, beef, and seafood. Use a variety of colorful vegetables like pea pods, red bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and carrots for a super-charged meal. Serve with brown rice instead of white rice for a hearty, nutty taste and more fiber.

2. Substitute cooked legumes like beans and lentils for the meat in casseroles, stews, soups, and chili. Try red kidney beans in chili or stew, lentils in spaghetti sauce or stuffed cabbage rolls, and refried beans in burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. Black beans and rice make a filling main dish. Spice them up with some fresh salsa, and add avocado for healthy fats.

3. Skip the meat and add more chopped vegetables in pasta sauces, pizza toppings, soups, stews, and other mixed dishes. Vegetables like portabella mushrooms and eggplant are thick and satisfying. Use soy-based cheese instead of dairy-based cheese for added anti-oxidants.

4. Substituting for eggs and dairy in recipes can be tricky, so experiment to find the right consistency and binding agents for each dish. For example, try tofu, soymilk, soy cheese, and soy yogurt in recipes that call for dairy products. Replace ricotta cheese in lasagna with crumbled tofu. Buttermilk is a snap to make by mixing 1 cup of soy milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Use soymilk when making puddings and mashed potatoes.

5. Fruit smoothies make outstanding breakfasts or lunches, especially on hot days. Skip the dairy base and enjoy a thick, creamy fruit smoothie made with soft tofu, soymilk, or fruit juice.

Seek out vegetarian recipes on the internet. There are countless sites with creative recipes to wean you off meat. You'll be healthier and slimmer if you can eat a few meals a week without meat, dairy, and eggs.

Adapt Your Recipes to Vegetarian For Health and Weight Loss

Diane Gilabert lost 30 pounds by following a whole foods, plant-based diet. Get some of Diane's easy vegan recipes at http://www.lose-weight-for-life.com/easy-vegan-recipes.html.

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Some Very Tasty Vegetarian Casseroles

Casseroles are cooked in dishes that are deep and large which are also used as serving dishes. We will focus on vegetarian casseroles in this article. You can get the same effect by using a crock pot and there are many vegetarian casseroles recipes available for use in a crock pot.

However, this does not mean that the meat eaters among you have to skip over this section. These dishes can be an accompaniment to your meat dishes.

Meat Casseroles

Zucchini and Tomato Casserole. Ingredients. 6 medium zucchini (cut into 1/2 inch slices);4 medium tomatoes (diced);5 cloves garlic (finely chopped);1 onion;1/2 cup olive oil;1/4 cup oregano (chopped);Salt and pepper to taste. Directions. Set oven to 350 F. Place 2 tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium heat and add onion and garlic. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Place onion mixture with zucchini, tomatoes and oregano in a large bowl, and season with salt and pepper and toss. Place in 2 quart casserole dish and drizzle with rest of olive oil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until vegetables are tender. Tilt pan from time to time to collect juices and baste vegetables.

Vegetarian Brown Rice Casserole (Preparation time is approximately 7 minutes and cook time is approximately 5 minutes. Ingredients. 1 can (19 oz) ready-to-serve lentil soup;1 package (about 9 oz) ready-to-serve brown rice;1 can (7.75 oz) unsalted mixed vegetables, drained;1 large or 2 small canned roasted red peppers, diced;1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided;Salt and pepper to taste. Directions. Combine soup, rice, mixed vegetables, peppers and 6 tablespoons of the cheddar cheese in a 2-quart microwave-safe casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste and level the top of the mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese. Cover and cook in a microwave oven at full power until heated through and the cheese on top melts, about 5 minutes.

Green Bean Casserole (using a crock pot). Ingredients. 2 bags frozen green beans;1 can cream of mushroom soup;1 can French fried onions or 1/2 onion (chopped);1/3 cup milk or soy milk;1/4 teaspoon salt;1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Directions. Mix together the green beans, soup and milk in the pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and half of the French fried onion or all the chopped onion. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Top with remaining French fried onions just before serving.

Chili Rice Casserole. Ingredients. 1 cup raw instant rice;1 can cream celery condensed soup;1 can chopped up green chili peppers;1 cup sour cream;1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese. Directions. Set oven to 325 F. In a baking dish mix rice, chili peppers, sour cream and soup. Place cheddar cheese on. Bake in oven for approx. 25 min.

As you can see, casseroles are quite simple to prepare and are hassle free as you put all the ingredients into the dish and cook. Vegetarian casseroles can be made either in the oven, in a crock pot or in a microwave.

Some Very Tasty Vegetarian Casseroles

My web site is a casserole recipe site My site gives many recipes for different types of casseroles including pasta, vegetarian, seafood, and breakfast, casseroles. Along with tips and suggestions. You can find my site at http://www.best-made-casseroles.com

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Secrets To Becoming Vegetarian Tonight, Armed With Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

It can be tough to drop pounds and come up with healthy family meal plans when you stick to a normal Western diet comprised largely of meat and simple carbs like breads, pastas, and baked products. That's why many individuals who want to be fitter and shed the pounds are now becoming vegetarians.  The health advantages of vegetarianism have been generally known for years , but many folks are reluctant to make the switch because the idea of eating an entire diet of predominantly vegetable matter seems like it might get dull very fast.  However, with the huge resources available on the web at this time, it's simple to design a vegetarian meal plan that works for you.  It is feasible to make easy vegetarian dinners and also gourmet vegetarian recipes that the whole family can enjoy.  You may also follow a vegetarian weight loss plan that may help you shed those stored pounds!  With some study and experimentation, improving your fitness with a vegetarian diet is certainly possible.  
Hunting Down vegetarian dinner recipes on line is a lot easier than you might imagine.  Chatalaine, Canada's foremost ladies magazine has plenty of quick and easy vegetarian recipes available throughout it.  Many women use Chatelaine meal plans to make their lives less complicated and more fit. However, there are heaps of different places online that are fully dedicated to recipes that provide free, healthy meal ideas and instructions for a vegetarian lifestyle.  Locate quick vegetarian recipes for every style, taste, and skill level, from easy vegetarian casserole recipes to trickier Italian vegetarian cooking.  You can also make vegetarian jello for dessert! The probabilities are virtually endless - modern vegetarian meals can mount up to a really gratifying diet and lifestyle.  
While it is obviously more healthy for most people to eat a vegetarian diet, you may also be surprised to learn that consuming a vegetarian diet can also be a good fat loss technique.  With the growing popularity of low carb diet meal plans that prohibit fruit and vegetable intake, many people mistakenly believe that they cannot shed weight by eating lots of fruit and veggies. However, the opposite is right, even with a low carbohydrate diet! Though all vegetables and fruit are classified as carbohydrates, there really are low cal, low carb vegetarian recipes that you can use as a part of a vegetarian weight loss program.  Any diet weight loss meal plan should include fresh fruits and vegetables for optimal health and the most satisfactory results.



Visit this vegetarian meal recipes to learn to make healthy raw vegan dishes.

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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Vegetarian Bean Recipes

Vegetarian Bean Recipes
Despite the decline in recent years of the average diet due to overabundant fast food, sweets and preservatives, many are now seeking to reverse the trend and keep themselves healthier with wholesome, more balanced diets. Organic foods are an ever growing market as a result, offering the same foods people are used to while promising less of the chemical additives and deleterious effects they bring with them. Organic beef, chicken and other meats are raised in more natural conditions rather than the veritable livestock factories created by large scale manufacturers. Many health conscious consumers are avoiding meat altogether, though, preferring to stick with a strictly vegetarian (or even vegan) diet for the benefits of lowered cholesterol and risk of heart disease they convey.
While maintaining a vegetarian diet is commendable and one of the best health preserving decisions one can make, no man or woman can subsist on carrots and celery alone. Vegetarian diets require the same planning, if not more, as a well balanced omnivorous diet to accommodate the lack of nutrients that meats have historically provided for humans. Primary amongst these nutrient losses are iron and proteins as meat is the most widely available and convenient source, but thankfully for vegetarians, it is not the only such source. Spinach is a fast candidate for quick iron boosts but leaves the protein deficit unaffected. This results in many uninformed vegetarians running into malnutrition problems as their systems are devoid of essential amino acids that these proteins provide during the digestion and metabolic cycle leading to a number of nasty effects ranging from inactivity and digestion issues to swollen liver and abdominal edema.
There is, of course, a solution to this dilemma far simpler than taking supplements, beans. Regardless of variety, from northern to baked, beans provide the protein intake essential to whole body well being. The problem with this isolated source of protein for many lies not in any nutritional caveat, but in how to spice up dishes with a variety of vegetarian bean recipes to avoid the boring, same meal every night. S&W Beans, the very same company that supplies many stores with their stock of the nutritious legume also provides a collection of vegetarian bean recipes on their website to rival all but the most specialized of cookbooks, from soups and salad toppings to pies and casseroles, the site's worth a view for health nuts and bean aficionados alike.
S&W Beans was founded over a century ago, in 1896 by three wholesale grocers from San Francisco to promote a healthier, more nutritious lifestyle and provide the food to live that life to its fullest. For their vegetarian bean recipes and a catalog of the company's products, you can find their site at swbeans.com



I am Zenolite. As a freelancer I am writing articles for SWBeans.S&W Beans was founded over a century ago, in 1896 by three wholesale grocers from San Francisco to promote a healthier, more nutritious lifestyle and provide the food to live that life to its fullest. For their vegetarian bean recipes and a catalog of the company's products, you can find their site at swbeans.com

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Healthy Vegetarian Food - Tomato Onion and Zucchini Casserole

We were in a quick rush tonight and wanted something fast and easy but fancied something tasty with hardly any dishes to prepare and there was also the possibility that guests may, or may not arrive for tea and we were unsure how many! A tall order you might think but no, this dish is flexible enough to add more veggies, nuts, any kind of beans to extend the dish for more people or make it extra yummy and if even more people do turn up unexpectedly, a pot of steaming pasta or rice will extend it even further.

Tomato Onion and Zucchini Casserole Serves 6

Meat Casseroles

2 Tablespoons oil 2 onions peeled and finely sliced 1 - 2 Cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped 500 grams zucchini - cut into 2cm pieces 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped roughly ( OK to use either tinned or paste) 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ( substitute BBQ or other preference) 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley ( or basil, or chopped chives as I have) 1 teaspoon dried basil freshly ground pepper and salt to taste

Method

Heat oil in pan and add onion and garlic, saute until tender

Add zucchini, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, basil and freshly ground pepper and salt to taste and bring to the boil.

Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until zucchini or other veggies you have added are tender.

Serve with more freshly chopped herbs, grated or sliced cheese or vegan cheese, cashew nuts if desired and enjoy a quick, easy, healthy vegetarian meal that looks colorful on the plate with minimum effort.

Additional optional extras

Celery, mushrooms, carrots, sweet potato, sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli or anything else you may have available at the time.

Healthy Vegetarian Food - Tomato Onion and Zucchini Casserole

Carol Skinner is a creative artist and photography enthusiast living in rural Northland, New Zealand. After a career in the property field she gave it up to pursue her passion for Art, especially painting and concentrate on Internet marketing and has through the Internet, rediscovered her fondness for writing articles. There is now a large garden instead of neighbors on the doorstep and views of chickens, trees and greenery and instead of waking to an alarm, there are now bird calls and a rooster crowing and there is time to cook using fresh produce and herbs from the garden. Return to the city? I think not!

Website: http://quickhealthyrecipesforyou.com

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Easy Veggie Meal Plans - Eating Right As a Vegetarian

When you choose to have goals like toning flabby muscles, losing some much needed weight or gaining weight or just building muscle you will need to do two things exercise and diet. Meal plans are an awesome way to handle the dieting side of things. Authors write about hundreds of different diet programs that will supposedly help you lose weight and keep it off. Talk shows and news programs talk about all the latest health crazes. In subsequent weeks, dieters lose an average of 1-2 pounds each week.



Shannon Spoon is a expert article writer for goarticles,hubpages,ezine,squiddo, articlesfactory and goarticles.

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

6 Ways to Make Your Vegetarian Dinner Guest Feel At Home

There few more nerve racking events than the big holiday dinner parties.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, you want them all to be just perfect, a happy family time where everyone is catered for and everyone is happy.  Only this year, your son's new girlfriend is coming and she's a vegetarian.  You realise you have never cooked for a vegetarian before.  Just how do you make your vegetarian dinner guest feel at home?



A freelance writer working from home.

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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

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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Sunday, January 2, 2011

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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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Some Very Tasty Vegetarian Casseroles

Casseroles are cooked in dishes that are deep and large which are also used as serving dishes. We will focus on vegetarian casseroles in this article. You can get the same effect by using a crock pot and there are many vegetarian casseroles recipes available for use in a crock pot.

However, this does not mean that the meat eaters among you have to skip over this section. These dishes can be an accompaniment to your meat dishes.

Zucchini and Tomato Casserole. Ingredients. 6 medium zucchini (cut into 1/2 inch slices);4 medium tomatoes (diced);5 cloves garlic (finely chopped);1 onion;1/2 cup olive oil;1/4 cup oregano (chopped);Salt and pepper to taste. Directions. Set oven to 350 F. Place 2 tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium heat and add onion and garlic. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Place onion mixture with zucchini, tomatoes and oregano in a large bowl, and season with salt and pepper and toss. Place in 2 quart casserole dish and drizzle with rest of olive oil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until vegetables are tender. Tilt pan from time to time to collect juices and baste vegetables.

Vegetarian Brown Rice Casserole (Preparation time is approximately 7 minutes and cook time is approximately 5 minutes. Ingredients. 1 can (19 oz) ready-to-serve lentil soup;1 package (about 9 oz) ready-to-serve brown rice;1 can (7.75 oz) unsalted mixed vegetables, drained;1 large or 2 small canned roasted red peppers, diced;1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided;Salt and pepper to taste. Directions. Combine soup, rice, mixed vegetables, peppers and 6 tablespoons of the cheddar cheese in a 2-quart microwave-safe casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste and level the top of the mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese. Cover and cook in a microwave oven at full power until heated through and the cheese on top melts, about 5 minutes.

Green Bean Casserole (using a crock pot). Ingredients. 2 bags frozen green beans;1 can cream of mushroom soup;1 can French fried onions or 1/2 onion (chopped);1/3 cup milk or soy milk;1/4 teaspoon salt;1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Directions. Mix together the green beans, soup and milk in the pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and half of the French fried onion or all the chopped onion. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Top with remaining French fried onions just before serving.

Chili Rice Casserole. Ingredients. 1 cup raw instant rice;1 can cream celery condensed soup;1 can chopped up green chili peppers;1 cup sour cream;1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese. Directions. Set oven to 325 F. In a baking dish mix rice, chili peppers, sour cream and soup. Place cheddar cheese on. Bake in oven for approx. 25 min.

As you can see, casseroles are quite simple to prepare and are hassle free as you put all the ingredients into the dish and cook. Vegetarian casseroles can be made either in the oven, in a crock pot or in a microwave.




My web site is a casserole recipe site My site gives many recipes for different types of casseroles including pasta, vegetarian, seafood, and breakfast, casseroles. Along with tips and suggestions. You can find my site at http://www.best-made-casseroles.com

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Friday, November 26, 2010

Cooking Vegetarian Family Meals

Every family can benefit from increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in their diet. Even if you are not vegetarians, consider cooking a couple of "meat free" meals each week. People who follow a vegetarian diet tend to have lower cholesterol, stronger immune systems and are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight.

Here are some tips to help you make the switch:

Start with a "family favourite" recipe, such as lasagna or bolognese, and modify the recipe for a meat free version. Remember, you don´t have to make the meal solely from vegetables. Use one of the many soya-based meat equivalents.
If you find the thought of cooking a vegetarian meal from scratch a little daunting, buy a couple of supermarket ready meals first. Most stores offer a great choice of dishes and it should be easy to find one that appeals to the family´s taste.
Buy a cheap vegetarian cookbook or download recipe ideas from the internet. There is a wealth of information out there, so there are no excuses for serving limp salads!
When eating out, try to switch to a vegetarian option. Even the fast food chains offer vegeburgers and bean burritos, so making the switch is easy. Just make sure that you go easy on the side orders. French Fries might be made of potato but they are still loaded with fat!
If you find the taste of some vegetarian meals a little bland, use herbs, spices and seasoning to add taste and flavor.
Think of all the recipes that your family enjoys and eats anyway. Chances are that there are quite a few vegetarian meals in the list! Tomato soup, bean salad, coleslaw, macaroni cheese..it should be easy to put together a vegetarian menu a couple of times a week.
Go easy on the higher fat foods such as cheese. It is still possible to gain weight on a vegetarian diet if you eat the wrong foods in large portion sizes. Remember to check that any cheese you buy is vegetarian, as some cheeses are made from animal rennet.
Increase your consumption of beans and pulses in tasty stews and casseroles. Legumes are a good source of protein.
If you don´t think you can miss meat out of your recipes altogether, try giving up red meat instead. Switch to chicken or turkey mince in pasta sauces and burgers, as the fat content is considerable lower.
Most cooking styles will have a wealth of vegetarian options available, meaning you can have an extensive and varied repertoire of family meals. Italian pasta sauces, stir fry recipes, mexican food, curries.. the choice is endless.
Many vegetarian dishes can be easily cooked in your slow cooker. Vegetable stew, Winter Vegetable Casseroles, soups and curries. Save time, effort AND calories with these healthy choices.

Try making the switch and see if your family can tell the difference. The first time I made lasagna to the usual recipe, but with soya mince, no-one around the table even noticed. And if your family enjoys the meals so much that you decide to make a lifestyle change, remember that you will have to start checking the ingredients on every food item that you buy. Read the nutritional labels of every product carefully, as animal products do turn up in the strangest places!




You can even adapt your favourite crock pot recipes to be vegetarian. Lisa has with these vegetarian crock pot recipes

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Monday, November 1, 2010

Vegetarian Recipes For Meat Eaters - 2 Simple Recipes For A Green Meal

For people who have been eating meat and have very recently switched over to being vegetarian would certainly find it difficult to getting used to eating only greens. For these meat eaters who have converted to vegetarianism, there are many vegetarian cooking recipes that will make them want to continue being a vegetarian. Here are a couple of vegetarian recipes that meat eaters would like to try out.

Meat eaters would certainly like to try out this tasty recipe called Vegetarian Chili. In this recipe there is no meat products used and that's why it is called vegetarian chili.

Vegetarian Chili

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil preferably in a pan to which you can add 2 to 3 coarsely chopped medium onions and 2 teaspoons of garlic which has been finely chopped and stir fry well till they are cooked. Add 2 cups of frozen whole sweet corn and sauté well. Also add a bagful of a mixture of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, a can of red kidney beans that have been washed and drained, a can of chick peas, and 2 whole cans of tomatoes which have been diced along with green chilies. To this add a can of tomato sauce and 2 teaspoons of chili powder,3 spoons cumin powder, salt to taste and also a dash of ground red pepper. Leave the mixture to boil for at least 20 minutes over medium flame making sure that you stir the ingredients once in a while. Cook till you find the vegetables to be crispy and yet tender and the chili hot.

Vegetable Lasagna

Vegetables Needed

Olive oil cooking spray
2 medium bell peppers, which have been cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, slit into 8 wedges, and separated into pieces
2 medium sliced zucchini,
1 package fresh whole mushrooms, which have been sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Tomato Sauce
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 can (28 oz) Progresso® tomato puree
3 tablespoons freshly chopped or 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
3 tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Lasagna
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Start by having your oven pre heated to 450 degrees F. Use the cooking spray to oil a 15x10x1 inch pan and inside the pan place the bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini evenly in a single layer. Also spray on the lined vegetables and sprinkle using salt and pepper. Have this baked for 20-25 minutes making sure to have the vegetables turned at least once and cook till tender.

Take a 2 quart saucepan and have it sprayed with oil, add the onions and garlic and cook over medium flame for at least 2 minutes making sure to stir occasionally. Add in all the remaining ingredients for making sauce and leave to boil and then reduced the flame. Allow to simmer for at least 15 to 20 minutes till it thickens considerably.

Take the packet of noodles and have them cooked according to the instructions on it. Drain the excess water and keep aside. In a separate bowl mix the cheeses well and keep aside.

Reduce the temperature of the oven to 400 degrees F. In a glass baking dish spray some oil and a quarter of the sauce spread at the bottom. Over this spread the 3 different noodles. Again pour the remaining sauce and spread evenly till the noodles are fully covered. Over this ad the cooked vegetables and over this mixture spread the cheese mixture. Have this baked without any cover for at least 25 minutes or till done. Allow to cool before you serve.




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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Eating Fake Meat - How to make a closet vegetarian

Three years ago, I woke up in a beautiful Saturday morning, and felt the pain in my chest, I found myself brushing my teeth. Digestive problems? Sure. What else could it be? After several days of morning discomfort, I decided to visit my family doctor. stress test and a half later, when I grounded by a cardiologist and two nurses have helped, I realized that my life was in danger. The following week, after working for Roto-Rooter (angioplasty), I returned to work, great feelingand admire the wonders of modern medicine. Six months later, while taking an evening stroll with my wife, I lived again the days of extreme chest pain. This time, the cardiologist gave me in hospital for a quadruple bypass. When I was discharged from hospital, I was given a package by the resident nutritionist. His advice, paraphrased a bit, 'my diet means low fat or exchange.

My biggest problem facing the transition to a low-fat diet were boredomBeans and rice, the time of preparation of food and fatty foods that seem full of taste! I loved the hamburgers and hot dogs, enjoy a steaming plate of spaghetti with sauce drowned in flesh and lived for my Sunday morning breakfast with eggs and sausage.

I need recipes and dishes for more than a simple, easy-to-be state, and stored. I need food, the transition was. The food that was, I eat what I've always loved, could be wrong. Fake meatUnlike analog food, gave me the tools around and enjoy a closet vegetarian.

The recipes that follow are three of my favorites. All are easily and quickly cooked on the stove.

Fifteen minutes Spaghetti

This tasty and satisfying two, less than two grams of fat and saturated fat and cholesterol. Not bad for a meal, the sauce has the consistency and taste of spaghetti with meat real.

LunchIngredients


2 cups frozen meat false
½ box of thin spaghetti
1 26 g jar of spaghetti sauce, fat-free
No fat, Parmesan

Preparation:

Cook spaghetti according to package directions statement. Mix hamburger with spaghetti sauce false in a large pot and heat. Served with spaghetti sauce, cheese, bread and Italian. Refrigerate leftovers of a meal that is almost as good a couple of days later.

Not so Sloppy Joes

This meal proves thatReducing cholesterol and still enjoy some great classics that are not so good. This easy recipe to feed four, contains less than four grams of fat per serving and no saturated fat and cholesterol. If you say no, nobody knows that this is not the right thing.

Packaged ingredients:


3 cups frozen hamburgers false
½ cup frozen chopped onions
½ cup chopped green bell pepper, frozen
January 15 ounces tomato sauce
¼ cup ketchup
4hamburger buns
cooking wine, red or white, as needed for frying

Spices:


2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons mustard
Hot Pepper Sauce (optional)

Preparation:

In a large saucepan, sauté onions, garlic, pepper and wine until tender. Combine remaining ingredients except hamburger false and spicy sauce. Boil 10 minutes. Add burgers and false heat for 10 minutes. Add hotsauce, if desired. Pour the mixture onto rolls and serve. leftover sauce in refrigerator for another day.

Lumberjack Special

This recipe provides a good breakfast for two, fat, and has a bad 5mg cholesterol from egg to replace. Potatoes and sausage restaurant bring something false leads to serious breakfast eaters.

Ingredients


1 cup liquid egg substitute
She has already cooked and frozen potatoes, sliced
4vegetarian sausage slices, ¼ inch thick
2 whole wheat muffins
Vegetable cooking spray

Preparation:

Mix egg substitute according to the method of packaging. Fry the potatoes and sausages cooking spray fake. Serve hot in the microwave, if necessary, before.

Analog food, meat, fake, fake meat, or as some call them, are available in most modern supermarkets. They are usually in a section reserved for tofu andTempeh. They have many configurations: chicken nuggets, burgers, sausages and salami, to name a few. Many are made from soybeans, but many others are mixtures of different vegetables. Try these three recipes. Do you like immediately. Your taste buds will be eating meat is wrong to believe that you are. It 'can satisfy the desire for consistency and flavor of the meat, and is always above a quadruple bypass later.

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