Soups are hearty vegetarian meal options.
Whether you are planning a dinner party and want to offer a vegetarian entree or simply want a lighter meal option for yourself, vegetarian recipes can satisfy multiple dietary requirements. Look for vegetarian dishes that use seasonal vegetables to get the most natural taste, and consider ways that you can use vegetarian options to replace meat in traditional dishes. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Grilled Vegetables
In the warm summer months, create vegetarian meals with grilled vegetables. For a twist on traditional grilled corn, add melted butter with chili powder, lime juice and salt, or add a sprinkling of seasoned bread crumbs to freshly grilled tomatoes and fennel. Toss a variety of marinated, grilled peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and onions with olive oil and pasta for a fresh dish, and serve with thick Portabella mushrooms to make a full meal. For a fresh side dish, remove grilled corn from the cob and toss with spinach, tomatoes, fresh oregano, Parmesan cheese and olive oil. If you are cooking for a summer party, make grilled tomato melts by roasting tomatoes topped with cheese, pecans and green onions, or make miniature sandwiches with grilled eggplant, peppers and hummus. In the winter, you can recreate similar dishes by roasting vegetables in your oven or stove top grill.
Meat Replacement
For vegetarian guests or family members, you can make traditional dishes with non-meat substitutions. For a barbecue, make quinoa burgers using egg, breadcrumbs, beans, vegetables and seasonings to taste; mix all ingredients to a chunky consistency in a food processor, form into patties, and grill as you would a normal burger. When making pizza, include a vegetarian option that is topped with Portabella mushrooms for bulk, spinach and fresh tomatoes. Replace the meat in tacos or burritos with seasoned black beans, and stuff peppers with a bean-quinoa mix instead of ground beef. Make spring rolls with kiwi and mango instead of chicken or pork, and replace meat with buttery avocado pieces in pitas and wraps.
Soups
Soups can almost always be made into vegetarian-friendly dishes without sacrificing taste and bulk. In the fall, warm up your guests with roasted sweet potato and curried apple soup, or serve a hearty butternut squash soup. Make thick pea soup without ham, and replace the meat in stews with a variety of beans to add protein and increase thickness. Chickpeas are a great way to add carbohydrates to a soup: combine them with tomatoes, spelt or barley with a tomato base, or add to any clear soup for added nutritional value. Make vegetarian chili, creamy carrot coconut soup, black bean soup, lentil soup, or bean and barley soup for a healthy, vegetarian entree.
Tags: grilled corn, Portabella mushrooms, replace meat, topped with, traditional dishes