Alicia64 Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Coming up with this list every week is rough. My husband loves to eat badly -- porno food, I call it -- and my one son who doesn't need a loaded plate, loves a loaded plate. My second son is beyond picky. Anyway, I need vegetarian dishes that are healthy and easy. Like burritos w/ refried beans. Raviolis etc. Thanks!! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Like really easy? My son calls this a 'rice bowl'. It is a bowl of rice, topped with refried beans. Then, depending on what you like you can add salsa, chopped avocado, grated cheese, scallion etc. My kids love this, for some reason. I make my own refried beans and freeze them in portion size, but you can get fat free or vegetarian refried beans at the store. There is a fantastic cookbook by Lorna Sass called "Shortcut Vegan" http://www.amazon.com/Short-Cut-Vegan-Great-Taste-Time/dp/0061741116/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1389488561&sr=8-6&keywords=Lorna+Sass When it first came out it was called 'shortcut vegetarian' and it kept use eating when we had a new baby, lol. I am not a vegan and didn't even notice that it was a vegan cookbook. it is that good. Anyway, it now has a new title, but it is a great cookbook for days you need something FAST. Another really fast dinner is an omelet. I always omit a few egg yolks to cut the fat. But some frozen spinach, a onion and a touch of feta and you have a nice dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 Is it bad that I want to hear about the porno food? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Cream puffs from Costco Donuts Pancakes Raviolis -- better if they're fried Cupcakes Cookies -- he's awful in a World's Market I thought he'd change his tune when he hit his 40's, but nope. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Like really easy? My son calls this a 'rice bowl'. It is a bowl of rice, topped with refried beans. Then, depending on what you like you can add salsa, chopped avocado, grated cheese, scallion etc. My kids love this, for some reason. I make my own refried beans and freeze them in portion size, but you can get fat free or vegetarian refried beans at the store. We eat this once a week and my family thinks it is gourmet. I cook both the RF beans and the rice in large quantities and freeze in one-meal-sized portions. We have two nights a week when I have zero time to cook and this is my go-to for one of those nights. During the summer when the garden is going full blast, it is even easier. I swear I can chop up ANYTHING and they will eat it if it is on top of beans and rice. During the winter months, I do have to plan ahead and have toppings on hand and preferably prepped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Ok, but cooking vegetarian dinners wont help if they go load on up on donuts afterwards. Are you guys already vegetarians? Because ravioli is starch and cheese (which is fat). I mean, healthy vegetarian is, to me, stir fry on brown rice with tofu, or chili and corn bread with lot of veggies in the chili (peppers, tomatoes, corn, carrots). Maybe soups? But if they are eating lots of junk, the best thing to do is make meals they find satisfying so they dont snack so much. So if meat makes them more satisfied, give them lower fat meat options. And think of cheese as a condiment - its mostly fat, and a little protein. We arent vegetarian, and its been a long time since i was. But i made cuban black beans and rice yesterday, adding 2 sausages, and it was fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 Ok, but cooking vegetarian dinners wont help if they go load on up on donuts afterwards. Are you guys already vegetarians? Because ravioli is starch and cheese (which is fat). I mean, healthy vegetarian is, to me, stir fry on brown rice with tofu, or chili and corn bread with lot of veggies in the chili (peppers, tomatoes, corn, carrots). Maybe soups? But if they are eating lots of junk, the best thing to do is make meals they find satisfying so they dont snack so much. So if meat makes them more satisfied, give them lower fat meat options. And think of cheese as a condiment - its mostly fat, and a little protein. We arent vegetarian, and its been a long time since i was. But i made cuban black beans and rice yesterday, adding 2 sausages, and it was fantastic! Yes, I'm a long time vegetarian and my boys became one too following the lead of a homeschool friend who's vegetarian too. See, your black bean recipe is fine w/ fake sausage thrown in. Thanks for the ideas everyone! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Black Bean Tacos Mix 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can corn drained 1 can petite diced tomatoes (or flavored ones) If you have it 1 cup cooked rice (or for non vegetarian left over diced cooked chicken breast_ 1 packet taco seasoning mix Heat and serve on flour tortillas. You can add lettuce, cheese, sour cream, avocado, salsa, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 We are not vegetarians but sometimes we have veggie burritos. We use brown rice, black beans, veggies (personally, I use frozen stir fry veggies just because it's easy) taco sauce and cheese. They are pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyLady Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 This recipe might seem a little different, but I absolutely love, love, love it! I start eating it even before I put it in the oven. In fact, you don't even really need to bake it if you want to make it quicker and easier. You use this "beef" and then add whatever else you'd like...... avocado, tomatoes, lettuce...... Yum! :) http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/211087/a503046404/379000935/f34bb86f96/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Oh, i used to make from-scratch soysauge - it was yummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I make Sue Gregg's Lentil Rice Casserole. I double the recipe (except I use 5.5 cups water, because 6 cups seemed too runny; also I don't double the onion or garlic; nor do I add the cheese or parsley that the recipe calls for) and I bake it in a 9x13 dish. I make it in the morning and set the oven time-delayed so it will be ready at dinner time. Dh likes whole-grain carbs so I put his portion into a couple of whole-wheat tortillas. The rest of us prefer just the casserole. Top with sour cream, salsa, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, whatever you prefer. You could also put it into taco shells. Somewhere I read about somebody making the casserole using taco seasoning instead of the seasonings the recipe calls for. I don't know how much taco seasoning would be right, but it would be worth experimenting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Can you put out the salad or a veggie platter about an hour before dinner so that they graze on the good stuff first? Dont le hm even see the bread or cheese until dinnertime. Personally, I think soup is the answer to everything. I made Rachel Ray's minestrone soup last week. It was so quick and easy. (I skipped the step where she toasted the pasta because it's doofy.) with fake sausage it would come together even faster. For a thicker soup, purée half the beans before adding them to the pot. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/minestrone-soup-with-sweet-sausage-recipe/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbotoast Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 My non-vegetarian family like this one: http://www.thesisterscafe.com/2009/10/crispy-southwest-wraps-vegetarian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 3-bean chili over rice or baked potato (takes time, but make enough to freeze) crudité plate w/hummus, salsa, guacamole, tzatziki stir fry - over rice, over noodles, this can be the same but different every week LOL there are many soup options bruschetta breakfast for dinner (eggs, biscuits, grilled asparagus) shish-kabobs or oven-roasted vegetables w/rice deli plate - pick 3 to 4 vegetable side dishes and serve with bread ..... e.g., warm: steamed broccoli, sautéed garlic haricots verts, honey glazed carrots, grilled zucchini ... and cold: cucumber/tomato in vinaiger, fresh snap peas, bean salad, hard-boiled eggs stuffed bell peppers w/rice, beans, chopped veggies cabbage rolls (crockpot recipe, takes time but can be made/frozen) pumpkin tamales tomato and cheese sandwiches baked sweet potatoes w/salad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 On my search for a delicious creamy soup recipe, I just found this. It looks pretty easy and tasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I just downloaded the sample of the shortcut vegetarian. The lentil bake sounds good. I like to make large amounts of lentil/rice "hamburger" to use in various dishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Black bean burritos: Canned low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained 2-3 cloves of minced garlic (we like garlic) Sliced onions Toppings: shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, sour cream or yogurt I like to get organic peppers at Trader Joe's, cut them up and freeze them. (They are often on the verge of spoiling, which may be why they are so cheap, but I save money that way.) So they are already cut and ready to go. Trader Joe's tortillas (they don't contain trans fat. All the varieties at the local grocery store do.) Mince the garlic first and let it set out to develop the allicin. (sp? ) Saute the onions and peppers. Toss in beans and garlic and heat till warm. Spoon into tortilla shells. Serve with guacamole (as a cheese substitute--gives that creamy texture; or in addition to cheese), your favorite cheese, and salsa . You can add plain yogurt or sour cream as well. Very tasty and takes very little time. Variation: "refried" beans: rinse & drain pinto beans. Put them in a food processor till smooth with some cumin and chili powder for seasoning. Use refried beans instead of black beans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I came back to confess that my easiest vegetarian meal is actually TJ's microwavable Indian food (the Punjab Eggplant is my favorite, dh loves the Madras Lentils) plus some of their frozen naan. It takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I think rice bowls are a great quick and easy thing (pre make the rice and then freeze it in dinner size portions that you can micro) and you don't have to just do mexican. Add in some baked tofu, some sauteed shitake mushrooms, some steamed or sauteed greens, and frozen asian stir fry mix for an asian spin. Make a few adjustments in the seasoning and you could have an Indian spin. You could use mashed yukon gold potatoes as a base and then add in seitan or tofurky plus some steamed broccoli, cranberry sauce or cranberry chutney plus a mushroom gravy for a Thanksgiving type bowl. Sweet potatoes plus black beans, greens, mango, red pepper and lime juice is a great option (ala Rip's Sweet Potato Bowl). Steel cut oats plus greens, mushrooms, and nutritional yeast (plus a few things I'm probably forgetting) ala the Happy Healthy Librarian is tasty. Grains/potatoes/greens can all be made in advance, refrigerated, and then heated up come meal time. Otherwise, my other favorite resources are Robin Robertson's vegetarian/vegan slow cooker cookbooks, Isa Cahndra Moskowitz's "Isa Does It," and the Fat Free Vegan blog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Our fave quick veggie meal is Boca burgers on buns with salad, vegetables, oven fries, or some other quick sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Fiesta Soup picante salsa (I use a 16 oz. jar but it depends on how much you need) black beans corn cilantro and cumin to taste Heat through and serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, or avocado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Spaghetti pasta with red sauce and lots of veggies. Steamed brown rice (they have bags in the frozen section) mixed vegetables A big salad topped with sliced "chik'en" patties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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