Vegetables are versatile ingredients.
Vegetarian cooking allows for unbridled creativity and variation. In recent years, cookbooks and recipe websites have placed less emphasis on animal protein as a focal point of the meal, leading to more tips and ideas for the vegetarian cook and those who need to prepare food for vegetarian guests. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Balance It Out
Plan your vegetarian dishes with wholesome nutrition in mind. Make use of beans, whole grains and green, leafy vegetables for iron and protein. Lentils, tofu and soy provide calcium, along with nuts. A well-rounded vegetarian meal should include nutrients and vitamins such as B-12 and Vitamin D, found in fortified foods like cereals. By using nutritionally dense ingredients in your vegetarian dish, you ensure a filling and satisfying meal that leaves no meat to be desired.
Avoid Overcooking
Retain the flavor of your vegetable ingredients and preserve the precious nutrients contained therein by making sure they don't sit on the stove or in the oven for too long. Cook vegetables for no longer than 15 minutes. They can be eaten off the grill, steamed or sauteed quickly or even consumed raw. Just don't lose the vitamins and minerals from your food or leave it dry and tasteless.
Keep It Light
Respect and highlight the delicate, natural flavors of your vegetable, grain and legume ingredients by keeping your dishes free of high fat content. Don't pack your recipes with cholesterol-heavy cheeses, lots of butter or several egg yolks in an effort to make up for the absence of meat in the meal.
Cook What You Know
You can easily make most of your favorite dishes vegetarian simply by omitting animal proteins or replacing meat ingredients with soy-based imitation meat. If you're a fan of the smoky taste and distinctive texture, you'll find many acceptable products on the market that are suitable for fully vegetarian cooking. That means you can use your old pasta, pizza and taco recipes with a few minor alterations.
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