Our Vegetarian Journey

Some of you may already know that my 12 year old son has decided he wants to be a vegetarian for the following reasons: more energy and focus, over-all better health, and animal treatment. We discussed what he had researched and I proposed a one week challenge for the both of us. I suggested that for a week we would only eat meat in the evening meal. That would be cutting our meat consumption down by about half. He agreed to try it. The afternoon of his first day back to school (after the decision), he told me he thought he could do it full time. I didn't know he had already decided that he didn't want anymore meat. I had no idea how I was going to provide him vegetarian meals, as well as meals with meat for my husband.

This particular type of cooking and way of thinking is new to me. I thought I would chronicle our adventure and some recipes that I use. We will also be observing any health effects or changes that we notice. This is my 5th day on a no-meat diet and I have lost 2 1/2 pounds.

So far, Nathan has taken pimento cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, raw vegetables with ranch dressing, cheese sticks, fruit cups, and applesauce to school for his lunch. He doesn't have access to a microwave so all his food needs to be ready to eat. I will have to search for more ideas for him to take for lunch.

For dinner this week we have had; tofu burgers, meatless chili, and spaghetti without meatballs. We've also had nachos with re-fried beans, queso blanco Velveeta cheese and homemade salsa. I found a recipe for this evening's dinner for vegetable pot pie.

I would LOVE to have some suggestions for meals and snacks from any of my readers, including recipes. I do not know anyone that is a vegetarian so I need HELP!

Garden Fresh Pasta Salad

With the summer's abundance of fresh vegetables, I enjoy making (and eating) this pasta salad. I didn't measure anything. Just fix to taste.

pasta
Italian dressing
any kinds of peppers (red, green, jalapeno, banana), chopped
tomatoes, chopped
onions, chopped
parmesan cheese
olives, chopped or sliced
sunflower seeds
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Mix all together and refrigerate. This is very hearty with the chopped vegetables. I had leftover fettuccine from last night's chicken alfredo, but any pasta will do. I also used Tuscan House Italian dressing that I had on hand. Spicy Italian dressing is good, too. I used banana peppers and "orangesicle" peppers with orange tomatoes. Grape tomatoes work well because they keep their shape (1/2 or quarter them). This is a nice cold dish for those hot summer days.

Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing

There are many different ways to make a vinaigrette. This is just one way that I did. I didn't measure anything, so all amounts are estimates. It is recommended that the oil to vinegar ratio be 3-1. Fix to your taste.

1/4 cup red wine vinegar ( I like balsamic vinegar, too)
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp of prepared mustard
1 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon of honey
ground sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper
onion and garlic powder

*ground basil, thyme or oregano could be added, if desired.

Mix well. Pour in oil and vinegar glass cruet for storage. This made quite a bit. Not much is needed for a salad. Use lightly. You may want to add more oil if vinegar is too strong or add more honey if it is too sour. It is suggested on several websites to use ground mustard, so not to run a risk of spoilage if stored at room temperature. The acid from the vinegar will probably prevent spoilage if stored at room temperature. It is also suggested to make a fresh batch every week.

Coffee Punch (Ice Cream Coffee drink)

Coffee Punch

1 1/4 cups of instant coffee

2 1/2 cups of sugar

5 cups of hot water

Mix and let cool.  Add one gallon of semi-melted chocolate ice cream, one gallon semi-melted vanilla, and one gallon milk to the coffee mixture.  Mix well.

This recipe came from Dr. Tim Mattson.

If you like coffee (even a little), this is FANTASTIC! Nathan loved it. It's a true treat.

Salads Made Interesting!

Don't want a boring 'ol salad anymore? I've got a new and fun salad for you to try! Chef salads are always a good stand-by with your traditional meat, egg, onion, cheese, peppers, etc. But, sometimes I want something a little more "interesting". Today's salad was very good and thought I'd share. 

Asian Salad - favorite lettuce or greens (iceberg is the LEAST nutritious); peppered turkey (or other lunch meat); sunflower seeds, tailgate crunch mix (see below), diced jicama, pasta and salad seasoning, light Asian sesame seed dressing. 

A few chow mein noodles would have been nice in there, too.

*tailgate crunch mix - sesame, poppy and onion sticks, roasted peanuts, small pretzel sticks, roasted almonds and cashews

The tailgate mix came from Jamesport at H & M Country Store.

White Barbecue Sauce

White Barbecue Sauce - (Big Book of BBQ, from editors of Southern Living)

 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 TBSP coarsely ground pepper
1 TBSP spicy brown mustard or creole mustard
2 tsp horseradish
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Stir together all ingredients until well blended. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week. Makes 1 3/4 cup.

* I made this today with real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. I liked it with the real mayonnaise; it's not so sweet. Also, I couldn't find white wine vinegar in the store, so used tarragon flavored vinegar. The lightest (in color) is probably the best - not red wine vinegar. I did find Zatarain's creole mustard. I'm using it as a marinade for chicken breasts and plan on basting it as I cook it with additional sauce. It tastes amazing. Reminds me of hollandaise sauce and would be good on eggs or as a sandwich spread. I might try to have on hand for a multipurpose sauce. I love it!

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

1 large coffee mug
4TBLS flour
4TBLS sugar
2 TBLS baking  cocoa
1 egg
3-4 TBLS milk
3 TBLS oil
3 TBLS chocolate chips (optional)
Splash of vanilla (optional)
walnuts (optional)

1. Add dry ingredients to cup. Mix well.
2. Add egg, mix thoroughly.
3. Pour in milk and oil, mix well.
4. Add chocolate chip, vanilla, walnuts. Mix well.
5. Microwave for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes. Cake will rise. Watch carefully.
6. Allow to cool.

*Recommend chocolate chips, vanilla and walnuts.
My son found this recipe and can make it himself. It's fun!

Enchilada Casserole (with picture)

1 1/2 lb. hamburger, browned and drained
chopped onion
chopped green or yellow peppers (any color or kind will do)
can of green chilies
can of red kidney beans (drained)
cumin
thyme
chili powder
cayenne pepper
1 large can of enchilada sauce, divided
minced garlic
salt
shredded cheese
tortilla chips
sour cream
salsa
sliced black olives, either in meat mixture or on top (optional)

Brown hamburger with onion and drain.  For the meat mixture, add chopped peppers, green chilies, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, chili powder, drained kidney beans, salt, minced garlic, and enough enchilada sauce to make the mixture moist (maybe 1 1/2 cups). Simmer covered until peppers are soft. Layer the following in a greased casserole dish: enchilada sauce to cover the bottom of the pan, coarsely crushed corn tortilla chips, meat mixture, shredded cheese, more crushed tortilla chips, the rest of the enchilada sauce, shredded cheese. Cover and bake 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until heated through. Plate the casserole in a circle, add extra tortilla chips around the casserole and top with sour cream and salsa. 

Pecan Bars (from Edythe Hunter)

CRUST : 

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup butter or oleo, room temperature, cut into pieces

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Mix well with a pastry blender.  Spray cake pan with cooking spray (Pam). Pat it in the greased cake pan on the bottom and up on the sides. Bake crust only at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. When crust is almost done baking, mix the filling.

 

FILLING:

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups light or dark Karo syrup

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

3 Tablespoons butter or margarine melted

2 1/2 cups pecan halves coarsely chopped

 

In large bowl, beat eggs, syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla. Stir in pecans. Immediately pour over hot crust .

 

Bake 25 minutes or until filling is firm around the edges and slightly firm in the center. Freezes well.

 

 

 

Crockpot Pepperoncini Roast

Pepperoncini Roast

This is a recipe that I am making today for the first time. It's a crockpot recipe. Got the link from a friend.