Recipe: Zucchini Casserole

It is summer, and if your garden is anything like mine you have enough zucchini to feed an army. If not, the farmers markets have them in abundance, and they’re very inexpensive right now.

This recipe was originally given to me by my niece and has been used by our family for years. It is the one all the kids ask for when they leave home and start cooking for themselves. I have made a few adjustments to make it even more vegetarian (healthy). In our house it is the main course and always served with cranberry sauce.

Ingredients:

3 c. cubed zucchini (do not peel)

3 lg. carrots, shredded

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 can cream of mushroom or celery soup

1 c. Sour Supreme imitation sour cream

1/4 – 1/2 c. margarine or organic butter (you decide which you think is the healthier choice)

1/2 bag Pepperidge Farms Herb Flavored Stuffing Mix (The original recipe calls for 1 box of Stove Top Stuffing Mix, but they all contain chicken broth, so I don’t use it)

LIGHTLIFE Chick’n Style Strips, 1/2 package, chopped (optional)*

Method:

Stir fry the zucchini, carrots, and onion until just tender (do not add water as zucchini is very moist). Set aside.

In a bowl mix together the soup and imitation sour cream.*If you are using the optional Chick’n Strips add those to the bowl now and gently stir. (It’s good with or without them).

In a pot melt the margarine (or butter), remove from heat, and add stuffing mix. Toss to coat.

In a glass casserole dish layer:

1/2 stuffing mixture

the zucchini stir-fry mixture

the soup/ imitation sour cream mixture

the remaining 1/2 stuffing mixture

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes

This recipe may be doubled for a crowd — just bake it a little longer.

Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

This is a so-o-o simple recipe for times when you are out of greens (or just want a change from a green salad), but still want to have a fresh salad with your meal. There are only two main ingredients plus my favorite honey/lemon dressing which I use on many salads. It’s a sweet/tangy flavor that appeals to adults and kids.

Salad Ingredients:

3 cups grated raw organic carrots (about 3 large carrots)

1/2 cup organic raisins

Dressing Ingredients:

Juice of one lemon

Equal amount of honey

Whisk lemon juice and honey together, and pour mixture over grated carrots and raisins. Refrigerate until served.

Grilled Sweet Corn

This is another good recipe for those who are wondering what a vegetarian could possibly throw on the grill for supper. We like to grill corn on the cob in the husks. This requires soaking the ears for at least one hour.
If the corn has a lot of silk you can peel back only the top half layers of husk and remove as much silk as possible. Then rewrap the husks over the corn. Or, you can cut off as much silk as is hanging outside the husks. Usually I just leave it on. Once the corn is grilled the husk and silk remove easily, and that is part of the fun of eating outdoors anyway, and a way to get your guests involved in the fun, too.
Once the silk issue is dealt with, simply put the ears of corn in the sink and fill it with enough water to completely cover, and let them soak. I like to do this on a Sunday just before leaving for church. Then, when we get home and fire up the grill the corn is all ready to go.
Remove the corn from the water and shake to remove excess water. Place on cooking grate and cook on indirect/medium heat for about 25 minutes, turning 3 times. Husks may get brown and shriveled — don’t worry about that.
The corn will be very hot! Wear gloves or use ovenmitts to protect your hands while husking. (Each person husks his own ear of corn, so have a bucket handy for husks).
REMEMBER: organic corn is always your best choice.

*Creamy Herb Dressing, from “More Choices” by Cheryl D. Thomas-Peters, RD and James A Peters, MD, DrPH, RD

Ingredients:
1/2 cup 1 percent tofu, soft
2 Tbsp. tofu or soy or nonfat milk
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 – 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. fresh dill or 1/2 – 1 tsp dried dill

1. Combine all ingredients except the dill in the blender and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the blender as needed. Add more milk as needed to get a consistency that is quite thin and pourable.*

2. Pour into bowl and stir in dill. Add more lemon juice if a tangier taste is preferred.

Makes 1 cup
prep time: 5 minutes

*This dressing can be made thinner so it’s pourable, or thicker if used for a dip. It can be made with a variety of herbs, preferably fresh herbs for the best flavor.

Broiled Summer Vegetable Wraps

When summer comes everyone wants to grill something delicious and eat outside. Vegetarians are often clueless about what to do when that urge strikes. When your meat-eating friends are grilling steaks and chicken, what are you supposed to do? Nuke another veggie burger?
We have found that grilled or broiled Vegetable Wraps are not only delicious, but beautiful — much more colorful and appetizing than a hunk of brown meat. Plus, you can do all the slicing and dicing the day before and allow the veggies to marinate overnight. The next day you only have to broil or grill them for a few minutes, and they’re ready to wrap.

Ingredients:
Any combination of 1/2 inch sliced zucchini, yellow summer squash, eggplant, and red, green, and/or yellow sweet peppers . (Slice enough to fill a large oblong glass lasagna-type casserole dish).
1 large onion cut into eighths
2 – 3 cloves of thinly sliced fresh garlic

Marinade:
1/3 c olive oil
2 – 3 Tbsps. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
Drizzle marinade mixture over vegetables and gently stir and toss to coat them. (Use more marinade if desired). Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day:
Preheat oven on BROIL setting. Spread marinated vegetables on a large PAM-sprayed baking sheet (with sides). Broil for 4 minutes, turn veggies, broil for another 4 minutes. Repeat until done. This doesn’t take too long — about 10 – 15 minutes total. The veggies will be done when they are slightly wilted and browned. — OR —
If you want to use your outdoor gas grill instead of the oven broiler, just put the prepared vegetables on a double thickness of PAM-sprayed heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cover with another double layer foil, and securely seal edges. Place on center grate and turn package over once or twice during cooking.
Serve on wraps with veggie cheese and Creamy Herb Dressing*

Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes

This is a super simple recipe that I use for picnic dinners. There is minimal preparation (quick!) and clean-up (gotta love that!), and it’s so-o-o yummy your family will beg for seconds. You can alter the seasonings by using whatever you prefer, but the preparation and baking times remain the same. I usually serve this cook-out favorite with veggie burgers, vegetarian baked beans, and some type of salad.

INGREDIENTS:

6 large potatoes (cut into planks)

1/4 c. light olive oil

1 packet Taco Seasoning, Hidden Valley Salad Dressing Mix, or any kind of seasoning mix you like — you choose. I have even made my own mix (using salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder), and it turned out great.

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Spray a large oblong baking pan with PAM or olive oil.

Scrub and dry potatoes. Cut each potatoes lengthwise into 6 – 8 planks.

In a large plastic bag (a gallon size freezer bag works well) place all ingredients. Close tightly and shake to completely coat and season all the potatoes.

Spread potatoes on prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, flip potatoes over, and bake for another 20 minutes. That’s it!

Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

This is another good way to use Vegetarian Taco “Meat.” It is also an excellent way to use leftover brown rice and mashed potatoes. (I always like to cook large quantities of rice and Taco “Meat” so there is always some in the freezer to use in this recipe). I have served this Shepherd’s Pie to carnivores, and they don’t believe me when I tell them that it really doesn’t contain any meat. It is a hearty, filling meal served with any vegetarian gravy (Hain’s gravy mixes are good in a pinch — just add water, heat, and stir and you have gravy!)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. Taco “Meat” (see recipe)

1 1/2 c. cooked brown rice

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

1 small carrot, diced

1 c. bread crumbs

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. each dried parsley and basil

3/4 sea salt, if desired

2 tsp. oil

In a small pan saute the onions in oil until translucent. Then add celery, garlic, and carrot; cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Put vegetables into a large mixing bowl and add bread crumbs, rice, and Taco “Meat.” Add the dijon mustard and spices; mix well. (Add a little water or broth if it seems too dry. It should be the consistency of raw meatloaf).

Place mixture in a lightly oiled 9″ x 9″ baking pan. Spread a thick layer of mashed potatoes on top (I have used prepared instant mashed potatoes when I didn’t have leftover mashed, and they work great).

Bake uncovered for 30 – 40 minutes at 375 degrees. (When done you may want to sprinkle a little rice Parmesan cheese or Gomasio (sesame seasoning) on top just for looks. Serve with vegetarian gravy and a salad.

Recipe: Vegetarian Deep Dish Taco Squares

This is a recipe that was given to me by my niece, Debbie. I have changed some of the ingredients to make it vegetarian, and it is delicious. This is something perfect to take to a picnic or covered dish dinner. Bet there won’t be any left to take home!

1 recipe for Vegetarian Taco “Meat” (above)

1/3 c. vegetarian sour cream (I use Sour Supreme, Better Than Sour Cream, by Tofutti)

1/3 c. Vegenaise

1/2 c. shredded cheddar veggie cheese

1 Tbsp. chopped onion

1 c. Bisquick baking mix

1/4 c. cold water

1 – 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a square baking pan (8″x8″ or 9″x9″)

In a bowl mix together the Sour Supreme, Vegenaise, veggie cheese, and onion; reserve.

In another bowl mix the baking mix and water together until a soft dough forms.

Pat the dough into the prepared pan, pressing the dough 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan. Layer taco “meat,” tomatoes, and green pepper in the pan. Spoon Sour Supreme mixture over the top. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.

Bake about 25 – 30 minutes until edges of dough are light brown. Enjoy!

Recipe: Vegetarian Taco “Meat”

This is an easy meat substitute our family prefers when we have tacos. (Of course, you could always use the frozen veggie crumbles from the supermarket, but this is so much cheaper. You can make it for less than 1/3 the cost!) Just use this in place of the normal taco meat, add lettuce, tomatoes, veggie cheese, and whatever else you desire, and you will have a fun, everyone-makes-his-own meal.

I usually triple this recipe so that I have leftovers to freeze. Then I always have some ready to use in other recipes. I will post some recipes which include this Taco “Meat”, and you will see just how versatile it is.

1 c. dry lentils (sort and rinse)

2 c. water, add more if needed

1/4 c. chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pkg. dry taco seasoning

Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acids to taste

Cook lentils in water until tender (30-45 minutes). Meanwhile, steam saute the onions and garlic for a few minutes and add to lentils. When lentils are almost done add dry taco seasoning and Sazon or Bragg’s to taste. Serve in place of meat filling in tacos.

Recipe: Lentil Loaf

I must applaud my husband, who has been a real sport about sampling, and even learning to like, all the “bunny food” and tofu I have served him over the last 9 years when he joined me in this vegetarian lifestyle. Once upon a time my husband told me that his favorite meal was meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, and peas. Let me assure you it has been A LONG TIME since he’s had that meal! So he was more than pleased when I served this Lentil Loaf last night with, you guessed it, mashed potatoes, gravy, and peas.

I found this recipe on-line. It was listed as an adaptation of a recipe in Linda McCartney’s Home Cooking vegetarian cookbook. I made a couple of changes myself, and think it is a wonderful meatless loaf recipe. I found that it is best to make it ahead of time (the day before is good) because that gives the loaf time to firm up in the pan. After it is completely cooled you can easily slice and reheat individual portions to serve.

1 1/2 c. lentils

1 c. grated veggie cheddar cheese

1 onion chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp. dried herbs (I used poultry seasoning)

1 c. Italian breadcrumbs

1 egg replacer (I used Ener-G Egg Replacer)

3 Tbs. organic butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 1 lb. loaf pan with PAM or equivalent.

Wash lentils and drain. Cover lentils with 3 – 3 1/2 c. water in a large saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer 20-30 minutes until fairly soft.

Mix in veggie cheese, onions, salt, pepper, and herbs.

Add breadcrumbs, egg replacer, and butter to the lentil mixture. (Add more breadcrumbs if it seems too wet and sloppy).

Press mixture into prepared loaf pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool completely before removing from pan.

Serve with vegetarian gravy.