Who says vegetarian meals need to be boring or flavorless? For that matter, why can’t the whole family enjoy a meat-free meal? Here are some absolutely mouthwatering vegetarian dishes you can try at home and even the kids will love!
Peanut Squash Stew
This stew is high in protein and fiber, combining comfort food with health-friendly additions like peanut butter and acorn squash. Kids will be able to recognize what they’re eating, and enjoy the sweet flavor of the squash.
To make it, cook two chopped onions over medium heat until translucent, then add one tablespoon grated ginger, three chopped cloves of garlic, two teaspoons kosher salt, and one teaspoon ground cumin. Cook for a few minutes then add four cups of vegetable broth, one 28-ounce can of tomato puree, and 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 medium chopped acorn squash, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
Cook the stew over medium heat for thirty minutes then add 2 cans of rinsed black-eyed peas. Serve over brown rice with chopped roasted peanuts on top. You can also make the meal special by serving the stew with fresh-baked Klosterman Baking Company rolls.
Black Bean Quesadillas
Want a fast, easy vegetarian recipe you can throw together after a long day at work? These quesadillas are flavorful, filling, and good for you too.
Start by combining 1 can of rinsed black beans with 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and 1/4 cup prepared salsa. Spread 1/2 cup of filling on each half of four whole-wheat tortillas. Fold tortillas in half and press gently.
Heat a teaspoon of canola oil in a skillet and cook quesadillas, turning once, until they’re golden on both sides. Serve with fresh salsa and diced avocado.
Easy Vegetarian Pizza
Who doesn’t love pizza? Try skipping delivery and making your own pizza for this week’s pizza night. You can use a store-bought pizza crust, or make your own by dissolving one package of dry active yeast with 1 teaspoon white sugar in 1 cup of warm water. Let stand for 10 minutes then stir in 2-and-a-half cups of bread flour, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt. Beat until smooth, let rest for five minutes, then roll into a round.
Next comes the pizza sauce. Combine one can of tomato paste with six ounces of warm water, three tablespoons grated Parmesan, one teaspoon minced garlic, two tablespoons honey, and your favorite seasonings (such as onion powder, marjoram, basil, oregano, dried red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper).
From there, get creative with your toppings! You can try sauteed veggies, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus with ricotta cheese, butternut squash, artichoke, and arugula, or a combination of your favorite cheeses.
As you can see, it’s easy to adapt your favorite recipes to be completely meat-free with just a little thought. Vegetarian dishes CAN be tasty, filling, and satisfying for the whole family and they don’t need to take a full day to prepare.
