What are some staple foods for vegetarians?

[honestrosewater]

What do vegetarians eat??

I'm a vegetarian now, and I don't know what to eat! I haven't eaten meat for a long time; I had been eating poultry and seafood. But no more. I'm still eating dairy products and eggs.
What are some staples in a vegetarian's diet? Once I get familiar with some of the basics, I can experiment. I'm mostly concerned about nutrition.
Any favorite dishes? I'm up for just about anything.

 

[Mk]

Well, the simple answer is this:

Go back to eating meat.

 

[brewnog]

Eat chicken and fish. They don't count.

 

[Bladibla]

You can try and eat algae

 

[Mk]

I don't like seeeeweeed much. Bleh!

 

[inha]

I don't know what you this in ze english but I'll try to explain... There's this grinded soy bean stuff that you soak in water and then can use it just like you'd use minced meat. I'm not a vegetarian but I still use it a lot since it's cheap as dirt.

Here's one good recipe:

Teh most awesomest mushroom dish

1. Slice up some mushrooms and zucchini and give them some colour on the frying pan
2. Dump creme fraiche and pesto sauce on top of the mushrooms and zucchini and mix the ingredients
3. Serve with pasta.

Simple and yet extremely tasty.

 

[Mk]

Mmmm sounds good, if I liked that kind of food... or knew what creme fraiche was.

 

[Mk]

Creme fraiche sounds like a french pastry doesn't it?

 

[inha]

It's kind of like cooking cream but nothing like it. My vocabulary and dictionary are lacking in cooking terms..

 

[ssj5harsh]

I don't know what vegetarian food is available in your region, but here in India people of my community are usually vegetarians. So I can tell you what we eat:

Bread, butter(OR jam, etc) and milk serve as a good breakfast. Honey is also eaten, but I don't like it so much. Of course, then there is the roti(or chapati). [For the ignorant, this is somewhat like flour wetted, shaped into a circle and cooked]. Parathas also do[this is flour shaped into triangles, usually also stuffed with potatoes, onions, etc]
For vegetables, we have potatoes, ladyfinger, brinjal, etc. Fruits, also find a place.
I hope this was helpful

 

[honestrosewater]

I don't know what you this in ze english but I'll try to explain... There's this grinded soy bean stuff that you soak in water and then can use it just like you'd use minced meat. I'm not a vegetarian but I still use it a lot since it's cheap as dirt.

Tofu? Or miso? I don't even know what the difference is.

Here's one good recipe:

Teh most awesomest mushroom dish

1. Slice up some mushrooms and zucchini and give them some colour on the frying pan
2. Dump creme fraiche and pesto sauce on top of the mushrooms and zucchini and mix the ingredients
3. Serve with pasta.

Simple and yet extremely tasty.

Mmm, that does sound good- I looove mushrooms. Thanks.

 

[Monique]

I'm a vegetarian now, and I don't know what to eat! anything.

You can eat anything that is not meat!

To get your proteins you should include beans in your diet, I love chickpeas. Cook those with tomatoes, onion and indian spices such as coriander and cumin. Finish with freshly cut coriander.

Also include tofu and tempeh, I just fry those with/out spices.

Don't try to replace the meat! I don't like it when people try to use meat-substitutes. A meal can be wholly complete without it, I haven't missed it a day. The only time I have a craving, is when I see those chefs on t.v. cook up some succulent meat.

If you really don't know what to do, buy some Indian cookbook. They have an excellent vegetarian kitchen.

 

[honestrosewater]

I don't know what vegetarian food is available in your region, but here in India people of my community are usually vegetarians. So I can tell you what we eat:

Bread, butter(OR jam, etc) and milk serve as a good breakfast. Honey is also eaten, but I don't like it so much. Of course, then there is the roti(or chapati). [For the ignorant, this is somewhat like flour wetted, shaped into a circle and cooked]. Parathas also do[this is flour shaped into triangles, usually also stuffed with potatoes, onions, etc]
For vegetables, we have potatoes, ladyfinger, brinjal, etc. Fruits, also find a place.
I hope this was helpful

Yes, thank you. Fortunately, just about everything that can enter the US is available to me. How do you cook your breads? I think I could handle flatbreads on a regular basis. It takes all day- and a lot of kneading- to make my grandmother's bread.

 

[Monique]

How do you cook your breads? I think I could handle flatbreads on a regular basis. It takes all day- and a lot of kneading- to make my grandmother's bread.

Why would you have to cook your own bread as a vegetarian? I love parathas, they are a side-dish with dinners, I use them instead of a fork. Just fry them in a little oil until crispy.

 

[honestrosewater]

You can eat anything that is not meat!

Yeah, just joking.

To get your proteins you should include beans in your diet, I love chickpeas. Cook those with tomatoes, onion and indian spices such as coriander and cumin. Finish with freshly cut coriander.

Also include tofu and tempeh, I just fry those with/out spices.

Don't try to replace the meat! I don't like it when people try to use meat-substitutes. A meal can be wholly complete without it, I haven't missed it a day. The only time I have a craving, is when I see those chefs on t.v. cook up some succulent meat.

If you really don't know what to do, buy some Indian cookbook. They have an excellent vegetarian kitchen.

Okay, chickpeas, tofu, and Indian cookbooks are on the list. I'm used to eating lots of fruits, veggies, and grains; It's the beans, legumes, and such that I'm not familiar with. I've tried some things with soy products without much success (except for soy milk in my coffee). I won't try to replace meat. Thanks

 

[honestrosewater]

Why would you have to cook your own bread as a vegetarian?

I wouldn't- I just enjoy cooking and think I could have fun experimenting with breads.

 

[Curious3141]

Look to the culture of a country where vegetarianism is a very popular, even predominant part of the lifestyle. India is probably not the only one, but it's the one I'd recommend, being the most familiar with it. There're a *lot* of vegetarian recipes originating from India, both the South and the North, and many others from other geographical regions as well. I'm Indian, 30 years of age, and I've been lactovegetarian my whole life. No malnutrition to show for it either, I'm 6' 1" and umm...pretty overweight to boot. ;)

Try these sites, there are others, and when you're done with the recipes there, I'll recommend others :

http://www.syvum.com/recipes/ivrindex.html

http://www.recipedelights.com/indianvegdishes.htm

Good luck, and you have my wholehearted support. :)

 

[Monique]

Oh! lentils are really good too, you will find lot of recipes in Indian cookbooks.

I can recommend you some books: the following is just absolutely wonderful, beautiful pictures, background information and recipes:

This book is cheaper, most recipes of the previous on are also in here

This book contains recipes from Asian kitchens, thus not only Indian

I bought them at Barnes and Nobles for a bargain of $6, I'm not sure if you'll still find them there :)

 

[honestrosewater]

Wow, this all sounds delicious. I can't believe I was worried about not having enough variety! Those will keep me busy for a long time, thank you. Mm, I'm getting hungry now.

 

[Monique]

Yeah, just go to an Indian store and get a collection of spices. Cumin, coriander, garam masala, jeera, mustard seeds, curry, cinnamon, cardamom. I like to add yoghurt (the thick variety) to my dishes, it makes a wonderful sauce. Add some sugar if it is too tangy.

I think you will do fine, you'll find that much more variety is possible without meat!

 

[inha]

since chick peas were mentioned... FALAFELS! goddamn falafels are good.

 

[hypatia]

falafels are wonderful! And you can buy a kit that's all natural {Near East brand} that makes it so easy. And of course there's hummous!
You can also freeze tofu..thaw it{it changes it texture} slice it thin, bread it and fry it. Crunchy snacks you can dip in marinara, or ranch.

 

[brewnog]

I had falafel for the first time the other day. I was utterly impressed. Though it pains me to say it, it was almost as good as meat.

 

[honestrosewater]

Okay, falafel too. Thanks.

 

[arildno]

And you really should eat whale!
Whale is yummy good!

Here's a site for whale meat recipes:
http://www.highnorth.no/Library/Culture/Recipes/no-wh-me.htm

 

[Dr.Brain]

Indian food is the best thing to eat if you are a vegetarian..!... I have been a vege all my life...and God I am healthy!..try out some sites for Indian foood...Google it!

 

[honestrosewater]

And you really should eat whale!
Whale is yummy good!

Here's a site for whale meat recipes:
http://www.highnorth.no/Library/Culture/Recipes/no-wh-me.htm

Thinking whales are fish is understandable, but thinking they're plants... Or were you joking?

 

[JamesU]

Well, the simple answer is this:

Go back to eating meat.

exactly...I never understood why anyone becomes a vegitarian

 

[Evo]

Thinking whales are fish is understandable, but thinking they're plants... Or were you joking?

He's Norweedish, that should explain it all.

 

[Moonbear]

exactly...I never understood why anyone becomes a vegitarian

You don't have to understand, just accept that it is their choice.

I do love Indian food as well. It's definitely a tasty cuisine and a healthy way to be vegetarian.

And don't get me started craving falafel! I love those. I like them wrapped up in a pita with that sauce on them...darn...what's that sauce called?...anyway, I think I'm addicted to that sauce.

I could never be vegetarian. I don't plan my meals far enough in advance to account for things like soaking beans overnight.

 

[Evo]

I could never be vegetarian. I don't plan my meals far enough in advance to account for things like soaking beans overnight.

I've found that the soaking isn't necessary. All those years of soaking then one day I had a craving and just boiled them right out of the bag and found I couldn't tell the difference. You just need to cook them a bit longer.

 

[Integral]

Diet for a small planet is a great one to start your vegetarian adventure with. It explains a lot about how to get the protein you need in your diet, without resorting to meat.

This is getting to be an old book, but I'll bet the basic principles is discusses are still valid.

 

[JamesU]

the only reason I can think of to become a vegitarian is if you hate plants

 

[brewnog]

Quoting Toadie from Neighbours:

"If God had wanted us to be vegetarians, cows would be plants".

 

[Danger]

"If God had wanted us to be vegetarians, cows would be plants".

Thanks, Nogger! This thread was beginning to depress me. I'm feeling a real need to go out and kill something for lunch.

 

[Evo]

Portobello mushrooms and eggplant are both satisfying meat replacements.

 

[Huckleberry]

I'm not a vegetarian, but portobello mushrooms are one of my favorites. I cook them up like steaks with liver and onions and garlic in a butter sauce. I guess the liver would be no good for a vegetarian, but pasta or eggplant would be okay. I love fried mushrooms.

 

[brewnog]

I never used to like mushrooms, but Huck's right. You can fry them up with a load of garlic and butter, with a dash of parsley, and if you're feeling really adventurous, some lemon juice. And falafel really is that good, I was almost ashamed of myself to admit that the first time round.

But you just can't beat a big juicy steak which bleeds, and I've never been to North America so I probably don't even know what a proper big juicy steak even looks like.

This probably isn't the best thread to mention the hog-roast I'm trying to plan, but Danger, you're more than welcome to come!

 

[Danger]

This probably isn't the best thread to mention the hog-roast I'm trying to plan, but Danger, you're more than welcome to come!

Best offer I've had all day!

 

[arildno]

Thinking whales are fish is understandable, but thinking they're plants... Or were you joking?

No, I was just trying to subvert your lofty ideals

Don't mind me and my eating habits though; as Evo has said, I'm just a Norwegian barbarian (i.e, hobbit according to Huckleberry).

 

[Evo]

Not too many vegetarian vikings? Plundering & pillaging all the vegetable gardens...

 

[honestrosewater]

Yes, I love mushrooms. One of my favorites: I guess you can do this with any mushroom that will work (the cap needs to be bowl-shaped)- small to medium sized would be best. Remove the stems (discard or reuse), clean caps and place upside down on a baking sheet. Fill the caps with parmesean, a little olive oil or butter, add salt, pepper and whatever else you like to some bread crumbs and sprinkle on top. Broil for, eh, I never paid attention- 15 minutes maybe- until bread crumbs brown. Be careful when you eat them- they're juicy! mmmmm.

 

[Danger]

Not too many vegetarian vikings? Plundering & pillaging all the vegetable gardens...

They save the cattle for raping... (They're not all that far away from Wales, you know.)

 

[honestrosewater]

No, I was just trying to subvert your lofty ideals

Don't mind me and my eating habits though; as Evo has said, I'm just a Norwegian barbarian (i.e, hobbit according to Huckleberry).

Do you really eat whale? Regularly or special occasion? What does it taste like?

 

[arildno]

Sure I eat whale; it is excellent barbeque meat, for example.
It is rather expensive, though.

 

[arildno]

They save the cattle for raping... (They're not all that far away from Wales, you know.)

As you probably know, there was an abundance of sheep in Norway, so the didn't have to raid for them; instead, the Vikings began sheep-breeding on the Orkneys and Shetland Islands..