Veggie Recipe

Humans have been eating meat and animal products for many millennia, ever since evolution began and they evolved from apes. Vegetarianism on the other hand is a few thousand years old, and Veganism is just a few decades old and is an extreme form or subset of vegetarianism, where all animal products are avoided. Whatever food is consumed, whether meat based, veg, or vegan, cooking is an integral part of eating food and this requires Recipes. There are thousands of Vegetarian Recipes, Vegan Recipes and Recipes for meat based dishes that are available on hundreds of websites.

Some of these Home cooking recipes have been handed down through generations from mother to daughter and mother-in-law to daughter-in-law. Although humans have been consuming vegetables and plant products, along with meat and other animal products, for many millennia, vegetarianism dissuades consumption of all types of meat, and eggs too. Some communities do not consider eggs as a non-vegetarian item, but in countries like India, eggs are not considered vegetarian and are not consumed by strict vegetarians. Many individuals are used to meat and egg based dishes, along with a few veggies in salads and soups. But they are unaware that there are thousands of Veg Recipes available that can be used to make a complete meal, including soups, starters, appetizers, main course dishes, and desserts.

Vegetarianism evolved with religions and cultures over many millennia. Many religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism have strict rules regarding food consumption. Meat and eggs, and products made from these are strictly prohibited in many religions, castes, and communities. Thus evolved the dependence on vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices. This led to the evolution of Vegetarian Recipes over the millennia, with each caste, community, and even individual households having their own variations of standard recipes and ways to cook food. Vegetarianism is gaining ground in western countries like the US, UK, and Europe, but the opposite is happening in Eastern countries like India, where people are becoming more aware of western meat dishes and recipes.

Although vegetarianism does not exclude animal products like milk, and products made from milk, like butter, Ghee, sweets, chocolates, desserts, ice creams, etc, Veganism excludes these too. Donald Watson and Elsie Shringley started veganism and the Vegan Society in 1944. Veganism excludes all animal products as food, including milk and milk products. Anything that involves exploitation of animals for food, clothing, or any purpose is excluded for use. As veganism evolved, so did Vegan Recipes, which excluded all animal products for food consumptions. Veganism still includes all vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices, and there are hundreds of Recipes available for vegans.

Although Fast food and eating out in restaurants has become a necessity due to the hectic lifestyle, many families are turning back to healthy home cooking and the recipes handed down from past generations are coming in handy. Many individuals are also willing to try new Veg Recipes, meat and egg based Recipes and even Vegan Recipes. As they say, variety is the spice of life, and adding some variety to daily meals is sure to entice the family back to the dining table, instead of ordering pizzas and burgers, or taking the family out to lunch and dinner, which is an expensive affair.

For people who have been eating meat and have very recently switched over to being vegetarian would certainly find it difficult to getting used to eating only greens. For these meat eaters who have converted to vegetarianism, there are many vegetarian cooking recipes that will make them want to continue being a vegetarian. Here are a couple of vegetarian recipes that meat eaters would like to try out.

Meat eaters would certainly like to try out this tasty recipe called Vegetarian Chili. In this recipe there is no meat products used and that’s why it is called vegetarian chili.

Vegetarian Chili

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil preferably in a pan to which you can add 2 to 3 coarsely chopped medium onions and 2 teaspoons of garlic which has been finely chopped and stir fry well till they are cooked. Add 2 cups of frozen whole sweet corn and sauté well. Also add a bagful of a mixture of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, a can of red kidney beans that have been washed and drained, a can of chick peas, and 2 whole cans of tomatoes which have been diced along with green chilies. To this add a can of tomato sauce and 2 teaspoons of chili powder,3 spoons cumin powder, salt to taste and also a dash of ground red pepper. Leave the mixture to boil for at least 20 minutes over medium flame making sure that you stir the ingredients once in a while. Cook till you find the vegetables to be crispy and yet tender and the chili hot.

Vegetable Lasagna

Vegetables Needed

Olive oil cooking spray

2 medium bell peppers, which have been cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium onion, slit into 8 wedges, and separated into pieces

2 medium sliced zucchini,

1 package fresh whole mushrooms, which have been sliced

1/2 teaspoon salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Tomato Sauce

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped garlic

1 can (28 oz) Progresso® tomato puree

3 tablespoons freshly chopped or 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves

3 tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Lasagna

12 uncooked lasagna noodles

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Start by having your oven pre heated to 450 degrees F. Use the cooking spray to oil a 15×10x1 inch pan and inside the pan place the bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini evenly in a single layer. Also spray on the lined vegetables and sprinkle using salt and pepper.

Have this baked for 20-25 minutes making sure to have the vegetables turned at least once and cook till tender.

Take a 2 quart saucepan and have it sprayed with oil, add the onions and garlic and cook over medium flame for at least 2 minutes making sure to stir occasionally. Add in all the remaining ingredients for making sauce and leave to boil and then reduced the flame. Allow to simmer for at least 15 to 20 minutes till it thickens considerably.

Take the packet of noodles and have them cooked according to the instructions on it. Drain the excess water and keep aside. In a separate bowl mix the cheeses well and keep aside.

Reduce the temperature of the oven to 400 degrees F. In a glass baking dish spray some oil and a quarter of the sauce spread at the bottom. Over this spread the 3 different noodles. Again pour the remaining sauce and spread evenly till the noodles are fully covered. Over this ad the cooked vegetables and over this mixture spread the cheese mixture. Have this baked without any cover for at least 25 minutes or till done. Allow to cool before you serve.

One of the best ways to enjoy the delicious vegetarian cooking is by cooking some asian dish. You can cook any of the various Asian vegetarian cooking recipes. Some individuals like to choose their own Asian vegetarian cooking that is their favorite while others like to try something new from the list of Asian vegetarian cooking. Some of the great recipes are as follows:

(I) Indian Lentils with Rice:

You need to have the following ingredients to cook this dish.

1) finely chopped one tablespoon gingerroot

2) finely chopped two garlic cloves

3) five 1/4 cups of vegetable broth

4) one teaspoon of ground turmeric

5) one cup chopped large tomato (1 tomato)

6) two teaspoons of dried mint leaves or fresh mint leaves that are chopped

7) one 1/2 cups of plain fat-free yogurt

eight chopped medium green onions(1/2 cup)

9) crushed red pepper (1/8 teaspoon)

10) one 1/2 cups or 12 ounces of dried lentils, rinsed and sorted

11) half teaspoon salt

12) one-fourth cup shredded coconut

13) three cups of hot cooked rice

Now just follow some cooking steps as,

First of all, spray cooking spray on 3-quart saucepan. Now, cook gingerroot, garlic, onions and red pepper in saucepan. Until onions become tender stir occasionally themixed ingredients in saucepan on medium flame for three to five minutes.

Secondly, stir turmeric, lentils and salt in five cups of broth. Reduce heat once it reaches the boiling stage. Cover the dish and let it simmer for about half an hour until the lentils are tender. If required, add remaining broth.

Thirdly, you need to stir the mixture in coconut, mint and tomato. Serve the dish with yogurt over rice.

(II) Spicy Confetti Noodles:

You need to have the following ingredients to cook this dish.

1) two medium bell peppers

2) ten ounces of uncooked spaghetti or two packages of Japanese curly noodles of five ounces each

3) 1/3 cup water

4) half teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules

5) two tablespoons soy sauce

6) one teaspoon curry powder

7) two finely chopped garlic cloves

three medium green onions

9) medium carrots

10) two teaspoons sesame oil

11) 1/4 cup of water or dry sherry

12) finely chopped one tablespoon gingerroot

13) one tablespoon of chili puree with garlic

14) 1/4 teaspoon of sugar

Now just follow some cooking steps as,

First of all, cut the onions into two inch pieces. Then cut these pieces into thin strips. You need to cut carrots into julienne strips and bell peppers into thin strips.

Secondly, read the instructions on the package and cook noodles accordingly. Then, toss the noodles along with some oil in a large bowl. Stir carrots, bell peppers and onions.

Thirdly, you need to mix the remaining ingredients in 12-inch skillet or wok. Stir occasionally on medium heat and to boiling. Add noodle mixture and toss it with some sauce. Stir the contents constantly and heat it properly.

(III) Indian Split Peas along with vegetables

You need to have the following ingredients to cook this dish.

1) 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin or 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seed

2) finely chopped and seeded two jalapeno chilies

3) two cups of cooked yellow split peas

4) drained and rinsed two cups of Green Giant frozen sweet peas and one can of Progresso black beans.

5) two teaspoons vegetable oil

6) 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

7) three cups or one pound cauliflowerets

1/4 cup vegetable broth or chicken

Now just follow some cooking steps as,

First of all, heat the oil over medium-high in a 10-inch sillet. Stir occasionally and cook chillies, turmeric and cumin in oil for two minutes.

Secondly, stir broth and cauliflowerets and cook for around 3 to 4 minutes. Cook until the cauliflowerets are tender.

Add all the remaining ingredients into the sillet and stir occasionally. Cook for about five minutes until it is hot.