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Good Vegetarian

Roasted Tomato & Capsicum Soup

August 23rd 2008 08:52
It's nearly the end of winter, but it's still pretty chilly so soup remains a tempting dinner choice. And as my darling says to me: "It's good lazy food." I couldn't have put it better myself.

This soup is easy and yum.

Roasted Tomaroes & Capsicum Soup (2 serves)

What you need:
4 large tomatoes
1 large red capsicum
1 small brown onion
2 cloves garlic
fresh basil

Roughly chop and bake the veggies with a little olive oil, salt and black pepper. Once they're tender, push them through a sieve, reheat the mixture and serve with freshly baked bread. Preferably by an open fire or by candlelight.

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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Quick Meals
   


Perfect Porridge for a Brilliant Brekkie

April 22nd 2008 08:12
Porridge is an ideal breakfast (especially on cold winter mornings!) because it provides long-lasting energy. Oats are a low GI (Glycemic Index) food, which means it takes your body longer to break down and utilise their energy. You'll also get great fibre, antioxidants and calcium from oats.

Cat Wants Porridge



Cinnamon Porridge (4 – 6 serves)

What you need:

2 cups rolled oats
2 cups water
2 cups soy milk
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp dessicated coconut
1 Tbsp nuts or seeds (any combination of sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, ground linseed)
1 pear or 1 apple, grated
1 banana, sliced
1 Tbsp honey

What to do:

Combine oats, fruit, coconut, nuts/seeds, milk and water in a pot. Leave this mix to stand for 15 minutes, before cooking on a low heat for 20 minutes, stirring continuously. Serve with honey and banana.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Breakfast
   


Tomato and Basil Pesto

April 20th 2008 13:42
Pesto has to be one of the best things in life - tasty, versatile and easy as pie to make. Try this delightful tomato and basil pesto. It's great to serve with crackers, bread, sundried tomatoes, avocado and your favourite cheeses, or simply mixed with pasta.

O pesto, you're the besto!

Basil Pesto


Pesto Trapanese

What you need:

1 bunch of basil leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed
50g almonds, skinned
1 medium tomato, skinned
150ml olive oil

What to do:

Blend basil, garlic and almonds until minced. Chop tomato and add to blender. Pour in olive oil gradually until pesto has a thick consistency.

You can also add parmesan cheese if you like, or replace almonds with other nuts/seeds (walnuts, pine nuts or sunflower seeds). And while basil is brilliant, parsley also makes a good pesto that's packed with iron.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Snacks
   


Cashew and Carrot Curry Soup

April 19th 2008 13:33
Carrots never tasted so good... and they're good for you too.

Carrots? Healthy and packed with carotene, which your body will convert to Vitamin A for the health of your eyes and skin.

Cashews? A tasty nut giving a hit of protein and iron, both essential elements of a vegetarian diet.

Carrot Soup


Curried Carrot and Cashew Soup (serves 4)

What you need:

500g carrots
2 small onions
1 Tbsp butter or dairy-free spread
1 –2 Tbsp curry powder
1-2 tsp cumin powder
3 cups water
1 cup toasted cashew nuts

What to do:

Slice carrots and chop onions finely. Melt butter, add curry powder and chopped onions, then saute until onions are soft. Add the carrots and water, then simmer until carrots are tender. Blend cashew nuts until finely ground. Drain carrots and onion, then add to blender. Season with salt & pepper. Reheat to serve. Top each serving with parsley and plain yoghurt.

This soup can be served on its own as a meal with wholegrain bread, or as a starter to whet your appetite.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Quick Meals
   


Apricot and Coconut Balls

April 19th 2008 08:52
Maybe I have an obsession with sugar, or suuuugggaaar. At any rate, I seem to be suffering from sweet-tooth cravings at the moment and discovered these apricot and coconut balls. Bless 'em, you can also shape the mix into a log and cut into little pieces, which can be kept in a container in the fridge for sweet-afternoon-treats. Or so I've heard.

Apricots will also give you a health boost - with dietary fibre, vitamin A, beta-carotene and antioxidants!

Dried Apricots and Nuts


Apricot and Coconut Balls

What you need:

1 1/2 cups dried apricots
1 cup orange juice
zest of one lemon
juice of one lemon
1 1/2 cups flaked or dessicated coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds...)
raw sugar

What to do:

Put apricots and orange juice in a small pot and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and cover, then leave for ten minutes so that apricots absorb the juice. Drain, then place apricots in blender with coconut and nuts. Pulse blend until mixture is fine. Add zest and lemon juice. Remove from blender and shape into balls or log. Roll lightly in sugar and a little dessicated coconut. If mixture seems dry, add more OJ.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Snacks, Baking
   


Easy Tofu and Tomato Pasta

April 18th 2008 13:21
Don't even think about suggesting that tofu is vile and tasteless... despite all the bad press, it's actually a versatile and delicious source of protein. This recipe combines the soy king with tomatoes and pasta to create a quick and easy vegetarian (and vegan) meal.

Tofu


Easy Tofu and Tomato Pasta (serves 4)

What you need:

2-3 cloves garlic
1 large onion
2 Tbsp oil
1 green pepper
300-500g tofu
¼ cup red or white wine
425g tomato puree
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp basil
1 tsp marjoram
dash hot chilli sauce
salt & pepper
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
400-500g spaghetti or fettucine

What to do:

Crush and chop garlic, and finely chop onion. Saute in oil. When onion is soft, add green pepper and cook a few minutes longer. Crumble tofu into 5mm pieces and add to mixture. Cook for 5 minutes. Add wine, tomato puree and seasonings, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Cook pasta and mix with oil. Top with sauce and parsley.

Makes me hungry just thinking about it...

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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Quick Meals
   


How to Make Hummus DIY Style

April 18th 2008 12:57
Hands up who buys hummus from the supermarket. I bet if you do, you also have an annoying voice at the back of your mind telling you that it's easy to MAKE YOUR OWN!

The chickpea (or garbanzo) is the primary ingredient in hummus and an excellent food for us veggie-types:

- A good source of protein
- High in fibre
- Fat-free
- Contains folate and magnesium (both excellent for reducing the risk of heart disease)

Homemade Hummus


So, here's how to make hummus:

Hummus

What you need:

¾ cup chickpeas, soaked overnight
2 Tbsp tahini
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper

What to do:

Drain chickpeas, place in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 2 hours until soft. Add a little salt towards end of cooking. Drain, keeping ½ cup of water. Place the chickpeas in a blender with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, oil, cooking liquid, and salt & pepper. Blend.

Couldn't be easier! Hummus is great as a dip or spread. Keep it in the covered in the fridge to use over 3-4 days.

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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Snacks
   


The Benefits of Brown Rice

April 17th 2008 12:42
Your mother may have told you that brown rice is better than white, but do you know why?

It takes longer to cook, but brown rice beats white rice hands down because it's packed with fibre. White rice is just brown rice with the bran husk removed - during this process, most of the nutritional benefits are lost.

You'll get health benefits from eating brown rice:

- Wholegrain energy (the carbohydrates contained in brown rice are released at a slower rate into your body, preventing sugar highs and lows, and giving you longer-lasting energy)

- Essential fats (contained in the outer shell of the rice grain, these are lost when brown rice is refined to white rice)

- Vitamins and minerals (including B1, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, selenium and manganese)

Brown Rice


Try this easy vegetarian rice recipe...

Good Greens with Brown Rice (serves 2 – 4)

What you need:

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion
4 cloves garlic
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 cup broccoli
1 cup green beans
1 cup brown rice
4 cups water
1 pinch of cayenne pepper
grated fresh ginger

What to do:

Peel and chop onion and garlic, then place in a saucepan with small amount of water. Add olive oil, seasonings and spinach, then stir in brown rice and add 4 cups water. Turn heat up until water is boiling, then simmer until all water is absorbed.

Could. It. Be. Any. Simpler? And it's got the greens - bet your mum told you to eat those.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Quick Meals
   


Seeking Italian Beans with Good Taste and Body

April 16th 2008 12:49
You: Italian, impeccably dressed, lean, with good taste and versatility.

Me: A vegetarian craving that certain Italian something.

This easy Italian bean recipe might be just what I'm looking for!

Italian Style Beans


Italian-style Beans (serves 4)

What you need:

250g haricot beans
2 cloves garlic
2 medium onions
1 green capsicum
2 ripe tomatoes
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh parsley
1 tsp dried sage
black pepper

What to do:

Cook haricot beans until tender (or use canned beans). Heat olive oil in a pan, then saute garlic and onions with sage and black pepper (be careful not to burn). Add capsicum and heat until soft. Add tomato paste, beans and parsley. Heat through and serve.

These Italian hotties are great with broccoli and green beans, or a fresh green salad.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: Quick Meals
   


Tropical Fruit Juice For Summer

April 15th 2008 12:50
A tonic for a hot summer's day, this tropical juice is easy to make and guaranteed to taste better than any juice you'll buy in a carton. Get your blender or juicer on the job.

Pineapple


Tropicaaaal Juuuice (serves 2)

What you need:

2 oranges
1 grapefruit
4 passionfruits
1 mango
1/2 pineapple
2 limes
2 kiwifruit

What to do:

Juice or blend all fruits, pour over ice in a tall glass, then garnish with a strawberry and fresh mint leaves.

Image from Flickr.com
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Posted By: Greta Simpson - Category: No Category
   


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