Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Veggie meals needed please Fri 22 Jun 2007, 6:41 pm

Im looking for some vegetarian meals.I think if I can create or find some good veggie dishes,,the family will eat it with out noticing there isnt any meat in it,,lol.Plus veggie dishes are cheaper on the budget.

Also,,Im searching the web for recipes also,,but Im fingding alot of recipes call for tofu,,has any of you had tofu before..if so is it expensive and whats it taste like.I like trying something new,,but not sure about that one,,lol.

Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sat 23 Jun 2007, 5:32 am

I cant help you here Donna as we don't eat any strictly vegetarian meals.We should as it is healthier and I could save even more
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Vicki

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Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sat 23 Jun 2007, 7:46 pm

we eat alot of meatless meal ... there are alot of recipes posted here ..

lately we been eatly alot healthier because of the season we eat alot of veggies and pasta ..

my Family doesnt like tofu.. the only place to get it is at the health food and its expensive.
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sat 23 Jun 2007, 11:51 pm

Good for you Donna! I think it is great that you are trying to come up with some cheaper meals and meatless ones can be so good and healthy and taste wonderful too. We have always loved meals with less meat and more vegetables, or meatless meals. It is a much cheaper way to eat and so at times has been a necessity, but we would choose to eat that way no matter what.
If you think that this would be difficult for your family, one way to transition into that is to first take one meal a week and just use less meat than usual, or have a meat/bean combo meal. Asian stir-fry (little meat...lots of veggies) or tacos (meat & beans) come to mind. If they like that then sometime try a meal with no meat (rice and beans, baked beans/cornbread, breakfast egg meal like cheese omlets.) I would look for those recipes that are like your family favorites, but just have less or no meat. You could also try serving a bean recipe as a side dish sometime along with meat and see if they like it. I would stay away at this point from meat substitutes including tofu,because they are not for the meat loving, faint of heart. Gayla has put some great sounding meatless recipes on here and Hillbilly Housewife has some on her site too.
I hope that helps!
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MARY

Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sun 24 Jun 2007, 9:31 am

Thanks,,sure has helped,,I know I have made hamburger helper before and used ground turkey instead of beef,,no one knew the difference,,but if I would have said,,,Im using the ground turkey(which was cheaper)tonight,,picky noses would be turned up! LOL

This last week,,I did a few meals like grilled cheese and tomato soup,,one of everyones favorites,,went over great,,no leftovers.We also do breakfast for dinners too,,,panckes are so filling,,IM not the best omlette maker,,but we do have eggs alot of different ways.

Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sun 24 Jun 2007, 1:05 pm

Donna I just posted an omelet recipe.
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sun 24 Jun 2007, 7:44 pm

Donna,
I don't have a specific recipe but I love vegetable lasagna. My DH makes it using zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and mushrooms. He layers them in where you'd normally put the meat. Each layer is a different vegetable. He says to put the carrots on the bottom so they cook through. You can also blanche them first if you want to.

Another idea is to make a pasta primavera. You lightly saute some nice veggies with garlic, butter, lemon (white wine if you want) and toss with pasta and throw on some grated cheese. Just don't overcook the veg.

I love salad when there is lots of cool stuff in it. We add the typical lettuce mix and add tomatoes, carrots, cukes, cheddar cheese, olives, radishes (in his), mushrooms (in mine). You can add artichoke hearts and avocado slices too - oh yum! Get the kids involved and have them choose what they want to put in their own salad bowl. You could toss some pasta salad on top or even a slice or two of chicken or pork if they desperately need meat.

I was completely full from dinner and now I'm hungry again! Yikes.

Good luck!

Subject: Re: Veggie meals needed please Sun 24 Jun 2007, 9:09 pm

LOL thanks DF..we usually have cheese lasagna,,never thought about a veggie!
Gayla,,I saw that omlet recipe,,thank you,,too cool!