Vegetarian Cooking
September 4th 2009 01:31
Red Beans in the Raw
I cook a lot of vegetarian dishes, I like veggies, like potatoes, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, corn, all types, with the exception of broccoli, I don't love broccoli, mostly because it's always over cooked. Crisp and fresh I don't mind it too much, raw isn't bad, but usually, no. Then there's cabbage, nope, not for me, except in two ways, one is as sauerkraut, I used to hate it, but now, I really love it, even cold, can you imagine? Cold, unheated and with a touch of spicy mustard, a kosher hot dog isn't a bad addition, but this is about vegetarian cooking, so no hot dogs.
Why am I writing about veggies? And there is a longer list, like Chinese Cabbage, bok choy, tiny corn, egg plant, but only when I fix it and sometimes not even then. There are so many dishes that can be made with fresh veggies. You really should try some.
Now, I'll bet you'd like a recipe or two. You're not going to get them, well not exactly, just some suggestions on how to make some dishes, like how to combine some of the goodies available in most stores, in your garden if you're lucky enough to have one, so here goes.
Dish Number 1:
Try combining three different types of potatoes into a potato salad, add the usual, celery and onions, finely diced on the onions, but not so much on the celery. Then add, some red and green bell peppers, a couple of hard boiled eggs (OK technically not vegetarian, but almost), add some slightly cooked, and I do mean slightly, green beans cut into small dice. Add all the ingredients together, then, for fun, try adding some balsamic vinegar and rich olive oil. OK, this is where it goes off line for most and if you aren't into vinegar and olive oil, try the usual mayo and a touch of spicy mustard. Now, if you add the vinegar and olive oil, add fresh ground pepper, some dill, maybe a touch of tarragon.
Dish Number 2:
Black beans, cooked in chicken broth, add onions, tomatoes, some ancho chilies, these are spicy but not hot, and have a wonderful smoky flavor, their dried and need to be dehydrated before using them, but it's worth it. As the beans and good stuff has been added, and add plenty. Cook some rice, brown preferred, but a mix of brown and white is OK, just be sure the white is long cooking too or it will be done before the brown is, now cook the rice according to instructions, but again use chicken broth, yes this too is not strictly vegetarian, but these are recipes made with vegetables, so, that's what I'm trying to get over. Anyway, with the rice, add a touch of salt and some pepper. Make it plain. But, put in a roasting pan, fresh green beans, chopped onions, and some corn on the cob. Roast these until tender and slightly browned and caramelized. When these are done, chop the green beans, onions, and take the corn off the cob. Set aside to chill. Chop one avocado, some green onions, one small, red if you can it, jalapeņo, add the chilled roasted veggies. When the beans and rice and done, serve the beans on the rice, add some of the chopped veggies with the avocado, and add a dollop of sour cream. You'll be surprised. This can be very tasty.
Dish Number 3:
This is a quick and easy one. Use one can of drained black beans, one can of drained red beans, pour both into a mixing bowl (you can cook them again if you wish, but they are cooked) remember you want to drain the beans thoroughtly, into this bowl add a can of chopped tomatoes, a can of corn. Add some fresh cilantro, some fresh lime juice, and add a touch of cinnamon to taste, it should be a hint not an over powering flavor. Add a touch of salt, not much it isn't necessary. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and some guacamole and a side of sour cream. This is wonderful with a good Mexican beer or a Margaretta.
So there you have three easy suggestions, a little off the wall compared to some, not so much to others. But if you use you imagination you can come up with all different ways of using veggies. Roasting many different ones is great. Don't forget your can roast fennel, potatoes, corn, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, rice before you cook it (really you can, it just takes longer to cook), some fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, even mangoes in their skins. Use your imagination, try different things, if they don't work, try something else. Experimentation is one beauties of cooking. Be brave, try anything and a little of everything.
If you want next time I'll give you a mango/banana salsa to try with cinnamon tortilla chips, it's yummy and a great dessert.
Janice
P.S. Please forgive any misspellings, I'm still having trouble with words, it's a new medication thing, but I'll get better (I hope). Have fun, be adventurous, be brave.
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Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I can't believe you aren't a big fan of broccoli - it's my all time fave dish - could eat it anyways.
TRY COOKING IT THIS WAY - it could change your mind!!
Hope you are recovering well!
Comment by FoodMage
I and Me
Food Mage
Just Writing
I love veggie meals too, plus the cost of most meats make them out reach a lot of the time. I use fresh veggies when I can, frozen when I can't. The only canned I use are diced tomatoes, corn, and some beans.
I'm going to check out your blogs for your way of cooking broccoli and see if I can find "Your Way" and then cook it that way and I'll let you know.
I promise to have some fresh recipies soon, or sooner.
Janice
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I admit sometimes I don't always cook fresh veggies - I get steamer bags from the supermarhet which are about 4 or 5 veggies frozen in them and you just place the bag in the micorwave or boiling water for 2mins - taste just as good and I have read nutritionists say that frozen does not alter the nutrititional value at all. These are for my lazy nights