so bored of our vegetarian dishes--need ideas

[Anonymous]

We like to eat vegetarian. We have two small children, so quick and easy is key. But I am SO bored of what we normally eat--things like pastas, beans with tortillas, stir frys.
Does anyone have any good go-to dishes?
Anyone have any luck with crock pot vegetarian dishes? My dream would be to throw stuff in in the morning and come home to good food, but have not had luck.
Thanks for any ideas....

[Anonymous]

Have you checked on pinterest at all? I've recently put in things like "quinoa casserole" and "quinoa stuffed peppers" and come up with a few things. I also just ordered the Ancient Grains, Modern Meals (I think that's the title?) cookbook, and some of the dishes in there look really good. They're not all vegetarian, but they could be adapted.

I also often look on pinterest for "winter soups" because I know they'll include things like lentils or root vegetables or squash.

Ever made a Spanish tortilla (eggs, onions, potatoes)? That's one of my favorite vegetarian comfort foods. It also reheats really well. I'm also a fan of roasting up a bunch of vegetables (lots of bell peppers and different chiles, sweet potatoes, corn, beans if you so desire etc.) and then layering them with tortillas in a lasagna pan with cheese and fresh baby spinach and salsa.

[Anonymous]

Veggie chili in the crockpot. You can use any combination of beans you like, plus I also add some quinoa. I soaked the beans last night, and this morning spent 15 minutes chopping vegetables (squash, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers, carrots). 8 hours on low. Dinner was ready when I walked in! I took another 15 minutes to prep a salad and some toppings.

[Anonymous]

My fav vegetarian meal is a quiche. Throw in eggs, cheese, milk and veggies. Make it on the weekend and heat up for nighttime dinners.

Paninis are fun too. We use pesto, mozz cheese, veggies, etc and just use a regular frying pan and press them with a cast iron press.

[Anonymous]

We eat a ton of soups this time of year. Easy to make ahead and just reheat at dinner time. A few favorites:

Peanut Soup
http://www.food.com/recipe/mark-bittmans-senegalese-peanut-soup-271533?layout=desktop

Chickpea and tomato soup:
http://eatingwithgrace.blogspot.com/2009/12/essential-comfort-food.html
Use veggie broth to make it vegetarian. We usually make it with elbow macaroni rather than rice.

I also love lentil soup, split pea soup, minestrone-but don't follow a recipe for those. And of course, tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich!

I like a lot of vegetarian Indian dishes too. If you like Indian food that's an easy way to add some variety. You can tone down the stickiness if your kids don't do spicy food. I love aloo gobhi (potato and cauliflower) and began Bharta (roasted eggplant). They're not hard, but can be a little time consuming so may not work as we'll for you.

One of my favorite vegetarian appetizers is Jaques Pepin's butter bean canapé. Takes just minutes and is so yummy:
http://www.kqed.org/w/morefastfoodmyway/episode201.html

[Anonymous]

Pumpkin risotto is another good one. You'd probably need to make it on the weekend in a big batch, but it reheats very nicely.

One thing to be careful of with beans in crock pots: beans, especially kidney beans, secrete a toxin that can only be broken down by boiling. It doesn't break down at crock pot temperatures. Therefore, you have to boil the beans first or use canned.

[Anonymous]

http://onceamonthmeals.com/slow-cooker-coconut-tofu-curry/--with this one, I might have stir fried the tofu made sauce on stove, but that sauce is delish! or added veggies...

http://skinnyms.com/spinach-bean-burrito-wrap/

http://potluck.ohmyveggies.com/chili-mac/

http://www.acouplecooks.com/2013/01/moroccan-chickpea-and-sweet-potato-stew/

http://www.eatliverun.com/crock-pot-lentil-sweet-potato-soup/

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/vegetable-chickpea-curry-10000000701091/

[Anonymous]

We make veggie burritos: if you have time, roast some sweet potatoes, chickpeas, red peppers and broccoli. If no time just microwave sweet potatoes and black beans. Throw any and all into a burrito with some avocado. Had one last night--so easy and yummy.

[Anonymous]

Try Indian food. Lots of good veggie receipes there. Dhall is also easy to make and freeze, just add a braised vegetable and rice and you have dinner.

[Anonymous]

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/354791.page