Vegan entrees for a newbie?

[Anonymous]

I have a vegan houseguest visiting soon. She has said that she's happy to just eat whatever during her stay, but I would really like to offer primarily/only vegan foods--I think it would mean a lot to her.

For breakfasts, I am planning:
Hemp milk/cereal
Oatmeal/fruit/nutbutter
Toast/jam

For lunches i have a few good salad or sandwich or wrap ideas

For dessert I have a vegan chocolate smoothie and chia pudding

I am struggling with dinners. I am particular about limiting proccessed foods and most recipes I've found tend to include "fake" meat or cheese. I'd really prefer all natural ingredients. Ideas?

[Anonymous]

My husband is a vegan and made this vegan chili during the last snowstorm - it was good
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vegan-Chili-51216410

[Anonymous]

That is very kind of you to want to cater to her needs. We have a friend who always goes so far out of her way to make us delicious veg food when we visit and we think the world of her!

Many vegan meals are very unprocessed. A few of my favorites:

Amazing chili: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/vegetarian-chili-recipe.html

I just sub in veg broth and earth balance for the butter:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/moroccan-style-stuffed-acorn-squash/

Omit the cheese and use fresh peppers and onions for amazing veg tortilla soup:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vegetarian-Tortilla-Soup/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=tortilla%20soup&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i17

Are you in the DC area? There are also some fantastic veg options you can go out to.

[Anonymous]

Be careful. Some cereals and some breads are not vegan (milk or eggs). Also, you can't make oatmeal with milk unless you use a milk substitute. Some jams have gelatin.

I posted this in another thread and this is a great recipe: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/360688.page#4667942 With the lentils and barley it has enough protein to be an entree, but it can also be used as a side.

[Anonymous]

I like making Rajma (red bean curry) and it's vegan if you cook it in any non-ghee/butter oil. I use olive oil and it's tasty. Served up with a veggie pulao - very yummy.

Personally, I like having it with some raita (yogurt sauce) but if you don't want to eat something in front of your guest that she can't have, then skip it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. Some cereals and some breads are not vegan (milk or eggs). Also, you can't make oatmeal with milk unless you use a milk substitute. Some jams have gelatin.

I posted this in another thread and this is a great recipe: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/360688.page#4667942 With the lentils and barley it has enough protein to be an entree, but it can also be used as a side.

Thanks! I found a brand of bread that is vegan and I plan to make the jam myself with chia powder to thicken instead of gelatin.

These are great. I'm very excited! And we are in McLean if anyone has a restaurant they want to reccommend. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I adore this soup. I've made it so many times I didn't even remember the original recipe.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/island-kale-and-sweet-potato-soup

I don't just jalapeños, I use quinoa instead of rice, sometimes I add garbanzos. It's very versatile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. Some cereals and some breads are not vegan (milk or eggs). Also, you can't make oatmeal with milk unless you use a milk substitute. Some jams have gelatin.

I posted this in another thread and this is a great recipe: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/360688.page#4667942 With the lentils and barley it has enough protein to be an entree, but it can also be used as a side.

Thanks! I found a brand of bread that is vegan and I plan to make the jam myself with chia powder to thicken instead of gelatin.

These are great. I'm very excited! And we are in McLean if anyone has a restaurant they want to reccommend. Thanks!

Please forgive my dumbness of Virginia geography, but Reston isn't too far from McLean, right? The best veggie restaurant, sunflower, is in Reston and falls church. If I lived in va, I would be there every single day!

[Anonymous]

Reston is about 45 minutes, but Falls Church is "next-door" as it were. Maybe my friend and I will check it out. Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. Some cereals and some breads are not vegan (milk or eggs). Also, you can't make oatmeal with milk unless you use a milk substitute. Some jams have gelatin.

I posted this in another thread and this is a great recipe: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/360688.page#4667942 With the lentils and barley it has enough protein to be an entree, but it can also be used as a side.

Thanks! I found a brand of bread that is vegan and I plan to make the jam myself with chia powder to thicken instead of gelatin.

These are great. I'm very excited! And we are in McLean if anyone has a restaurant they want to reccommend. Thanks!

Please forgive my dumbness of Virginia geography, but Reston isn't too far from McLean, right? The best veggie restaurant, sunflower, is in Reston and falls church. If I lived in va, I would be there every single day!

I think it's actually in FC and Vienna. Right on 123 between Vienna and Oakton (if you're coming from
McLean it'll be on the Left). It is FREAKNG fantastic. Not fancy or $$.

[Anonymous]

I love this:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/cauliflower-potato-and-pea-curry

[Anonymous]

Here's a good one:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/05/30-minute-chickpea-coconut-and-cashew-curry.html

[Anonymous]

Reston is 45 min from McLean?

OP, you are a thoughtful host!