Meatless Monday--5 Simple Recipes

Source: MeatlessMonday.com

It's Meatless Monday and we're on board this vegetarian gravy train, are you? Going meatless for just one meal, one day per week does loads to help the evironment. Doesn't seem possible that one little itty bitty person making such a small change could make such a difference? Well if you don't believe me, check out more info at MeatlessMonday.com It's true! Since it's that easy, why don't you give it a try! If you're just not sure what the heck you would make for a vegetarian dish, well that's pretty easy too and that's why I've done the searching for you and found 5 simple recipes for your Meatless Monday enjoyment:

1. Thin Spagetti with Garlic, Red Pepper, and Olive Oil
This one is seriously as easy as it sounds and it is SOOOO delicious! This is one of my favorite pasta recipes of all time for ANY time! You can find the details here.

2. Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili 
Don't let the long ingredient list throw you off, most of the items come in a can and are ready to toss in the pot and simmer away. A good chili is good any time of year. Nom nom nom! Find the recipe here

3. Creamy Barley Salad with Apples
This is a good one if you're in the mood for something a little different but without having to pick up too many exotic ingredients; I wouldn't be surprised if you have most of these things in your fridge or cupboards. And what you don't have will be easy to find at your local grocery store. Recipe here.

4. Roasted Zucchini Flatbread with Hummus, Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Almonds
Here's another one that gives you all the flavor of a special meal without sending you to a specialty store or even any unfamiliar specialty aisles at your grocery store. Grab these ready made ingredients and all the prep you'll need to do is slice the zucchini and assemble the rest. Voila! Restaurant style flavor without the having to be an experienced restaurant chef! Find out how to make it here.

5. Oatmeal Brulee in a Jam Jar with Fruit and Nuts
I know. Brulee. Does not sound simple does it? But honestly this delightful twist on a wholesome and easy favorite only requires one quick extra step. Treat yourself, you deserve it! And this recipe is a good reminder that your one meatless meal for the day doesn't have to be dinner! The recipe for this yummy one is here. 

I hope these recipes have inspired you to go meatless for at least one meal, once per week now that you have a handful of ideas in your pocket that are easy and delicious without having to stock your cabinet with ingredients you've never heard of and can't pronounce!

Happy Meatless Monday!

Bon Appetit, 

Tamar

Meatless Monday

     

     I'm excited to participate for the first time in the Meatless Monday blog hop, hosted by Stephanie at The Recipe Renovator  If you haven't heard about Meatless Monday, you can get the low-down here. Yesterday, I made the official pledge on the MM website to go meatless one day per week. I have made this choice because I want to do something that is helpful to our planet, our animal friends, and my own body. Something about the pledge energizes me, I love knowing that this simple act of going meatless for one day per week will make such an important difference; and imagine if I go meatless even more days per week than that. I often do, so that is making an even bigger difference. Yay for a healthy planet, healthy body, and happy animals!

     For some it might seem hard to wrap their heads around making a balanced meatless meal. It's really not hard at all though, I find that tossing some beans, nuts, or tofu into a dish is an easy way to meet protein needs. Not only that, but I have read several reports that a healthy plant based diet with plenty of whole grains actually provides all the necessary protein requirements.

     Below is a recipe that is super easy, quite cheap, and can easily be "beefed" up (bad pun) by tossing in some beans or nuts, both would be nice additions.

Easy Spinach Spiral with Tomatoes and Chard

1 lb. Spinach spiral pasta

1 bunch Swiss Chard

1-2 mid sized tomatoes

2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste (optional)

1. Prepare pasta, set aside.
2. Coarsely chop chard. Slice tomatoes into chunks and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chard and saute until just wilted and tender.
4. When chard is nearly done, toss tomatoes in just until heated but still nice and fresh.
5. Add salt and pepper then toss veggies in with pasta.

Serve immediately as a side to a salad and/or meat substitute, or as a main dish tossed with slivered almonds, or garbonzo or white beans.

See, wasn't that easy?

Bon Appetit!

Tamar