Cooking Without Meat...and Tofu!

 

A few posts ago I mentioned that we often eat a meatless meal.  I was asked to share some of our favourite recipes.  If you're hoping to find some meals made with the disgusting, jiggly stuff called tofu, you've come to the wrong place.  Lol!  I really don't like tofu!  If you're thinking all of these meals are packed with protein, you'll be disappointed.  These are some simple meal ideas that are somewhat nutritious, but not all of them are packed with protein.  I honestly don't think that eating one meal a week without protein will harm us.  Having said that, I do try to pack in as much protein and nutrition as possible.

 

Eating meatless meals is not something we initially set out to do.  It just happened.  Actually it started as a "Oh!  I forgot to take the meat out to thaw.  I'm starved!  What's the fastest thing I can make for supper?"  This usually happened after Martin and I had both worked a full day.  The days before kids.  So, it started more as a "lets fill our tummy's" than a desire to spend less on groceries.  And we certainly weren't concerned about eating all that healthy. Over the years, it's become a way to save money on groceries and still eat healthy...for the most part.

 

You'll notice I use whole wheat flour for almost everything.  I grew up eating only white bread and everything was made with white flour.    Over the years, I slowly switched to using mostly whole wheat flour.  I started using only 1/4 whole wheat flour and worked my way up to using 100% whole wheat.  It's not easy to switch to whole wheat, but once you do, you'll never regret it.

 

Some of our all time favourite meals are actually generally thought of as a breakfast meal.  Truth is, who has time to make a big breakfast?  We usually don't.  So we have these meals for supper instead.

 

I triple this recipe for my family and usually we'll have enough left over to pop into the toaster to enjoy the next morning for breakfast.  They also freeze very well and can be popped into the toaster straight from the freezer.  Make sure you place a piece of wax paper between waffles. 

 

I make these using only whole wheat flour.  We find that whole wheat flour fills us quicker and the feeling of "I'm hungry" 30 minutes after having waffles, doesn't happen when I use whole wheat. 

 

Waffles With Vanilla Sauce and Strawberries

 

1 2/3 cups Whole Wheat flour

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs, seperated

3 2/3 cups milk, divided

6 tbsp. vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Fresh or frozen strawberries

 

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  In another bow, beat egg yolks lightly and add 1 2/3 cups milk and oil.  Stir into dry ingredients.  Set aside 1/4 cup batter in a saucepan.  Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Fold into remaining batter.  In sauce pan, heat sugar, the remaining milk and the 1/4 batter you set aside earlier. Boil until thickened and add vanilla. (Note: If using whole wheat flour, you will want to add extra white flour to your sauce, about 2 tbsp., to help the sauce thicken better)

Top waffle with white sauce and strawberries.  Enjoy!

 

We also like to add some not so healthy pudding and whipped cream to this meal.  There is nothing better than a piping hot waffle loaded with homemade chocolate pudding and whipped cream!  I use my mother-in-laws chocolate pudding recipe.  I make several batches of this and store it in an air tight container and use as needed.

 

Chocolate Pudding Mix

 

1 1/2 cups, plus 2 tbsp. cocoa powder

3 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/3 cups cornstarch

1/2 tsp salt

 

Combine ingredients and store in airtight container

 

To make pudding simply combine...

 

1 cup pudding mix

2 tbsp butter (optional)

2 1/2 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla

 



Cook until thickened.  We prefer to have our pudding warm for serving on top of waffles.

 

 

I'm not a big breakfast person, but do enjoy omelettes for supper.  I don't follow a recipe for omelettes.  I simply use what I have on hand, but will usually include the following.

 

Omelette

 

6 eggs

2 tbsp milk

salt

pepper

green, red, or yellow peppers

onions

mushrooms

hot peppers

cheese

favourite Epicure Spice

 

Mix eggs and milk.  Pour into greased frying pan.  Sprinkle with veggies and spices. Cover and cook until fluffy.  Flip and sprinkle cheese on top.  Cook until done.  Serve with a slice of homemade whole wheat bread.

 

For those Friday nights when we feel like eating out, we turn to this delicious and simple meal.

 

Italian Bread Wedges and Salad

 

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tbsp instant yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 cup warm water

2 tbsp vegetable oil

Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese (or whatever cheese you happen to have on hand)

 

Topping

 

1/3 cup Italian dressing

1/4 tsp salt

dash of pepper

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp thyme or pizza spice

 

Mix first 6 ingredients in a large bow.  Knead in additional flour if needed.  Form a ball; cover.  Let rise for 30 minutes.  Spread dough on a greased pizza pan.  Mix topping spices in a bowl.  Brush onto dough.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 450 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

 

Serve with your favourite salad.

 

I like to add this salad as it has some protein in it and it compliments the meal nicely.

 

Corn Chip Salad

 

Chopped lettuce (use your favourite)

cornchips

kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
corn, cooked, cooled and drained (optional)

Catalina dressing.

 

Mix all ingredients and serve.

 

 

My youngest 3 kids LOVE Chinese food!  Actually we all do!  So one of our all time favourite meals is...

 

Vegetable Stir Fry

 

4 cups sliced vegetables

broccoli, cauliflower, celery, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, carrots, peppers

peanut oil

1 cup broth ( I use chicken bouillon and water)

2 tbsp soya sauce

2 tsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt (optional)

2 tsp cornstarch

Optional:  add almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds

 

Heat oil in wok.  Add chopped/julienned veggies; stir fry for about a minute.  Add liquid and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes or until veggies are the desired tenderness.  Add all or desired options.  Serve over rice or your favorite Chinese noodles. 

 

I'll share a few more recipes in the next couple of weeks.  Hope you can enjoy a meatless meal!...even if you don't like beans or tofu!  ;)