Vegetarian Options For Meals

Whether you are thinking about switching to a vegetarian diet, or you are just cooking for a vegetarian guest, you are likely wondering what types of meatless meals you can prepare. Fortunately, vegetarian ingredients are far more common in supermarkets now than they were even a decade ago. This has opened up many new possibilities for cooking meatless meals without sacrificing flavor.

Soups

Soups are popular choices for vegetarian meal items because they are versatile. Vegetarian soups are also economical because they can often be made with beans and other inexpensive ingredients, says Rose Elliot, author of "Rose Elliot's Vegetarian Cookery."
While most soups are made with chicken and beef stock, vegetarian soups are made using vegetable broth as the base. You can make your own vegetable broth by freezing raw vegetable cuttings in a freezer bag, then simmering them in filtered water for two to three hours.
Add lentils, chickpeas, vegetables or mushrooms to your vegetable broth to create a hearty soup. Add fresh or dried herbs and spices, such as sage, basil, cumin, curry powder or cayenne pepper to your soup as desired.

Vegetarian Grilling

While outdoor grills were once regarded solely as instruments for meat preparation, you can prepare vegetarian meals on the grill too. According to Anne McDowall, editor of "Grill It! Vegetarian," grilling is a healthier option than pan frying because it requires little or no oil.
One of the simplest ways to create a grilled vegetarian dish is to skewer cut vegetables such as broccoli, squash, leeks, potatoes and carrots. Add cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and tofu cubes to complete the dish. Cover the skewers with marinade and refrigerate for at least an hour. Place the skewers on the grill and turn every two to three minutes. After 10 to 12 minutes, remove the skewers and serve.
Although it might not occur to you to put fruit on the grill, Caribbean fruit kabobs are another good vegetarian choice, notes McDowall. Thread pineapple, mango cubes, apple slices, banana pieces and kumquats on skewers and marinate in orange juice. Grill for six to eight minutes.

Pasta

Pasta is another versatile option for vegetarian meal preparation, says Elliot. It is both filling and economical, and there are dozens of types of pasta to choose from. You can top pasta with a simple marinara, or create a robust, complex sauce such as mushroom and cream, red wine sauce or garlic herb butter.
If you miss the texture of meat, add vegetarian "hamburger" crumbles to your sauce. Most large supermarket chains carry these crumbles, which are typically made from soy.