Vegetarian cooking can be a challenge for families, especially with small children in the house. Your children may not be used to the ingredients used in vegetarian cooking, and may be hesitant to try meatless meals. Many vegetarians also find it difficult to prepare meals quickly, so that they can attend to other tasks. However, there are many vegetarian meals that are easy to prepare, and that will appeal to everyone in your family.
Veggie Burgers
Veggie burgers can be prepared quickly. They are versatile, so your spouse and children can dress them however they like. The veggie burgers widely available in supermarkets are typically made with processed ingredients and loaded with sodium. Make your own healthier veggie burgers using vegetables, beans, onions and bread crumbs. Add an egg white to bind the ingredients so the burgers don't fall apart during cooking, advises the Food Network website. Homemade veggie burgers can be placed between sheets of wax paper and frozen to make preparation quick and simple. Serve veggie burgers with fresh vegetables and hummus for a fast, healthy meal.
Tacos
Tacos are another good choice for easy, appetizing vegetarian meals. Like veggie burgers, tacos are versatile. They can be filled with black beans, vegetables or meat replacements such as seitan or soy chorizo, according to Sue Spitler, author of "1,001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes." Warm whole grain or corn taco shells in the microwave or oven, and stack them on a plate next to bowls of taco fillings, so your family members can create their own meals. Serve with low-fat tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole.
Pasta
Pasta is a favorite with children and adults alike, and it can be prepared in a variety of ways, notes Spitler. Add steamed vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini or eggplant to your pasta sauce to create a healthy meal, or opt for a simpler spaghetti sauce, such as marinara, for picky eaters. Serve with warm whole-grain bread and pesto or olive oil for a quick and easy vegetarian meal.
Chili
Chili is an excellent vegetarian choice for families on the go, because it can be easily prepared in a slow cooker. Substitute black beans, chili beans or chickpeas for the meat, or use vegetarian "beef" crumbles if your family members prefer the texture of meat, advises Linda Foley Woodrum in "Vegetarian Recipes." Place your chili ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning before you leave for work, and you will have a hearty meal waiting when you return home.
References
- Food Network: Veggie Burger Recipe
- "1,001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes"; Sue Spitler; 2000
- "Vegetarian Recipes"; Linda Foley Woodrum; 1993
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