OT: Whatcha cookin'?

[sockii]

You gotta be careful going vegetarian. How many times do you see someone decide to go vegetarian in college and then start to live on Diet Coke and Doritos? Not exactly making a healthy change:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/go ... 53959.html

I think it's a supreme challenge and my hat's seriously off to my friends who do it well and manage to really keep up their protein/heath levels. It's a lot of work. I tend to run iron and b-vitamin deficient and it gave me a fair number of health issues in earlier years when I was eating a nearly vegetarian diet (even with a lot of beans and dark greens in my diet.)

What frustrates me is I have a dear friend who is vegetarian for religious reasons, which I totally appreciate and she's been absolutely dedicated to it for decades. But, she's also diabetic and "hates most vegetables" (her words, not mine), and doesn't cook for herself, so her diet ends up consisting of pasta, cheese and take-out Indian food loaded with oils and carbs. I've actually tried repeatedly to introduce her to some simple vegetable/tofu-based country-style Japanese & Chinese recipes that are easy to make, healthy, tasty and with the vegetables "disguised" so she'd eat them, and she agreed she liked them...but she just won't try to cook for herself and I've just watched her health deteriorate year by year for almost a decade. It's made me so sad.

[GinaSuperCat]

Haha, EQ...funny part is most Doritos aren't technically vegetarian <grin>

I could post what I eat for a month and people still wouldn't believe me that it's just as easy to be healthy and get tons of protein on a vegetarian diet. Just as easy as it is for an onmivore to be unhealthy. I've been seriously anemic as a meat eater resulting in my blood being rejected for donation, and I've had high(er) cholesterol on a low saturated low cholesterol diet (due to, of all things, stress-induced low thyroid function). Vegetarians and onmivores can be equally healthy or unhealthy (and I'd suggest vitamins or supplements for anyone).

Take for example the Cat household's lunch today: fresh silver corn, black-eyed peas, mixed vegetables, and cauliflower with cheese. An all vegetable plate with (what would shock many) 18.5g of protein. I am food and health conscious, I know what's in food--now *that's* what takes time and effort, no matter what you eat.

I usually don't like to offer unsolicited that I'm a vegetarian (I reply only when asked, unless I'm going over to someone's house for dinner and 9/10 times we get asked about dietary restrictions anyhow). It tends to make people feel the need to defend their eating of meat. I only get a bit frustrated when vegetarianism is incorrectly maligned health-wise as a justification for eating meat. No one here needs to *defend* their meat consumption!

If anyone gets in your business about your diet (i.e. not your doctor), as with other personal matters like religion, etc., they should buzz off!

[policefan]

However I'm looking for some new ideas for asparagus. Any suggestions?

This is my favourite, it's so easy:

- cook pasta
- cook asparagus
- add lightly heated pesto

Et voilà ~ it's all green : )

[sockii]

However I'm looking for some new ideas for asparagus. Any suggestions?

This is my favourite, it's so easy:

- cook pasta
- cook asparagus
- add lightly heated pesto

Et voilà ~ it's all green : )

Pesto and I don't get along unless I make it myself - all that pesky raw garlic (dammit).

[policerule]

I have been addicted to the fattoush salad at my local mediterranean restaurant. All of the dressing recipes are sort of a process, but I swear this place just uses oil and pomegranate molasses. It is soooo good. Sweet, tart and crisp.

[empty]

[quote]I usually don't like to offer unsolicited that I'm a vegetarian (I reply only when asked, unless I'm going over to someone's house for dinner and 9/10 times we get asked about dietary restrictions anyhow). It tends to make people feel the need to defend their eating of meat. I only get a bit frustrated when vegetarianism is incorrectly maligned health-wise as a justification for eating meat. No one here needs to *defend* their meat consumption!
[/quote]

And that's why we ALL love Ms Super Kitty. Well said darling!

[ladyhawke]

my kids made for us grilld cheese sandwiches but my son eats his with ham on it. i am glad they are learning to cook more as they get older. it is hard to be single mom with 4 kids but i would like to have 1 more because they bring me joy. i like asparagus to so maybe i will try this one.

[sockii]

My first batch of lettuce is ready to eat! I've got multiple varieties started and have them at all different stages so hopefully now I can have fresh greens from the garden all summer long.

Picked up an overflowing pint of fresh jersey strawberries from a roadside stand on the way home this afternoon, so figured what would be better than butter lettuce with strawberries, onions, toasted pine nuts in a honey vinaigrette?

[empty]

That looks yum Sockii!

I had a root canal today, so it's wine, codeine and vegan cupcakes for dinner. (don't worry I had my protein earlier)

[63falcon]

[quote="sockii"]My first batch of lettuce is ready to eat! I've got multiple varieties started and have them at all different stages so hopefully now I can have fresh greens from the garden all summer long.

Picked up an overflowing pint of fresh jersey strawberries from a roadside stand on the way home this afternoon, so figured what would be better than butter lettuce with strawberries, onions, toasted pine nuts in a honey vinaigrette?

[img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7155043820_4c4561c800_n.jpg[/img][/quote]
Yes, yes! My teeny-tiny garden patch (which is divided in to 2 itsy-bitsy parts) just burgeoning due to RAIN and then HOT SUN, alternating nicely. The Greens part (collards/kale/cabbage/brussel spouts/kohlrabi) getting to pick stage for some of those too, sockii. I also purchased a GREAT inexpensive 12"x12" pre planted container of salads, that is also doing well. Now, am waiting for the tomato plants to show up, that my Dad sent me for birthday, they should only show after last frost date for OH, this weekend. Oh, and the oregano plant that has been growing from last year is monster, to the point that I am parsing out some for co-wokers, and my boyfriend stops by to pick sprigs for his kitchen whever he walks by my place.
All I need are tiny chickens and little goats for a total teeny farm. I could use potbellied pigs, but they would become pets, so no go! I am not a vegetarian, but can only kill animals if they have a 'sporting chance' in a hunting situation!

[ladyhawke]

i am so proud my son taught my 2 youngest girls to make pancakes tonight for dinner. he is now taking as man of house. kids love pancakes to so it was fun tonight

[63falcon]

Today, LEFTOVERS! mm-mm!

[sockii]

I am going ever so slightly insane prep-cooking for my monster birthday blowout for this Sunday. Since it's a combined birthday with Dave's 50th last month, it's basically the "HOLY SHIT WE'RE OLD" celebration.

So far on the menu I've got:

* Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Fougasse
* Cranberry & Almond Fougasse
* Pizza bites (mozzarella & mozzarella/pepperoni)
* Buffalo chicken egg rolls (these at least thanks to vespa's niece)
* Farro salad with chives, peppers & tomatoes
* Chick pea pasta w/rosemary
* Butter lettuce salad from our garden
* Spaghetti pie
* Grilled vegetable lasagna roll-ups
* A "rainbow" of salsas served w/various dippers: purple plum, tomatillo green, pineapple yellow, papaya-mango orange, tomato red
* Teriyaki chicken wings
* Grilled stuffed calamari
* A monster-sized maple-glazed smoked ham (direct from the farm)
* Venison skewers
* Korean bbq pork ribs
* Various hot dogs (pork, turkey, beef) 'n fixin's
* If I have time for it, homemade baked beans with ham hocks, and sauerkraut with apples and bacon
* Of course birthday cake, cupcakes and pudding parfaits.

Why yes, I am insane. And this is why vespapod is taking me out for dinner tonight.

[ladyhawke]

tonight is no good night my wonderful kids are sick with a cold so we had chicken noodle soup and i tuck them in to sleep.

[kmart]

I love cooking outdoors on the grill! I usually do it year around, but I kick it high gear during the summer. I love to do chicken (marinated in Italian dressing) easy but good, the usual hamburgers, hot dogs and steak and I will cook fish in a tinfoil pan with onions and butter.

I know it is not very unique or adventurous, but there is something about food on the grill that tastes great....

So here is a question...Gas or charcoal? and why?

I think charcoal tastes better but it takes so long to get ready! Gas, you turn on a switch and you are cookin!

KMART

ps I am sorry I haven't been around in awhile, I worked 4 months with 3 days off the entire time, averaging 12 hours a day....It has been crazy at work!