My Favourite Vegetarian Meal!
October 5, 2009 by Marni Wasserman
Filed under For Your Health!, Nourishing Resources
This is a tough one for me, but I assure you – I do have a favourite vegetarian meal and so do you!
But first let me tell you about my favourite meal and then read on to find out why yours is important too.
Okay, so my favourite vegetarian meal is one that I like to create when I want something nourishing, warming and revitalizing. In which case I pretty much go for the foods that connect with this energy and make me feel amazing. My go to grain is usually quinoa, this is the best foundation for a wholesome dish. It is nutty, light, high in protein and digests immediately. Then I like to add in all of my favourites – starting with some baked marinated tempeh for it’s juicy and hearty texture, roasted sweet potatoes for some natural sweetness, steamed kale – a meal isn’t a meal without some greens, avocado – for it’s creamy and smooth consistency and then some chopped almonds for some raw crunch. Then to top this dish off I like to add in some tamari – natural salty flavour and tahini for a rich boost of calcium. This is my absolute favourite meal!
Now why am I telling you this, because I want to make it apparent that everyone has a favourite food or a favourite meal, maybe it’s a snack or a drink. Whatever it may be there is something that you have eaten that has made you feel amazing – and I want to know what that is – especially if it is plant-based!
So if you tell me, this is going to work out for you because I am having a contest in which you will have a chance to win a FREE Fully Nourished Cooking Class!
Yes you heard me, you can attend any one of my cooking classes for free!
Well… there are some conditions that this contest is based on.
The premise: Tell me your favourite plant based/vegetarian meal, snack or drink. It can be raw, cooked, gluten free, sweet, savoury – anything you like! Just nothing that comes from an animal (this means NO fish, chicken, meat, eggs, cheese).
The reason: I want to know WHAT about this plant based or vegetarian food item that made you feel happy, excited, proud, energized, nourished, balanced etc…You don’t have to be vegetarian or vegan to do this or have had this experience!
There is significance and purpose to this contest. Not only will I highlight the winning answer on my blog, but the winner will also get to come to any on of my vegetarian Fully Nourished Cooking Classes absolutely free of charge (value over $100). This contest will also demonstrate to people that plant based foods not only taste amazing but have an incredible impact on your health and I want as many people as possible to exploit and share their experiences!
So there are many factors that this veggie experience can be based on. It can be the taste, texture, smell, colour, flavour of the meal – it doesn’t matter to me. I just want you describe what it was and what it did to you that made you excited about healthy plants based food. This can be anything from a simple salad with pumpkin seeds to a coconut banana smoothie. Please share your story, your experience – the more detail you give me, the better chance you have to win.
I am giving you (my readers) one week to post your foodie delight in my comment section – share it on twitter, share it on facebook. And then after that week, I am going to pick my three favourite ones and post them and then you (my readers) will be the judge and pick your favourite one. Then I will contact the winner personally and invite them to come to any vegetarian cooking class of choice to have more amazing experiences eating delicious plant based foods.
I have one more question…are you ready?
Get posting!
This could be you!
From @savvari on Twitter – My favourite veggie meal is Indian and it is channa masala (chickpea curry) over basmati pulao (basmati with spices/onions). It is so yummy and filling! The house smells fantastic when you are cooking these items. When you sit down to a plate of beautifully cooked basmati pulao and pour the channa masala on top of it, it is irresistable to me. I'm drooling just thinking about it! I was born in Canada but my family background is East Indian, so this dish brings me back to my heritage and the food I grew up with at home. The great thing is, this is simple to cook but it is so hearty that my non-vegetarian friends love it too. Now that I have thought about it so much, it will have to be dinner tonight!
Hi Sandy,
That sounds amazing and delicious!
I have to say that one of my favourite vegan meals is soup, especially now that the colder weather is here. I love simple soups like carrot ginger (which I'm making tonight) or ones involving lentils and lots of veg in all colours of the rainbow. I love how satisfying and warming soups are and by simply blending some or all of the soup you can create a smooth, velvety texture – no cream or dairy required! They can be so easy to prepare, yet give me a sense of accomplishment and a happy tummy.
Hi Ashley,
Soup is the best way to transition into this season…I agree!
Mmmm Carrot Ginger is one of my favourites too!
Hello Marni,
I just survived amazingly 3 weeks as a vegan
… not just I feel super energized but I even enjoyed it. It made me think a lot about animals and abuse, things I've never thought about before as I am for sure a gourmet guy, passionate about food, I know about food, study and have always been interested in it since I was a child, plus I have a good intuition for combination of ingredients, so I got creative htis past 3 weeks, and I've discovered kale and got my hands into it and created a recipe to die for. My old time favorite do is Guaca, as a Mexican guy, I won't ever change my avocados for anything…
2 Avocados
1 Jalapeno pepper, take out the veins and seeds, chopped
2 chopped garlic cloves
half chopped spanish onion
Salt and pepper to taste
Half cup tomatoes, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Bunch of cilantro, washed and chopped
Just mix all of the ingredients together, I like it chunky but you can make it as un-chunky as you want
Take care
Leon Mirmanas
Leon, this sounds great! I love guacomole!
Hi Marni,
My favourite veggie meal is my morning Power-Packed Pineapple Pear Smoothie. This power house meal is packed to give me the boost I need to start my day on the right foot. I don't do well with solid foods in the morning so this drink has the added ingredients to help digest it and support my body at the same time. I start with about a third of a cored organic pineapple. The aroma of the pineapple as I cut it into chunks makes my mouth water and my tummy grumble in anticipation (gets those digestive juices flowing), and it's beautiful bright yellow colour is a nice 'eye-opener' for the morning, along with it's high vitamin C and digestive and health supporting enzymes. I like using 2 Forella pears that have the yellow-red skin as they are firmer and still have a smooth texture and adds valuable soluble and insoluble (including the skin) fiber. To boost the fiber, protein and iron content I add 30grams of organic ground tigernuts (Egyptian tubers) which also give a nutty flavour. Continued…
Hi KimberLee,
This smoothie sounds amazing – and great description!
There really is nothing better than starting the day off with a smoothie and this ones sounds great! I am going to try it tomorrow morning!
Let me know what you think and if you have any questions about the mix.
Enjoy!
Power-Packed Pineapple Pear Smoothie-Continued
Then I add about 5 stalks of dandelion greens to support my liver and get my greens into my day first thing. Surprisingly and scrumptiously, the slight bitterness of the dandelion is complimented very well by the pineapple's sweetness and acidity and adds a nice green colour to the drink (bitter tastes also help stimulate digestive juices). Then to add a bit more protein and probiotics which help digestion further along the tract, I add some coconut kefir about a quarter to a half of a cup. This adds some tartness to balance the sweetness and beautiful light coconut flavour to the pineapple. I power pack it off with 30grams of lecithin granules and 1 tsp of spirulina. The lecithin really adds to the smoothness of the smoothie and is great for the nervous system (stress) and lowering cholesterol. The spirulina intensifies the green colour of the smoothie, helps cleanse and build the blood and supports the body in so many ways. Continued…
Power-Packed Pineapple Pear Smoothie-Continued
Add about 4 cubes of ice to the blending near the end to chill it up and thin it out a bit, and then let it sit for a few minutes before consuming to allow the flavours to meld. This makes 2 generous helpings. This first meal of the day gives me a sense of great care and love being given to my body. Once you try it you'll be hooked! Namaste! KimberLee
My favorite meal is vegetarian loaf (made with nuts, grains and beans) served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and mushroom onion gravy, brussel sprouts, baked butternut squash or sweet potatoes and orange cranberry sauce – yum! You need time to prepare this celebratory feast because it is somewhat labor intensive, but this is vegetarian comfort food at it's finest. How can you feel deprived at holiday time with such a delicious, flavorful banquet of tastes? For desert – pumpkin pie with a nutty crumb crust.
I am salivating just thinking about it. The best part is leaving the table feeling good in every way – you have nourished your body, mind and spirit!
There is nothing better than a loaf made out of nuts grains and beans! So hearty and warming…sounds delicious!
and Pumpkin Pie – very seasonal, I love it!
Sounds yummy Laurel. Care to share your recipes?
I have so many "favorites," it was hard to choose! But a real standby in my kitchen, and a dish that I always love, is an Almond-Curry Stir-Fry, based on an original recipe by Nettie Cronish. It's a stir fry with veggies of your choice, but I always include some onion, garlic, cabbage, peppers, broccoli and leafy greens (usually spinach, but chard is nice, too). Toss in some marinated, sauteed tofu cubes (or use tempeh), then mix it all with a delectable almond butter sauce flavored with curry, tamari, mirin and ginger–perfection! We usually eat this spooned over steamed brown basmati rice for a full meal. I could eat this every day!
I know what you mean Ricki – by so many favourites. I had to pick just one for this post – but really there are way more than that! This Stir Fry sounds great, I love almond butter and I love all the amazing ideas/recipes that are being shared here!
Keep them coming!!!
We’ve Got Six Delicious Veggie Meals posted so far!
Let’s have a some more – you have until the end of the week!
Since I rarely cook (I don’t know how …) my favourite veggie meal is purchased. It is the chickpea and potato roti at the Roti Palace (Bathurst Street just south of Honest Eds). A rather humble combination I know and they do offer other veggie fillings like squash and spinach though I just seem to hunger for their spicy chickpea and potato version. The Roti Palace must be THE BEST ROTI place on the planet. I have tried every roti place I can find and none of them came close to making rotis the way this place makes rotis. I have been a regular of theirs for over 25 years. I think the real secret is in their chickpea wrap. I often buy more than one when I go there so I can have one the next day (they reheat very well). It is sooooooooooo delicious, everyone must go and try their rotis at least once in their lifetime. I introduced the rotis to my cousins in New York and now everytime I go to see them they ask me to bring them some. By the way, I have been reading the other submissions and drooling … so many good veggie meals here. I’m inspired to learn to cook.
Irene, this sounds really yummy. I have never been to Roti Palace, I will have to check it out and order the chickpea and potato roti! Thanks for sharing!
My favorite meal is a dhal stew that I have altered from an original family recipe. It was always a staple in my home growing up. Once I moved out on my own it was the first recipe I made from scratch. I felt so proud and comforted when I first made it on my own (especially when for the first little while I was eating a lot of processed foods).It also started me on the path of ‘loving to cook’! It consists of yellow dhal, tumeric, cumin seeds, garam masala, curry powder, onions, garlic, tomatoes, salt and hot pepper sauce…very simple but oh so good!! You can make it a soup consistency or what I do is add potatoes or plaintains or sweet potatoes and green peas and make it into a stew.
Have a great weekend all!!
Sham
Hi Sham,
This sounds amazing. I love there is a bit of an Indian theme going on – lots of dhal, grain and beans! The best comfort food. This sounds so good, especially with the sweet potatoes!
There are so many great vegetarian meals! I guess one of my favourites is the Black Bean Quinoa Burger that comes from Nettie Cronish’s Vegetarian Basics cookbook. They have a great texture, not too dry, and the flavour is a little middle eastern I think. You can prepare them in advance, they freeze well, and then just warm up in the oven or on the grill. They’re great with some tomato and avocado slices, a green salad and some baked sweet potato “fries” with a mustard/”nayo” mix for dipping. It’s like getting your “burger and fries” fix but super healthy. That meal always leaves me with a good satisfied feeling in my tummy, with no cravings for something else or more.
Audrey, I love black bean burgers. I have a recipe too that is to die for and I also eat it with avocado and veggies and baked “sweet” fries, it is truly a full and satisfying meal and you right, there is no need for cravings!
My favourite vegetarian meal is spinach pesto on whole wheat spaghettini. Why?
First of all – IT TASTES SO DARN GOOD. I love the punch of the pine nuts and garlic, it’s absolutely delicious.
Why else? Well, I’m by no means a raw foodist, but I know the importance of including raw foods in my diet. This meal is perfect for me because I still get to enjoy my warm, cooked pasta (providing me with healthy, whole grains), but the pesto itself is made from fresh, raw, iron-rich spinach and the antioxidants of the garlic (which this recipe includes LOTS of!).
Barbi – Yum! I love pesto on warm pasta! Have you ever tried it on Brown Rice Pasta? and if you wanted it completely raw – you could do it on Zucchini! But this sounds great – and spinach is super healthy and GREEN!
Here’s one of my favourite – and quick – vegetarian meals.
I make a quick ratatouille and serve it over polenta.
For the ratatouille (serves 2):
1 half large eggplant (or one small eggplant)
1 28 oz can of diced organic tomatos
1 tbs olive oil
1 frozen parsley cube, basil cube, and garlic cube (or fresh if you have them)
1 zucchini
1 yellow pepper
and any other vegetables you have on hand (mushrooms, carrots, a potato; this is pretty much a “whatever is around” recipe, which is why I love it).
First I heat the eggplant, which I peel and dice
then I add the other ingredients and let the whole thing sit on low, covered for about 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350, and lightly coat a deep baking dish with olive oil, and lay out five or six slices of polenta.
Put the ratatouille mixture over the polenta and top with grated soy parmesan, and bake for about 15 minutes.
Karen,
This sounds really warming and seasonal!
I would have to say my favorite food is something quick, easy, and delicious. For that I start with an Ezekial baby tortilla. Depending on whats on hand the toppings usually go like this. Hummus, Lentils or beans, Chopped rainbow chard (or really any green), sliced grape tomatos, cucumber and of course avocado! Sprinkle on some yummy sea salt and pepper, and its lunch time…or dinner…or snack.
Ellena,
This sounds great! Simple and Delicious!
Am I too late to add a comment? At this time of year, when the cold weather is upon us, I indulge in the warmth and nourishment of homemade soup. My favourite is adapted from SusanV’s chickpea and turnip stew with Ethipian spices. My version includes nutrient-rich sweet potatoes, chickpeas, onions, leeks, carrots and ginger, and has a wonderful blend of exotic spices that gets its distinct flavour from an equal combination of 11 different spices.
It is a meal in a bowl that covers all the bases: vegetables, starch and protein. It makes me feel warm and nourished on a cold winter night.
Hi Nicole,
You are not too late! One more day to go! And this sounds yummy!
My absolute favourite meal is actually one I had tonight: Ethiopian food!!
First of all, eating Ethiopian food is a communal experience. The food comes served on a large platter for sharing, which has a base of a sourdough flatbread called injera. Injera is made from teff flour, not only high in iron and fibre, but really delicious!
Each dish is served in a small dollop: spiced chickpeas, lentils or split peas, collard greens (mmm), potatoes with cabbage and carrots, and salad. You eat the entire meal with your fingers, enveloping each morsel of spiced legumes and veg with the injera. The smells of berbere (the spice mix they use to cook everything — how can you go wrong with chilis, onions and garlic?), frankincense, and strong coffee are all around and deeply satisfying.
Food always tastes better when you can eat with your hands.
Hi Marni!
I read about your contest on your website and even though it is long over, I wanted to share my favorite vegetarian/vegan meal. One of the most difficult transitions for me, aside from holidays, was going to summer BBQs where all that is served is beef burgers, hot dogs and salads with mayonnaise and bacon! I just love organic Sunshine burgers : they are quick and easy and only have 5 ingredients – all of which are natural and there are no preservatives! Just what a veggie burger should be! I’ve never met a BBQ cook who wouldn’t kindly grill up one of these for me. On my Sunshine burger I typically put hummus, spinach, sprouts, avocado and sometimes a peppery mustard for a bit of kick! Pair this with a quinoa, tabouleh, and chick pea salad and it’s the best vegan summer BBQ meal!
Thanks for letting me share,
Audrey
Audrey – it is never to late to share a fav veggie meal! I also love Sunshine burgers – they are amazing! I also bring them to BBQ’s and enjoy them with the same toppings and extra’s that you do. I sometimes put it on sprouted spelt bread or a gluten free bun! They are fantastic and again, thanks for sharing! P.S. I make mention of these burgers on a segment I did on Cosmo TV – as a healthy alternative to most veggie-soy based burgers! http://www.youtube.com/MarniWasserman#p/u/0/g0uUlGuSPeo