| In a rut!NBC15 Blog Listing | |||||
|
Recent Blog Topics
|
||||
Save
Email
Print
|
Hello, everybody! It's been a while since I've written... my apologies.
That said, I'm back with a favor to ask.
I'm in a rut -- a cooking rut! Do you ever get tired of the same old things for dinner?
I'm a vegetarian and generally cook for myself. My dog's not too big into the whole meat-less lifestyle.
I eat Boca burgers and "chicken" ... lots of whole grain pasta and vegetables... rice and beans...and stir fry, and while I love all of those things, I'm worried the menu at my house has become a little too routine.
I don't know about you, but I'm not a huge fan of cooking when it's so nice outdoors. I get home from work, am starving and just want to dine outside on the deck (at least until the mosquitoes discover I'm there) and enjoy the warmer weather with my canine pal... not spend too much time in the kitchen when it's already after six o'clock, right?! I really enjoy trying Madison-area restaurants, but that's not always an option, as you can imagine.
That's where you come in... if you have any easy vegetarian ideas, please let me know! I really need to spice it up because I do love to try new things!
And here's another challenge... make it healthy. While I indulge plenty ... big fan of chocolate ... I love hearing about people's healthy options. For a while I was reading a book by Dr. Mehmet Oz, and he suggested all of these healthy foods to add... some I'd never heard of. Unfortunately, I failed miserably and haven't tried many of them -- yet. I'm still holding out hope, but if you've got some already tried and true ideas, please share them!!
|
| Post Your Comments |
|
|
| Read Comments |
|
Posted by: Jay Location: madison
Well Dana, you eliminate 97% of all the good food by being a plantasorus!!! Just kidding. What about fish??? It's good for you and it will probably boost your mercury levels. In all seriousness.........there really is a wide source of good fish. If you don't really like the "really fishy fish", then there are so many other kinds that are less "fishy" Go to a fish specialty store (Isn't there one at Whitney and Odana?) and try a few. Get them to order some things to try. Posted by: Tina Location: Windsor Hi Dana! Oh, I know, don't I, the fun cooking for one most of the time! Summertime soups are great- I tend to lean more towards soups that can be cooked one nite, cooled to settle the spice, eaten cool the next eve: lentil soups w/ mild seasonings first nite, add little more zip (curry, etc.) second day/ nite or before freezing. I love potato rolls from the bakery w/ fresh 'maters / dressing for a "lite" dinner on really hot nites. grilled sweet corn/ cob, onion/taters in foil on grill a summer camp fave, stuffed green peppers? Oh, how 'bout smores? OK, it's not so healthy, but if you're grilling... half mater w/ wine soaked crutons on grill to warm through? grilled baked taters stuffed with fave seasonal veggie mix? angel hair pasta cold w/ lemon/ vinegar & fresh broc. aspar. mater, cel, car. etc? warm veggies w/ lemon/ honey glaze? cold potato soup? Hope it helps Dana :=) Posted by: Ted Location: Janesville I am a proud meat eater but respecting your choice I offer advice. I have taken up cooking, real cooking as a stress reliever and hobby. I love food and love preparing it. My most valuable resource is Food Network.com. They have recipes for every tatse or lifestyle. Rachel Ray is one that makes a lot of veggie meals. How about eggplant parmigiana? There are so many ideas for indoor or outdor veggie dishes that you could eat new every night! I assume you are cooking for 1. Most dishes are for 2 or more. Make it, eat it, bag up portions and freeze. Posted by: Mike Location: Madison Being an omnivore I speak from a less-than-informed viewpoint, however veggie kabobs, crockpot cooking, and cold plates are some of my summertime faves. salads, veggie dips made with fresh fixins from the farm market & stuff like that. You make homemade pasta? How bout some veggie stuffed ravioli? veggie lasagna? I had a great veggie lasagna with bocca brat sausage for us "meat eaters" & it was wonderful! Sitting on the deck to eat? Can you grill on the deck? a glass of wine/ tea while grilling some veggies sounds delightful, sans skeeters of course! Marinated veggies? Pickled beets, green beans, okra, carrots are a fave in the house & great on a warm night when cooking is just unattractive! mix whatever- tofu, bean curd, humus(?) with accepted meat/ cheeses. good luck- there's always pb&J Posted by: Mike Location: Madison Hi Dana. Outside after 6, huh? How about veggie ka bobs on the grill? A fresh fruit salad can serve as both breakfast and lunch/snack/ dinner on a hot evening when food seems a dreary option. Tomato sandwiches, either grilled or cold? Slow cooker soup, started in the morning, so it is done when you get home? I know, my K9 pal doesn't jam to veggies either, & she goes where I go, so she knows State Street Brats really well! bean curd sandwich spread- some bean curd, some fave veggie chunks, a little spices (curry?)... pat the pooch for us! Posted by: Sara Location: Madison As a fellow veggie who hasn't any time to cook "real" meals, I highly recommend picking up "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" by Mark Bittman. This cookbook has proven indispensable because there are so many quick, easy recipes that don't require any "exotic" ingredients that you have to trek all over town to find. Otherwise, big veggie stir-fries are a summer staple for me. I like to go to the store and try to find three things I've never used, along with three things that I know I like and then see what happens. If you make enough, it keeps really well and can be eaten throughout the week. Hope that helps! Posted by: Wani Location: Channel 15 Dana, I don't have any recipes(well, unless you want the recipe for my chocolate eclair torte) but may I suggest a Portabella Mushroom Sandwich? You can throw one on the grill when you get home and voila! Enjoy my friend. :) Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison Have you tried couscous? I love couscous with stir fry veggies and tofu. And I've found couscous is so much better if you make it with broth instead of plain old water - but salt works, too. Posted by: Walker Location: Lodi I think any type of tree or shrub from the state is edible. Just add some salt and maybe some salad dressing. Holla |
 |
Weather Authority
Watch your local weather 24/7. |
 |
|
 |
News Links
Looking for something you saw on NBC 15? Find it here. |
|
|
 |
Double Dollar Deals
Experience our area's best restaurants at a Half-Off price. |
|
|
 |
Golf Double Dollar Deals
Experience our area's best golf courses at a Half-Off price. |
|
|
 |
Family Double Dollar Deals
Experience our area's best businesses at a Half-Off price. |
|
|
 |
What's On?
Click here to see our program guide. |
|
|
 |
Perfect Home
Find out how to make your perfect home. |
|
|
 |
The Health Professional
Find answers to your health questions. |
|
|
 |
Madison's Biggest Loser
Click here! Find out how you can sign up and change your life! |
|
|
 |
NBC15 Share Your Holidays
Click Here! Find out how you can help raise 3 million meals! |
