Cheap AND Vegan

[Laura87]

I have a family of 4 who all LOVE meat and cheese. I know for many reasons we must go vegan and money is crazy bad. So please tell me your cheap and vegan recipes! Thanks

[Kamiro]

Cauliflower soup:

Cauliflower floret

onion

carrot

garlic - all chopped

saute in olive oil

Cover with water +1 " (feel free to season with vegetarian boullion or just seasoning)

Boil and then simmer on low

In a separete saucepan bring to a boil 1 cup of soy/almond/other milk and 6 tsp flour - once thickened add to cauliflower mixture.

Adjust seasonings, let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Cowboy Caviar

Garbanzo, kidney, black eyed peas, black bean, corn

one can each

green onion chopped

tomato

bell peppers

cilantro

vinegarette salad dressing of some kind -

I really like Italian

Mix together until its a good consistency. I like to do a few pulses in a food processor to blend it... Good on tortillas, crackers, chips....

These are both good recipes that are cheap, hope your family likes.

[Kamiro]

Sometimes I fry corn tortillas with mashed potatoes inside. Surprisingly good. I received an order by accident at a mexican restaurant years ago. I would never have thought of the idea, but super good. :)

Pinto beans (soak overnight) - boil and simmer...when done - season to taste. Add some rice and you got a completely delicious vegan, cheap meal.

Lentils and barley - Lentils, carrot, onion, barley - bring to boil with seasonings. Simmer about an hour. Yum.

[Ragana]

Honey Baked Lentils:

http://happyfoody.blogspot.com/2006/10/honey-baked-lentils.html

Just made this for the first time. I made the version where you add a cup of brown rice & up the water to 4 1/2 cups & cooked in the crockpot. You can sub maple syrup (or maybe agave syrup?) for honey.

Red Lentil Soup with Spinach and Lemon:

http://www.pinkofperfection.com/2011/03/red-lentil-soup-with-spinach-and-lemon/

Sweet Chili Lime Tofu:

http://veganyumyum.com/2008/06/sweet-chili-lime-tofu-with-wok-steamed-collards-and-quinoa/

I serve this with plain cooked rice instead of quinoa - any grain works. Limes are cheap at Mexican groceries; here they are sometimes 10-12 for $1. Tofu is usually about $2 for a block. Also any greens work for this, and all greens are generally cheap.

Veg Pasta e Fagioli:

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/weekday-vegetarian-pasta-e-fagioli.html

Minus the parmesan, it's vegan. This has been on my list to make for a while - looks yummy!

[Ragana]

Spaghetti aglio olio:

http://www.yumsugar.com/Spaghetti-Garlic-Olive-Oil-Chili-Flakes-21398824

Good with a salad or some steamed broccoli on the side.

[LeahBoo]

I made a weird random meal the other day that was awesome.  I cooked some pinto beans (with some onion, chili powder, cayenne, and salt) until they were done, then cooked the water down pretty low, then mashed them up.  They were kinda like refried beans, but obviously not fried, and taste better than the stuff in the can.  Then I made some flat bread (1 part water, 2 parts whole wheat flour, dash of salt, let sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours, roll out, heat on a dry skillet about medium - medium high).  Put the beans on the bread, topped with avocado, yum!  Tomatoes would have been good on there too, and onions.

A note about the flat bread.  If you want to substitute white flour, you have to fry it, instead of dry pan cooking.  I don't know why, but it just doesn't cook right.