Okay, so i am trying to convert my in laws to a healthier way of eating due to some recent health issues with dFIL. So we are going out there this weekend to visit. I am trying to convince them that healthy vegetarian food can be great, but they flat out disagree. So they are letting me cook one meal to prove my point!! So I need some great tasting ideas!

yikes! that is major pressure. What sort of non vege food do they like ? Are you doing vegetarian or vegan ?

You could do anything from chicken out & make something with a meat substitute. Like a fake beef stew. Served with crusty bread & butter ( or non-hydrogenated oil marg ) & a nice salad. We get crap meat subs here so I never cook anything like this anymore, but when I lived in England we used to get the most convincing ones out. They were like meat but without that horrid dead taste or smell & you couldn't feel them screaming when you cooked them ;)

At the other end of the spectrum, you could do something really beautiful like a spicy thai vegan curry with basmati rice.

The world famous in New zealand chocolate tofu mousse is a must for desert. If people here in our land of dairy eat it without noticing it's not dairy & like it there is hope. It's just a few hundred grams or so of non dairy ( organic, fair traded of course ) chocolate. Melted & whizzed up in a blender with a package of soft silken tofu & a few drops of essential oil of peppermint or peppermint essence. Leave to set in the fridge.

Let me know if I can help further :)

I would not try to make a meat substitute, because it will taste a little too unlike what they are used to and be much lower in fat.

Here are my suggestions:

Potato lentil stew (hearty)
French cut green beans in a peanut sauce (so fast!)
Creole Corn (delicious and attractive)
Sourdough rolls with non-hydrogenated margarine

I can email you these recipes easily but I can't post them here because they are copyrighted. So email me at erin@vegfamily.com and I will send them to you right away. (and to anyone else who wants the recipes)

The above recipes are the ones I use when I have meat eaters over to my house. They are happy and amazed and they just love this stuff! These are my "tried and true" recipes. You've got to trust me when I tell you that no one will turn these away. They're sure fire!

If you go to www.cookinglight.com and look up Zucchini quesadillas. THey are pretty easy to make and so yummy. I made them for my parents and they couldnt believe how good they were. The recipe calls for shredded zucchini, greek olives and feta cheese. We add guacamole on top. Its pretty filling and doesnt need a side dish.

I also have a great recipe for echilada casserole that is great. It has alot of choppped vegies in it, so it takes some pre-pare time, but sooo worth it!

Sicilian Lentil pasta sauce over ziti. Even my 5 yo LOVES this. LEt me know if ya want the recipe, very easy.

I'd make fettucine al pesto with asparagus tips, marinated tomato-corn salad over leafy greens, crusty baguettes with garlic olive oil for dipping and thinly sliced parmesan (use the vegetable peeler). For dessert an organic raspberry crumble with organic vanilla bean frozen yogurt and yerba mate lattes (made with vanilla rice milk, yum!). It's not exactly a low-fat meal, but they won't miss the meat!!

Spinach Enchiladas or Lasagne

but we aren't veggies and a regular staple in our house is penne with tomatoes, feta, spinach and mushrooms

basically -- make some penne pasta.
a couple of minutes before it is done throw the veggies into a fry pan with a little olive oil, some basalmic vinegar, some pepper and salt. saute a bit.
when pasta is done, add to the veggies. add cheese

dh is not a spinach fan, but will eat TONS of this if i make it. I think he pretends like there's no spinach in it :)

Thanks so much guys! Erin, the recipes went over awesome! And I added the others to my new developing recipe box. Thanks again!

Wonderful! I'm so glad they liked them as much as my family does.

If anyone else wants those recipes, I've got them ready to send. Just email me at erin@vegfamily.com.

rainsmom-- I'd love to learn more about your enchilada casserole! Could you post a recipe? Thanks!
-alsoSarah

My yummiest is steamed vegetables in homemade peanut sauce over rice (brown is healthier- but I love white).

Peanut butter sauce:
2 cups of rice dream
as much peanut butter as you want (more is thicker)
garlic powder
dash of soy sauce
pinch of thyme and cilantro

Boil it- simmer in sauce pan while veggies and rice cook and serve! (Add red pepper if you like it hot).

late, but here's another: hummous, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, tzatziki, some favas, some whole wheat pita, almond rosewater cookies... getting the drift? yum, middle eastern food!

a carnivore's choice for a veggie meal :p i never miss meat when the veggie cooking is good ( i needs my protein!)

suse

sohappy....can you please post your fettucini with the asparagus tips recipe?

or, you can pm me if you'd like...Thanks!!:D

This is a messy dish to make, but soooo worth it. Ive modified it thru the years.....for low fat style, dont dip tortillas in oil. I also usually use almond cheese as it is easier to digest and not as heavy.

ENCHILADA CASSEROLE RECIPE


2 doz corn tortillas
1 28oz & 1 15oz cans Las Palmas Red Chile Sauce(enchilada sauce is milder)
1c sliced olives
1c+ grated cheese
1 med onion
1 yellow squash
1 zucchini
1 red and yellow pepper
1 can corn
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2lb sliced mushrooms
oil(I use safflower)
basil, oregano to taste

Empty cans of red chile sauce in cast iron pan that is already hot. Keep hot and stir as it thickens, then turn to low and simmer.

In another pan heat oil. Cook onion, peppers, garlic, zucchinis, mushrooms, and herbs. Add corn and turn to a simmer.

Preheat oven to 350.
Pour 1 inch of oil in to a small skillet and heat to near high.

Using tongs, take a corn tortilla and dip into oil until it is cooked on both sides but not stiff. Dip into warm enchilada sauce and place it on the bottom of a large round casserole dish(or whatever dish you may have). Repeat until bottom and sides of the dish are lines with dipped tortillas.

Fill with vegie mix and then cover the whole dish with more dipped corn tortillas. These can be stiffer. Top with grated cheese and remainder of sauce and sliced olives.

Cook until cheese melts, about 15 minutes.

Top with sour cream/plain yogurt and/or guacamole. You will need no other side dishes as this is very filling. Above will feed 6 people. I make it for dh and I and have lots of left overs. So good the next day!!

Thank you, rainsmom, it sounds great! I can't wait to try it!

alsoSarah