When I come up with easy cheap vegetarian recipes, it usually involves me opening the fridge, seeing what's in there, then mixing random ingredients. This is a classic example. I've been purchasing an abundance of fresh produce these days, so I have to use them up before they go bad. This recipe is somewhat similar to Soyrizo Surprize, but has a lot more veggies. The more the merrier though, am I right? 

Well, this scrumptious Carmen Varner concoction contains six, you heard me, six veggies. That's almost one's entire daily recommended intake of vegetables. Say what?! It's insanely easy to eat healthy when it tastes so darn good and fills you up for hours. Here you go! Try this easy cheap vegetarian recipe yourself.

1 zucchini

1 green bell pepper

2 cups spinach

1/2 onion

1. Chop up all ingredients. Heat a pan on the stove. Add olive oil.
2. Add chopped potato and onion. These take longer to cook thoroughly.
3. Once the potato/onion mix begins to look cooked or starts to brown, add green beans.
4. Once the green beans begin to brown, add zucchini and yellow squash. Since there's a plethora of veggies, this part takes 10-15 minutes for everything to cook. But it condenses greatly. 
5. Once the zucchini/yellow squash is soft, add bell pepper. Cooking tip: How do you know if it's soft? Answer: Taste it.
6. Now add in your spinach. It looks massive at first, but spinach shrinks into an itty bitty little thing.
7. After the spinach is all shriveled and shrunken, add in your soy chorizo. The chorizo itself takes hardly any time to cook.

Before we get started, Brussels sprouts contain protein, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, & folate. All of which are necessary daily nutrients. I've heard so many references about Brussels sprouts being disgusting, but they're not at all as gross as one would assume. Add them to any meal to create a healthy vegetarian recipe.

Step 2: Cut Brussels sprouts in half.

Step 3: Add olive oil, salt, & pepper. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees or until outermost layer starts to brown.

That's pretty much it. This is simple & it tastes scrumptious. Make these for an easy cheap healthy vegetarian recipe for one or for all! Alternatively, you may add garlic salt, rosemary, vegan butter, or other spices if you so wish. This is a basic template to get your Brussels sprout taste buds flowing. Go out to the store, pick out a few good looking sprouts, & get to cooking! 

Bon appétit!

July 2, 2010

Today we had breakfast then started our day. We went to the National Archaeological Museum; there were ancient Greek things--statues, pottery, even a skeleton. To be honest, it definitely wasn't the most exciting museum I've been to. My favorite parts were the jewelry. I wish they were mine. We had spanikopita for lunch. We walked toward downtown where all the tour shops are. We hopped into a place that formerly was a post office and at one point someone's house. It was lovely.

Since it was 1,000 degrees out, we barely did anything before we stopped for an ice cream break. At least it cooled me off. By this time we had to head back to my uncle's apartment, as they invited some people over for dinner. There was so much food. Greece has been relatively low key, we spend a lot of time in the house.

July 3, 2010

Today was a good day, I finally felt like I did something worthwhile. I went to the Acropolis, which consisted of the Roman Agora, Ancient Agora, and the Parthenon. I simply loved it. We got off to a late start, but when we got out, it started raining...I mean pouring. But it only lasted about 15 minutes.

Since I'm vegetarian and incorporate a lot of veggies, greens, and plant-based foods into my diet, I've been asked countless times how I can survive on "rabbit food." Frankly, I've never had a rabbit, so I'm not entirely sure what they eat. But if rabbits eat what I eat, then I wouldn't mind being one. Anyway, I was extremely hungry and scoured my fridge to see what was hidden within. The result was kind of random as far as healthy vegetarian recipes go, but it was totally yummy. So that's how the Nutty Rabbit Salad came into the universe. This is a not-so-average salad. I think the rabbits of the world would be proud.

2 cups spinach

1 cup chopped green beans

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 tbsp sunflower seeds

First, add a little bit of extra virgin olive oil to a pan on medium heat.  Let it warm up then dump in your green beans. Let the beans simmer for a few minutes, until they start to look slightly cooked. Green beans are versatile so you can add them to most meals to make it a healthy vegetarian recipe. Next, you need to add the almonds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Sauté until the green beans look fully cooked and the nutty mixture turns slightly brown.

The next step is to wash your spinach and shredded carrots, then add it to a large bowl. Add in the cooked concoction and stir altogether so that it forms a delicious goodness. The dressing is up to you. In this particular rendition of the Nutty Rabbit Salad, I used Archer Farms Thai Peanut Sauce, which was superb. Add some oil and balsamic vinegar. Maybe some lemon and pepper. You're the one eating it, so make it how you want it. 

This is an excellent appetizer or dinner salad. This Nutty Rabbit salad is a delectable healthy vegetarian recipe that you can always enjoy.You can make it for yourself. You can share it with a friend. Whip this up and impress your date (I recommend this one).  This will satiate your appetite, while giving you that fabulous home-cooked meal feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Bon appétit!

*Rabbit-approved meal.