Tasty vegetarian dishes

When you are looking for tasty vegetarian dishes there are countless choices. My favorites are usually ethnic or comfort food and sometimes a combination of the two. Here are two meals that are both economical and easy to prepare that are part of my recipe arsenal.

Eggplant Parmesan

If you are looking for a hearty vegetarian dish that is Italian, eggplant Parmesan fits the bill perfectly. If you use gluten free crumbs it can be gluten free as well as vegetarian. It is not, however, vegan since eggs are used.

What you need:

2 eggs

1 Canister flavored bread crumbs

1 Large eggplant

Olive Oil

Bowl

3 plates

Paper towel

Frying pan

1 Jar marinara sauce

2 Bags grated mozzarella cheese

I usually buy one large eggplant. You need a sharp knife to slice the eggplant into ¼ inch slices. The slices will be round. Place the two eggs in a small bowl and mix with a fork until the yokes and whites are combined. Place Italian flavored breadcrumbs on a plate. Have another clean plate available.

Dredge the eggplant in the egg and then the crumbs and place on the clean plate. The third plate should be lined with the paper towel. Heat the olive oil in the frying pan and then cooked the eggplant until browned on both sides.

Place the eggplant in a single layer in a 13 by 9 pan, stone or glass are good options. On the top of the eggplant place a layer of marinara sauce followed by grated mozzarella cheese. Repeat this as many times as needed to use all the eggplant. You can make your own sauce or use jarred, the choice is yours. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 45 minutes.

Many people who are not generally fond of eggplant find that eggplant Parmesan is the exception.

Mac 'n cheese

One of the most popular meatless meals in the world is macaroni and cheese. Some may consider this a dish for children but that is far from the truth. Making this dish adult friendly only requires adult choices in cheese. While elbows are the traditional shape of pasta, I prefer to go a little crazy and choose gemelli, farfalle or hubby’s favorite ziti.

One of my friends makes the most delicious mac and cheese with American Cheese which is baked in the oven with a Saltine crumb crust. I prefer to make mine with cheddar cheese. I have been known to use smoked Gouda or Swiss in combination with Cheddar or Jack. One of the wonderful things about macaroni and cheese is that it never has to be the same.

I make a white sauce from a roux and add the cheeses. I also add Worcestershire Sauce. It adds a nice little zing to the sauce. Sometimes I bake it with Ritz crumbs and other times I just make it on top of the stove.

Many vegetarian dishes are just as delicious as these two. If you are looking for a good vegetarian cookbook you might want to try The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook from America’s Test Kitchen.