Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Quick Ideas For Vegetarian Lunches

By Laura Cokherell

Vegetarian lunches are probably one the easiest meals to make and a healthy meal choice any time. There are so many options that come together quickly and easily to make quick lunches whenever you need them. Here are a few suggestions for simple vegetarian meals.

With just a few ingredients from any grocery store, these easy vegetarian recipes require just a minimum of preparation and make putting together vegetarian lunches easier than you might think.

A simple meal can be made with plain yogurt (regular or soy) mixed with cut up fresh fruit, like berries, bananas, apples, or peaches, some sweetener like honey or agave syrup, and some chopped nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Mix it all together and serve along with some whole grain crackers or some toasted whole grain bread slices.

Steamed edamame beans combined with chopped red bell peppers, jicama cubes, and pitted black olives tossed in an olive oil vinaigrette served along with a small bowl of cooked rice drizzled with some soy sauce and lemon juice

Cooked vegetarian burgers or hotdogs served on whole grain buns with your favorite toppings (mustard, ketchup, sliced pickles, tomato slices, cheese, etc.) and served along with steamed vegetables of choice dressed with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper

You could also take the cooked burger or hotdog and cut it up and place it in a bowl with mixed salad greens, pickle slices, diced tomatoes, and some shredded cheese and toss with Italian dressing and serve along with a cup of soup.

For a quick lunch, try a wrap sandwich made with a simple bean spread of canned chickpeas (rinsed, drained, and mashed) combined with some cumin, shredded carrots, diced red onion, and low-fat sour cream. Spoon the bean mixture into a soft tortilla shell and add some flavorful toppings like radish sprouts and chopped, pitted green olives. Serve this easy wrap sandwich with some baked pita chips.

Make a quick bean salad with canned black beans (rinsed and drained), chopped walnuts, chopped tomatoes, corn kernels, chopped fresh cilantro, and some rice vinegar. Toss all ingredients together and serve with warm rolls and whipped cream cheese spread.

A sandwich always makes a quick lunch meal. Use some cheese slices on whole grain bread and top with thinly sliced tomatoes, sprouts, fresh basil leaves, and thin slices of avocado. Serve a bowl of vegetable soup and baked sweet potato chips on the side.

Take some crusty bread and cut two slices and toast. On one side of one slice of bread, spread some mustard and spread some basil pesto on the other slice. Layer the mustard side with flavored baked tofu, thinly sliced, and top with some drained, marinated artichoke hearts and a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Melt the cheese by placing the sandwich under a broiler or in a microwave or toaster oven until cheese melts and then top with the other slice of bread. Serve sandwich with carrot and celery sticks and baked potato chips.

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