I can't believe it but my husband is actually giving vegetarianism a try! This is a fantastic opportunity for my family to do something to help the environment, aid the plight of victimized animals and improve our health all at the same time. I'm worried that he will lose interest quick if I can't make satisfying meals.

What is your best-loved vegetarian main dish recipe that seems to satiate even the meat eaters in your life?

the easiest thing you can do, especially at this time of year when the weather turns cooler - make your best chili recipe and substitue Smart Ground for your ground meat - my hubbie still eats meat when he's not eating at home and he cannot tell it isn't meat - he knows it isn't meat because I made it but it really has enough body and with everything else you put into the chili this subsitution makes little difference.

I have this AWESOME cookbook called the Vegetarian Meat and Potatoes by Robin Robertson which I think is fabulous for making meat eaters comfortable. Check it out:).

Susan's suggestion for Chili is a great idea if your husband and family are hesitant. It's a familiar taste and texture that will ease them into the "lifestyle". I'm not a vegetarian, though I do try to avoid red meats. I do have a friend though who makes great omelets, and she doesn't eat meat. Going totally vegan though is insane (i.e. REALLY HARD). But if you're only going vegetarian - you have a greater variety of food to select from. Oh and baked potatoes are another great veggie meal - cheese, sour cream, butter, imitation bacon bits - onions - I love rich foods :P

Oh, but I forgot to mention that I'd like to avoid any artificial or processed meat substitutes!

I made this awesome veggie Mexican Lasagna the other night. It was so filling. It has the added bonus of being cheap! I've posted the recipe on my site as an article.

Gluten Free Mexican Lasagna

Anything with beans or lentils is filling and has protein too. I found when I first switched to a veg diet, my stomach was really acid because I had so much from eating protein all the time. So try at every meal to have protein until he gets used to the veg diet and then you can separate your protein and carb dishes. Try Whey powder morning shakes or eggs benny or huevos. Boiled eggs, cottage cheese, tofu in stir fries, beans, etc.
Good Luck!

Love the sound of the Mexican Lasagna...will try it soon.

Hey friendlygirl4u and hey everybody!

All of these things sound great!

I tend towards the lasagnas and meaty stews when I'm cooking for meat eaters. I'll use tofu, nuts, mushrooms, cassava and other veggie things like that with good dense texture.

I've not had a meat eater yet who wasn't satisfied with my meals.

Instead of doing meat and potatoes, try tofu and cassava. It will provide great flavor and texture to your meals.

Here's an article that will help you in your tofu process and understanding.

Hope this helps.

Hi all! We love tofu so it's easy to get enough protein.

I definitely will do veggie chili (although he hates when I put in zucchini or other types of squash) and the Mexican lasagna!

So far, he's had only a few meat meals but we're steadily decreasing the amount. He's all for it now!

Thanks for the great site and recipes! Oh, I loved the article on Forbidden Rice. Interesting!

Glad you loved the article and tofu. You also may want to consider working with mushrooms. I use the dried ones when I want to kick up the flavor and texture of my dishes and also when I'm tofu'd-out.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

Fasolatha! A national Greek dish. Olive oil is one of the bital ingredients of this delicious dish so don't skimp on the VOO. 1 c. white kidney beans (veg. canned is ok) 1 onion, thinly sliced 2 small carrots, slices 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 (14.5oz) can diced tomatoes 1 T. tomato paste 1 t. dried oregano 1 t. dried thyme 1/2 c. olive oil 3 c. water 2 T. chopped fresh parsley salt to taste ground black pepper to taste If using canned beans - skip step one 1. Rinse and strain soaked beans. Place in a large saucepan, and cover with water. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain discarding the water. 2. Cover the beans with 3 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Add onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Cover. Cook for about 50-60 minutes until beans are soft (if using canned beans - 30 minutes is enough time). Mix in the parsley. 3. If using a pressure cooker, cook all ingredients except parsley for 3 to 4 minutes under 15 pounds pressure. Stir in parsley. Eat with some yummy bread on a cold winters evening!!

Oh, my gosh! You'll never believe this but I got my meat-loving Texan of a husband to actually want to go vegetarian!!!

I made a lot of your delicious vegetarian dishes and he barely missed the meat. Then after being meat-free for a while, he ate beef at a family get-together and felt very bad for the next several days. This was enough to convince him about the negative health effects of a meat-heavy diet.

He actually told me to cut out meat and cook more vegetarian meals. He went to a Thai restaurant and ordered the tofu curry. And he even began to cut out the sodas and start up cycling. This is amazing, people!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your wonderful vegetarian meals!!!!!!! Please keep the recipes coming!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yellow rice and black beans are a favorite. Use "pretend" chicken strips sauteed in olive oil with onion and pepper stir-fry. You pretty much have a Tex-Mex fajita dinner when all are served together.

This is awesome stuff!!!

I like an artichoke casserole.

Thaw frozen artichoke hearts. Lightly oil or use Pam to coat a glass baking dish. Layer like a lasagne artichoke hearts, canned sliced mushrooms, sliced black olives, crushed garlic, salt and pepper, bread crumbs, and some olive or veggie oil. Finish the top layer with oil and bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes until browned.

I also like chopping up all kinds of fresh veggies starting with onions that I saute until slightly carmelized. I add peppers (red and green), broccoli, squash, carrots, cauliflower, thin sliced celery, a hint of salt, pepper......sauteing the veggies in the pan with olive oil until almost crisp tender, then I add sliced garlic, parsley, and sometimes a sprinkling of bread crumbs and cook until garlic is tender.

I've eaten this dish all by itself, but you can use it as a side instead. Use any veggies you like. I find this to be a good way to use up leftover crudite platters from parties.