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Fun Vegetarian Salads That Pack a Protein Punch

Leta Shy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:14:41 PST

I'm usually a salad girl for lunch, but I hate when I choose the wrong toppings and end up starving just a few hours later. Plus, an everyday salad routine can get a little boring. The solution: colorful, fun, all-vegetarian salads with high protein contents to keep me full. Here are five protein-filled salads that do just that!

Sources: Flickr Users norwichnuts and jules:stonesoup; FitSugar reader ambitiouskitchen

6 Ways Vegetarians Can Be Economical

Emily Co — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:25:52 PST

There's always the perception that being vegetarian is expensive, but that's not necessarily the case. Deborah Madison, the author of Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone and Vegetable Soups From Deborah Madison's Kitchen, says in general, "vegetables aren't that expensive compared to meat." Here are tips from Madison on a few ways vegetarians can save:

Learn to cook and eat grains and legumes of all kinds. "Grains and legumes are very economical and are often organic. You can even buy them in bulk bins, which is always a good way to save money. There are some new books out now on grains that will teach you about their flavors and how to cook them - invest in one! "I suggest, Ancient Grains For Modern Meals by Maria Speck."
Know which vegetables give you the best value. It's important to also know which veggies you can use entirely. "Carrots, winter squash, fennel, cabbage - these are very efficient vegetables in that you can use every part of them. Fennel can be expensive, but if you slice it on an inexpensive mandoline, you can get a lot of salad material from one small bulb."
Find out what the edible parts are. "For example, well-peeled broccoli stems are delicate and delicious, and broccoli with the stems costs less than the crowns alone. If beets come with their leaves, use them! They are related to spinach and chard and are just as good. Chop off the stems, discard any that aren't up to snuff, and cook the rest. Chard stems are also quite edible and actually favored over the greens in other countries. You've got two vegetables in one if you use them. Fennel stalks can be used in a soup or soup stock, the greens a garnish."

Read on for more.

Healthy Snack: Vegan Cucumber Tofu Rolls

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:07:05 PST

Tofu usually shows up as part of a full meal, but it also makes a delicious and satisfying snack. Prepare tofu ahead of time and store it in the fridge to whip up these protein-packed vegan cucumber tofu rolls in a matter of minutes. If you've never cooked with tofu, this is a great no-fail recipe to try out.

Keep reading to learn how to make this savory tofu recipe.

8 Meatless Meals to Warm You Up

Lizzie Fuhr — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:18:59 PST

Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest day of eating after Thanksgiving. And if you had as good of a time as I did yesterday, chances are you're looking for a little reprieve from all that decadent (and amazing) party food. The perfect way to lighten up your night? Going for a meat-free meal. Have no fear - we've got you covered with 10 vegetarian recipes that are sure to fill and warm you up. Click through these recipes and get inspired for supper tonight!

Make a Super Bowl of This Meatless Chili

Zelana Montminy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:36:34 PST

Are you ready for some football? The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and we're cooking up some tasty chili to celebrate. Our chili is meat-free and flavored with a variety of spices - including cinnamon and nutmeg. Watch the video to see just how easy it is to whip up a pot of this chili! Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Killer App: Mushrooms Stuffed With Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:37:29 PST

I'm always on the hunt for those perfect bite-size appetizers that are suitable for just about any party, even this weekend's Super Bowl. These button mushrooms stuffed with artichoke and spinach dip are just that; they only require a small cocktail napkin and are best served warm, but are even satisfying at room temperature. The earthy mushrooms are filled with a creamy vegetable mixture and topped with crunchy panko crumbs - a perfect bite.

The task of preparing the mushrooms can be a little tedious, as you'll want to remove the gills, or the undersides of the mushroom caps, since they retain most of the water; removing them will ensure you won't have a soggy bite. With the right tools (either a small paring knife or a tiny melon baller), removing the gills is fairly easy.

Keep reading for even more tips and this killer app recipe.

The Perfect Guacamole Recipe For Super Bowl Sunday

Susannah Chen — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:38:50 PST

If you're serving up a spread of your favorite Super Bowl favorites this Sunday, skip the store-bought guacamole and make your own instead. With just a few everyday ingredients and a totally simple technique, delicious guacamole is only minutes away. Watch our video now to see how easy it is - then print out the recipe and experiment with your own addictive bowl of guac.

5 Reasons to Love Mushrooms

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:02:18 PST

Even though we're still in Winter mode, you deserve to do your body good with hearty recipes that won't break the calorie bank. It's time to give those buttons and shiitakes another chance. Learn more about the nutritional properties of mushrooms and try out these five savory, rich mushroom recipes that are sure to make you change your mind about them for good.

20 Killer Vegetarian Appetizers

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:46:25 PST

With game day season in full swing, there are a multitude of reasons why it's time to dig deep and find some killer appetizers to pull out of your pocket. But this year, for various reasons (among them, health, budget, and more sustainable eating), there are sure to be at least a few partygoers who are passing on the poultry, meat, and seafood this year. Thankfully, we've got an array of vegetarian options so superb that no one will be missing out on the meat at all! For a sampling of stellar veggie-forward starter ideas, keep reading.

Parmesan Twists: A Super Bowl Snack in 15 Minutes

Susannah Chen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:42:34 PST

If you're hosting or attending a football gathering, and you're in a crunch for time, turn to these ridiculously easy parmesan twists. Here, chef Meg Hall shows you how to turn little more than puff pastry, parmesan, and ingredients you've already got on hand into an mouthwatering finger food in under 15 minutes. Keep watching for a quick and simple vegetarian appetizer that's as fun to make as it is to eat!