Vegetarian cuisine is happily recommended by many nutritionists and other experts as a diet plan that has benefits for our overall health. The advantages of vegetarian cuisine include a reduction in the total amount of fat in the diet, a reduced intake of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, and an increased content of plant fibers, vitamins and many other ingredients. As it is based mostly on fruits and vegetables, the intake of antioxidants increases, which protect our body from many serious diseases.
The best vegetarian recipes
Dairy products and eggs are allowed in the vegetarian kitchen, while the vegan approach is exclusive in this regard as well. Vegetarians do not consume meat products, and other variants are individual. When we talk about the sufficient intake of necessary nutrients, it can be said that a vegetarian diet, which includes the consumption of dairy products, eggs and fish, is a healthy way of eating, which can meet the normal needs of the human body and improve the general state of health. We bring seven of the most popular vegetarian recipes, which everyone can easily prepare in their kitchen.
Unleavened Indian bread – This type of pastry is called paratha, and it is unleavened thin bread, which is traditionally prepared in Indian cuisine. It is prepared from wholemeal flour and is often used in vegetarian and vegan diets. It is served with vegetable dishes and other vegetarian sauces, sauces and salads. The required ingredients are:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- Cooking oil
- Warm water or fresh whey
- So
Mix the flour and the amount of water or whey as needed, so that a fine, smooth dough is kneaded. Add salt to taste, but it is not necessary. The dough should be soft and compact, so that it can be divided into smaller balls. Roll each ball into a thin circle, oil half of it and fold it in half, then repeat the process and fold it once more, like a pancake. Press the dough, and once again roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin triangle. Bake the finished bread in a heated, dry pan until golden brown, then turn it over to the other side. Coat the upper side with a little oil, then turn it over and bake a little more, and repeat with the other side. The bread is ready when it gets dark spots, like when we bake tortillas or pancakes.
Gnocchi in tomato sauce – Different types of pasta are often prepared in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The preparation of pasta gives great freedom in creativity and selection of tasty and healthy ingredients. Here’s a great vegetarian recipe for gnocchi in tomato sauce. It’s necessary:
- 250 g of store-bought or homemade gnocchi
- 2 large tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil or a tablespoon of fresh
- So
- Spices to taste
Boil the gnocchi according to the usual procedure from the package or use cooked homemade gnocchi. Blend or mash the tomatoes well, then lightly fry them in olive oil. Add salt and other spices to taste, chili, pepper or others, but it is not necessary. When the tomatoes darken, turn off the stove, add the gnocchi and basil, cover and leave for a few minutes for the basil to release its aroma.
Risotto with vegetables – Rice is a common grain in vegetarian cuisine. It is the base for a variety of delicious dishes and various varieties of risotto. Risotto with vegetables is a healthy vegetarian meal, adaptable to any cuisine and diet. The required ingredients are:
- ½ cup of rice
- 200 g of champignons
- 6 broccoli florets
- ½ red pepper
- ½ zucchini
- ½ spoon of olive oil
- So
- Vegeta
- Turmeric
Chop all the vegetables and drain the rice. Fry the champignons in olive oil first, then add the diced pepper, then the zucchini and finally add the cooked rice. Mix everything well and add spices to taste.
Vegetarian burgers – The vegetarian kitchen is full of recipes for preparing patties, hamburgers, kebabs and steaks without meat. Veggie burgers are a healthy option for everyone’s taste, and are usually made from beans. The following is one of the most popular recipes. The required ingredients are:
- 500 g of boiled or canned beans
- 1 head of black onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 egg
- 50 g breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
- Spices to taste
A suggestion for getting the best burger texture is to mash half of the bean mixture and leave half whole or slightly mashed. Finely chop the onion and garlic and mix with the beans. Add egg and spices to taste, ie salt, pepper and herbs. Half of finely chopped hot pepper can also be added. Add breadcrumbs and knead a moist, not too sticky mixture. Form balls, then patties from them. They can be put in the fridge for an hour to harden before frying, but it is not necessary. Fry on a heated pan, with enough oil so that they get a golden color on one side, then on the other. They should be fried on medium heat so that they do not burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside. They can be cooled and kept in the fridge for the next couple of days.
Eggplant mini pizzas – Pizza is one of the most famous Italian dishes and is prepared in various ways. The classic dough pizza can also be made in a vegetarian version, but when it is prepared with eggplant, we get an even healthier version of the popular dish. Here’s how to make mini vegetarian eggplant pizzas. It’s necessary:
- 1 large blue eggplant
- Olive oil
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Mediterranean spices
Cut the eggplant into rings and arrange on a baking sheet, coat with olive oil, sprinkle with spices and a little salt, then bake in an oven heated to 200 degrees on each side. Then pour two tablespoons of tomato sauce over each roll, add some spices and shredded cheese. Bake for a few more minutes until the cheese melts.
Fruit punch – Vegetarian cuisine does not include alcoholic beverages, so it prepares delicious, refreshing aperitifs from various fruits. Fruit punch is a real vitamin bomb and an excellent suggestion for any occasion. It’s necessary:
- 4 cups of sparkling water
- 3 cups crushed ice
- 2 cups of pineapple juice
- 2 cups of orange juice
- 2 cups of raspberry juice
- 1 lime
- 1 orange
Chop the lime and orange, then mix all the ingredients and pour into a jug. The stated amounts are enough for ten people.
Vegan banana and blueberry ice cream – Various desserts are represented in vegetarian cuisine, and very often they are also suitable for a vegan diet. Ice cream prepared in this way is a healthy alternative to other treats and suitable for all people. It is prepared quickly and easily. It’s necessary:
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 handfuls of frozen blueberries
- A few drops of vanilla extract
- Top of a teaspoon of cardamom
Cut a ripe banana into rings and put it in the freezer, so that it can be used later to prepare ice cream. A few bananas can be frozen and used as needed. Simply blend the fruit in a blender with the other ingredients until it has a fine, creamy texture. The finished ice cream can be sprinkled with some ground nuts, if desired.