Vegetarian lunch ideas??

[LoserJen]

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I have been a vegetarian for over 12 years, but started eating fish again three years ago. I am so glad to have found WW, because a lot of what I already ate I can still have on WW on a daily basis and many are low in points. I just love all the Morningstar Farms products!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any easy veg. ideas for lunch. I have found myself in a rut eating usually either pita bread with hummus, cucumber, and feta -- or cottage cheese and tuna. Oh, and I can't stand regular veggie burgers anymore - I got really burned out on them after eating them all the time a few years ago. TIA! :wave:

[nancyny]

If you haven't discovered the lentil chili (I think called "vegetarian chili") on the Vegetarian boards, I highly recommend you check it out. 2 Points per cup and very filling. Any of the 0-pt. soups might be a good side dish, just use veggie broth instead of chicken broth.

[Honey123]

Hi,
Bother!!! Nancy beat me to suggesting the Vegetarian Chilli! I'm not a vegetarian myself but I make this about once every 1 1/2 weeks. I divide it up into containers. It doesn't have much liquid which means it carries well. (It microwaves well too - esp with a little shredded FF/LF cheese on top). I cut out the taco seasoning etc... and have got it down to 1.5pts per serving without too much change in texture/flavour.

Failing that: what about Pasta? Yeah I mean for lunch :)
I mix Pasta (elbows or spirals) with some salsa and a little LF cheese to take as a Low Point Pasta Salad (it microwaves nicely too if you want it hot). I also make up Pasta dishes using veges, sweet chilli sauce etc...

What about a gourmet sandwich? Marinated Mushrooms, LF feta, steamed (cooled and squeezed) spinach with a little garlic, lettuce and maybe a tiny bit of LF mayo? Put it all on a nice bread (treat yourself to that rather than Pita or WW bread), maybe fresh ciabatta or something??

Don't know if any of these ideas appeal or not.

Are you at home when you eat lunch or at work? Do you have access to a Microwave?

Anyway, Hope some of this helps. :)

-Ally

[plcm111195]

I'm not a vegetarian but I eat meatless alot, especially for lunch.
I've found some noodle packets from Thai Kitchens that I get at Target that are only 4 points and really tasty.
I also like to mix a can of black beans, a can of no salt corn and some salsa and spices and use that over a couple of days wrapped in whole wheat tortillas.
Also FF refried beans on whole wheat tortillas. I usually melt a slice of 2% cheese in to make it creamier and top with salsa.
I don't know what stores you have in Kansas but at Sam's and Albertsons I can find a California Roll Sushi that is rice, fake crab (made with fish), carrots and avocado that is 2 points for 3 pieces. Sam's also has the Carb Chopper whole wheat tortillas that are huge for 1 point but really soft and yummy.

Most of these will take some advance planning but these are some of my favorite recipes from this site:

Eggplant Meatballs (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55606)
Mushroom and Wild Rice Slow Cooker Stew (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?p=205251#post205251)
Garlic & Spinach Pita Pizza (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=65039)
Spicy Peanut Hummus (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=66156)
Vegetable Stew (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55937)
Portabellos with Goat Cheese (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55574)
Thai-Style Tilapia with Spicy Tomato Sauce (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57891)
Shrimp and Broccoli Fritatta (http://www.24hourfitness.com/html/nutrition/recipes/breakfast/shimp_frittata/)
Skillet Ziti with Vegetables (http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53650)

[LoserJen]

Thank you all for the terrific advice! I can't wait to make some of these recipes. I will have to head to the store tomorrow! I'm so glad I found BCB - it's such a relief to have this tool so handy when I need it!

Thanks again! :kiss:

[lisam427]

the black beans corn and salsa idea sound really good, what type of seasonings do you use?

lisa

[lawstudent]

I've another to add to the pile. It doesn't have a name, as far as I know, but...


Put a small, finely diced onion in a frying pan. Do this with a little broth, or olive oil, whatever you like. I use a bit of plain old olive oil, because I like the taste at the end, but some will see that as unneccesary point splurging. When the onion is translucent-ish, throw in half a teaspoon or so of ground coriander, and turmeric, and cumin. Finely chop a clove or two of garlic and add to the pan, cook for a further thirty seconds or so. Peel a yam or sweet potato (I still don't know the difference) and chop it into about half inch dice. Chuck it in the pan with a cup of broth (Vegetable will work fine, I use chicken, whatever you want). Set the whole thing simmering for 15-20 minutes until the yam is tender. Add a cup or so of cooked chick peas (in a can, they don't need to be hot!) and stir.

If you end up with the 'juice' looking a bit thin, take a tablespoon or so of the juice out and mix with a tablespoon of flour, then stir that back into the pan. That will thicken it. There really isn't much juice, so this step will probably be something you can skip.

I roll this in tortillas, or eat it straight out of a bowl. It is incredibly good for you - think all that beta carotene in those yams! - and keeps for a few days in the fridge. Tastes fab, hot or cold, and this from the girl who never liked sweet potatoes! I threw this stuff together when I was trying to introduce new foods into my diet. I like Indian food, and this was a vague nod to that.

Patricia