Veg All...

A week ago Sunday my husband suggested we try a week without meat in our diet. I have for some time REALLY wanted to try, but just could not wrap my brain around the idea and commit to it. And for some reason when he suggested it this time around it just clicked. I have, as of yesterday went a full 7 days and counting with no meat! It really is a liberating feeling taking charge of my diet this way.

I felt compelled to share this after reading Jessica's story of going vegan. I would like to try to cut out dairy at some point, but I am going to try to master the no meat thing first. Some of the things I ate were veg spud, sweet hot sweet potatoes, nachos with veg chili, and potato soup. One of my favorite things and the kids favorite was this Vegetarian Lasagna recipe. It is really good!

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles*
• 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 (26 ounce) jars pasta sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. *Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Rinse with cold water, and drain.
2. In a large saucepan, cook and stir mushrooms, green peppers, onion, and garlic in oil. Stir in pasta sauce and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Mix together ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and eggs.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread 1 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer 1/2 each, lasagna noodles, ricotta mix, sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering, and top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

*I used no cook lasagna noodles*

I hope that this might help someone else that is thinking of going more towards a vegetarian lifestyle. I has pondered it for so long. And am excited to be finding some simple recipes.

And before you think I've been too good I did have to have some onion rings after smelling them at a nearby restaurant. YUM! They are a veg though! LOL!