Tuesday, March 9, 2010

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!

10 comments:

Mom To The 3rd Power said...

Thought of you last Friday when I was at the Norah Jones concert! I still play your blog playlist daily when we are up in the school room!

Have a great day, Girlfriend!

Sharstin said...

that looks delish! If you would like some other yummy recipes-- My sister in law has a blog where she puts recipes that are vegan--it is all fabulous too--it is http://lori-twentyone.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

CARI!! I so wanted to go and couldn't get tickets with seats together!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Shar, I am going to check out her blog!

Carry Grace said...

This looks yummy!

Rhiannon Bosse said...

ahhh I feel like I need to start cutting out meat too but it seems so hard! I would die without meat, dairy or wheat!! let me know how this goes for you ok?? :)

Lila said...

That looks so good. I'm trying not to lick my screen!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets

Jenni said...

oh, my! there's no way i could do that.... or maybe theres just no way i would want to do that! haha. i love my steaks. great job on staying strong and following through though!!

Krystie said...

I went 2 weeks with no meat and loved it. Now I'm almost dairy free and cut out meat twice a week. It's a good balance!

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

Oh congrats! I'm a home blogger and vegetarian in Europe - so it's super cool to see you taking on this challenge. I think it is so liberating to create a diet that works for you and liberates you from what society says you HAVE TO HAVE.

Onion rings?! Oh man those sound good.
Katie

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