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Keeping Meatless Meals Memorable
Brought to you by Morningstar Farms
Comments (13)
Once you've converted your favorite recipes to meatless and mastered the stir-fry, you may start wondering what's next on the meatless menu. Here are some ideas for keeping your meals interesting.
Learn some new tricks at a vegetarian cooking class. You can usually find them by checking the bulletin board at your local natural grocery, or checking the extracurricular classes at a culinary school. Many cooking classes cover prep techniques, so you may learn ways to streamline meals along with new recipes.
Chinese and Mexican are known for their meatless offerings, but have you tried Ethiopian or Lebanese yet? Middle Eastern and Eastern cuisines offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, and even food from countries not known for their meatless meals may offer interesting flavor combinations and sauces.
How often have you bought a cookbook that features one food or cuisine only to use just a couple of the recipes? Instead, check out a cookbook from your local library and try a few of the recipes. Photocopy and laminate the ones you know you will make again. Return, check out a new cookbook and repeat.
There are many great reasons for buying local, seasonal produce. It's fresher, usually more sustainable and you're supporting local farmers. One other benefit is that your menu changes throughout the year. Instead of eating the same handful of dishes over and over, you'll get to look forward to your favorites being in season.
The Internet is a great resource for recipes and techniques. You can also look for vegetarian restaurants in your area or for your next trip. Several sites let you look according to location and cuisine, and provide reviews. Or, search for all of the above and find a destination that offers vegetarian cuisine and cooking classes!
Jennifer (2/26/2009 5:25:48 PM)
I've only been a veggie for three years and couldn't live without MF! Best variety and taste I know of. I have had some of the strongest "meat only" people compliment me on my dishes made with your products. Prices are more expensive than "meat" but in the long run it's worth it. My boyfriend didn't like the idea, now he asks for MorningStar for meals!!!!
Colleen (2/2/2009 10:31:08 AM)
We really enjoy your products and buy them on a regular basis. I would like to see more coupons offered that are easy to access as the products can add up quickly when you buy a lot of them.
Prices (1/22/2009 7:49:31 PM)
The local grocery stores are raising the prices of your products radically, no doubt due to greed over the recent gas issues. I found that it pays to truck to Walmart for your products, for they have them at decent prices. Note that I am not a fan of Walmart, but to get MF products, I do what I have to do!
A new breakfast (1/22/2009 7:49:22 PM)
I cooked up three bacon strips and put them inside a cheddar cheese sandwich which I then grilled (like grilled cheese). My husband (a meat eater) smelled the bacon and the cheese and bread cooking. "What are you making? he asked. I had to make one for him, too!
mary (1/15/2009 8:54:16 AM)
Just tried your product for the first time. Had the vegan patties for breakfast. I am impressed - the flavor is great. I am shopping today and trying more of your food. Thank you!
kathy8796 (1/3/2009 9:40:08 AM)
I would love to have some coupons & cannot pull up that info. with my coded coupon
Lillian (11/22/2008 3:16:22 PM)
I am glad to have found a company that is taking some interest in my behalf, health wise.
i love your foods (9/19/2008 3:35:26 PM)
you have the best meatless meals there are and i just cant live without your foods!
Deborah (8/10/2008 10:03:49 PM)
We all love the Chik Patties. We go through at least 2 boxes a week and that is just for snacks. I usually make sandwiches for the kids with mayo and tomato on pita. Sometimes the kids melt provolone cheese on them, drizzle olive oil, a little oregano and tomato and you're good to go-bread or no bread. We also use the grillers as well... we are dedicated to this line. My only complaint would be they are a little expensive especially when you are feeding them to your family weekly. More coupons on your various products would be helpful. Thanks--- keep them coming!
Sherri (8/8/2008 6:46:12 PM)
I love the meal starters recipe crumbles, ESPECIALLY the sausage-like ones. I use them in so many recipes, however all of the stores in my area don't carry them anymore. I will need to start traveling way out of my way to get them, according to your store locater. I don't understand why? They were always selling out!
Ross (7/25/2008 8:52:00 AM)
We eat a box of the sausage, chicken, burgers, and new ginger and southwestern patties each week. The country scramble rounds are pretty tasty too. It would be nice to have occasional coupons on or inside the boxes to increase brand loyalty and more frequent purchaser rewards.
Kara (5/15/2008 9:04:21 AM)
Wow, that sounds absolutely delicious!!! I'd probably make it a bit more spicy though. :-)
Deborah (5/4/2008 6:17:44 PM)
I like using the meal starter chik'n strips for couscous. I roast zucchini peppers, carrots, eggplant, potato cubes. I saute onions, garlic, a bit of celery - till softened and remove. I add in a spot of oil to brown the chik'n strips, remove. I add the roasted veggies and the onions and garlic, a bay leaf or two, a half teaspoon of turmeric, the skin - and no ribs or seeds - of half a dried red hot pepper. I don't like it too spicy, it should be subtle. I add a bit of smoked or regular paprika and cumin and a splash of golden balsamic vinegar or white wine, a can of rinsed chick peas and a handful of whole green beans - tips removed and a can of whole cherry tomatoes from Italy - packed in juice, and a bit of broth. you can use died tomatoes or a box of grape tomatoes and some tomato juice. let it simmer till you feel its done but not over cooked. the separate roasting of the vegetables will prevent it from tuning to mush while its all cooking. I make the couscous which is very easy, just follow directions. you can use half broth and half water or all water. check the stew for sea salt and fresh ground pepper, add the meal starters chik'n strips and let cook a few minutes on low to blend. sprinkle with lots of chopped fresh parsley and serve. it rocks!
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