Re: quick and easy dinners for vegetarians needed

Dee Randall wrote:

"Peter Aitken" <paitken@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:AVkRe.146629$ll3.1143117@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Dee Randall" <deedovey@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:11hbli4lh2meg9d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Peter Aitken" <paitken@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:4ikRe.129747$1J2.1059163@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Jude" <JudeNev@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1125453972.289069.265560@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

OK, it's back to school season. No more luxuriating around enjoying
summer vacation - the kids come back next week. I'm gong to a new
school this year and inherited a classroom with 17 years accumulation
of JUNK. I've spent all of this week going through it and filling
trashcans with 1989's curriculum. Next thing I need to do is rearrange
the desks and bookshelves. She has a huge room feeling small and
crowded.

So, anyways, I'm coming home absolutely exhausted every night. Next
week, when kids are back and I actually have to plan lessons and teach
on top of it, I'm gonna be wiped. I need some good ideas for what I can
make for dinner really easily when we get home. Toss together some
ingredients for a casserole, or a crockpot idea that I can leave
simmering all day long. I've got about 30 - 45 minutes from the time we
get home until I need to have dinner on the table for my daughter.
We're both vegetarian, but not opposed to fake meats or even seafood.

I was thinking about a tuna casserole for tomorrow. My mom's recipe but
jazzed up: cooked rice, canned tuna, canned shrimp, celery,
waterchestnuts, cream of something  soup from a can (I use asparagus),
and a little milk. Salt, pepper, celery salt. Topped with crushed up
potato chips. It goes well with a waldorf salad for crunch and cold.

Beyond that, I'm at a loss for casseroles that don't feel too heavy -
it's still 83 degrees here right now and pretty damned humid too.

I know you all can help me! Whatcha got?

All I know is that I'm tired of take-out chinese food and delivery
pizza.


I am a bit puzzled - you ask for "dinners for vegetarians" and then talk about tuna casserole. Vegetarians do not eat fish.



Here is what I gathered, hoping it is correct:
Vegans: a strict vegetarian; someone who eats no animal or dairy products at all.


I do not think that is correct. A vegan is not a "strict vegetarian," they are a vegan. The idea of "strict vegetarian" versus "just plain vegetarian" is silly. You either are or you are not.


Vegetarian: eater of fruits and grains and nuts; someone who eats no meat or fish or poultry.


My point exactly.

People seem to need a term to describe themselves. It's silly, really. If you eat fish but not mammals or birds, that's fine, but there is no term to describe you. Calling yourself (I mean "you" in the generic sense, not personally) a vegetarian in that case is just plain dumb.


Peter Aitken


Sometimes one does need to describe themselves to some people, one sentence, "I'm a vegetarian." That would keep one from ever having to decline an invite to "The Lone Star." They could roll their eyes, talk behind your back, and that would be it, never having to explain yourself again why you didn't want to go here or there, restaurant-wise. I've never had to listen to "Why don't you have a steak, don't you want the prime rib...." for years. Small price to pay for those few words. :-)
Dee Dee



Dee Dee, I think you brought up a good point. If someone is aware someone has diabetes they don't try to force heavy sugar foods on them. I think it is the same for vegetarians or someone who is semi-vegetarian. It's easier to just say that and get on with life rather than get into a huge debate about why you do or why you don't eat certain things. Some people are - I'm searching here for a term but perhaps naive - when you tell them you don't eat certain things. For example I don't eat or avoid a few things because of food allergies. Invariably the number one response is *it's only a little bit, it won't hurt you*. I'm also lactose intolerant and can't believe how many people won't reveal there is milk or milk products in a dish. After many very painful let's hit the washroom right this minute, I got smart and take lactaid before eating anything I didn't prepare myself.
.

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