One night we attended a dinner party in her very tiny flat. The room was so tiny that we were almost sitting against the walls with all rooms in close proximity. We had not met some of the people before and would have preferred to make a good impression.
I had the misfortune to be going through a phase of not wanting to drink anything other than fruit juice. Very silly. Being the very thoughtful person that she was she had prepared me a large glass of the most delicious pure plum juice… here read – prune – same family. Then followed a large dinner of beans, amla and vegetarian food in abundance.
It was not long before it took effect.
Have you ever felt so bloated and full of wind that you dare not move a muscle without embarrassing yourself and everyone in sight? Even worse, the bathroom in full earshot of the rest of the dinner guests, half of which we had not met before. I tried in vain to contain this new threat to my demeanor and eventually excused myself so I could go out on the balcony “to get some air”.
More like get rid of some air.
Unbelievably, everyone arose too and trudged with me out to the balcony.
I was almost desperate by this time and the cramps were extremely severe and I decided I was either going to explode or visit the bathroom. Safe now you would think with everyone on the balcony. Wrong! They all followed me inside again. Deciding that embarrassment was the lesser evil than exploding, I gingerly went in and closed the door and leaning against the wall I tried to stifle the sound of the ever increasing wind shift before venturing in the direction of the plumbing.
Wind like you would find a severe gale or extremely efficient wind tunnel.
You guessed it.
The stifling did not work and the thin walls seemed to act as an echo chamber.
Depth sounder had a whole new meaning and those people we had never met before suddenly knew more of me than I wanted right at that moment. I could hardly crawl out of that bathroom for embarrassment
That was the beginning of my quest for a different focus to my vegetarian food, for quick, easy vegetarian recipes that would allow me to entertain with ease and feel at ease too.
I am no longer totally vegetarian and love to cook all types of food and recipes can taste even better for some creative additions. My recipe collection of easy vegetarian recipes has evolved over time with some very boring meals in the beginning to some truly luscious and scrumptious food that was mouthwatering and memorable.
Simple, quick and easy vegetarian recipes can often add years to your life and dollars to your purse.
Some recipes are from my mother who would often cook “meatless” meals before sit was trendy as we could not afford meat and when asked the recipe she would look puzzled and say it was just out of her head.
Ideas and favorite recipes for fast meals and delicious finales
Makes everything taste delicious and is very quick and very easy to do. You may want to make a double lot and keep in the fridge covered. This is uncooked. Quantities depend on how many people you want to serve so add more or less than recipe)
Cut 4 Tree tomatoes in half scoop out the flesh and chop up finely Add either 1 spring onion, scallions or a small amount of chopped onions or shallots Add brown sugar around a desert spoon full and half a squeezed lime
Mix everything together and leave aside to absorb the flavors.
This salsa is delicious on vegetable patties, fritters, quiche, mashed potatoes and steak for those who are not vegetarian. This recipe can also be made with either tomatoes or peppers and taste delicious too.
Peanut Dipping Sauce
A quick and easy to make delicious and yummy sauce to serve with raw vegetables, grilled vegetable patties, vegetarian Satay sticks, mashed potato or make thinner as a salad dressing or thicker as a dip.
To make Half a cup crunchy peanut butter – 1 Tablespoon sesame seed, 2 cloves crushed garlic, 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, Juice of 1 lemon, 1 cup of water or coconut milk. Method Combine the ingredients in a pot and stir over moderate heat until dipping consistency. Thin with extra water if you require or leave thicker as a dip. Delicious and real easy.
Potato Patties
This is so simple its almost a joke to put it in here with these easy vegetarian recipes
Grate several large potatoes, squeeze out some of the liquid or it will go squelchy. Cut up one onion & chop or grate and add spring onions,shallots, or chives Add parsley, and any other herbs you have around Drop in 2 eggs (organic naturally) and mix everything together Add salt and pepper Drop spoonfuls onto a hot pan and cook. This is delicious with the salsa above and to make even more delicious add feta cheese, either in the mix or sprinkle some on top.
My latest piece-de-resistance is a stunningly simple chocolate sauce that makes any food taste like the latest chef’s invention.
After you have cooked your patties or fritters, add a little stock to the pan, melt a small amount of butter, or margarine although butter will give a better flavor. Add about two rows of dark chocolate over a low heat. Stir this slowly and add wine if you wish (is optional) and Chili gives it a bite and depth. Also optional as not everyone likes Chili Serve. Mint is a good addition. This sauce takes an ordinary meal into a gourmet delight. Just make sure you only make the amount you need at the time or it is ultra easy to scoff the lot.
Luscious Endings to finish your vegetarian banquet
Quick Pineapple dessert
Take yogurt, – one serving for each person, and a can of crushed pineapple Whip it all up and put it in the freezer to set. Serve with fresh yogurt and if you feel decadent grate some chocolate on top or garnish with frozen grapes.
Quick and easy Blackcurrant yogurt dessert
Ideal in tall dessert cups or glasses since this looks appetizing. Layer yogurt, sliced peaches, and more yogurt Sprinkle over blackcurrant syrup and top with a few peaches Serve with a wafer biscuit or ginger nut biscuit.
Enjoy
Carol Skinner is a creative artist and photography enthusiast residing in Sunny Northland in New Zealand. After a career in the property business she gave it up to pursue her passion for Art, especially painting and concentrate on online marketing and has, through the internet rediscovered her fondness for writing articles.
