Just found out that the girl I'm cooking for for a first date is a vegetarian. Favorite dishes?

KaylaChinga · 2 years

Some risotto, toss in the asparagus (grilled and cut into about 3 cm pieces) and a nice bit of Parmesan cheese. Grill the 'shrooms with a little garlic,olive oil, salt, pepper and bread crumbs, serve on the side. If you got all revved up and also grilled a few cherry tomatoes, it'd look pretty.

Merit · 2 years

seriously though, i'd squee my panties if someone made me some mac&cheese.

i'm easily pleased.

googletrickedme · 2 years

Lasagna. Takes some time to cook but its a snap to put together. I would put the portabellos in the sauce, but maybe make a side of grilled asparagus.

Rissotto is pretty easy too and you could probably wedge the asparagus in there with the mushrooms. If you search there was a good how to rissotto thread recently. Definitely add mascarpone (assuming she isn't vegan).

Also, I highly prefer mushroom broth to vegetable broth, as it has a meatier flavor that generally is more close to beef or chicken broth (unless you use crappy stock anyway, I suppose).

corazon_de_melon · 2 years

Pasta tossed with chopped tomato, fresh basil and olive oil. (Easy to prepare and delicious. Get fresh, quality ingredients and you'll be fine.)
French bread cut in slices, (bought at the grocery store bakery). Serve with a saucer of olive oil seasoned with salt and pepper for dipping. (Make sure the olive oil says it's best for "tasting" or "bread dipping".)
Tossed salad: Romaine lettuce, black olives, thin sliced red onions, sliced mushrooms - and if you want to make it really fantastic, you have got to make Bonefish Grill Citrus Herb Vinaigrette for the salad. It's the best dressing I've had in my life.

Edited to add:

I don't drink so I don't know what wine would got best with it. I would pair it with water and a slice of lemon, personally. Also, for dessert, Olive Garden's Tiramasu is awesome. You could get 2 servings for take-out ahead of time and keep in the fridge.

AMerrickanGirl · 2 years

Layered Enchiladas ... not really for two - plan on lots of leftovers!

Two 14-15 oz cans beans (kidney, pinto, black, or whatever you like – I often combine two different kinds)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
One large onion, chopped
5 large garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
3 teaspoons dried oregano
4 dried chili peppers, crumbled, or 2 fresh jalapenos, minced (use less or skip if you don’t like your dish to be too spicy)
2 small zucchini, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 fresh medium tomato, chopped
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
½ cup fresh parsley, minced (or use 2 tablespoons of dried, but you can skip this ingredient if you don’t have it)
Optional: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to sauté corn tortillas (note: I don’t sauté them – can’t tell the difference and it saves calories)
18 corn tortillas
4 cups salsa
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Mash the beans with a potato masher. It’s ok if not all of the beans are fully mashed.

Sauté the onions, garlic, basil, oregano and chili peppers in oil over medium heat until they begin to soften, then add zucchini and green pepper and sauté until tender but still firm.

Mix the vegetables with the mashed beans. Add tomato, corn, salt, cayenne and parsley. Stir and set aside.

Optional step: brush the corn tortillas lightly with salsa and fry them one or two at a time in oil until lightly toasted but not crisp. Set aside on paper towels. I don’t do this – I just use the tortillas right out of the package and it comes out fine.

In a 9 x 13 baking pan, cover the bottom with a layer of salsa.
Arrange 6 tortillas to cover the sauce.
Cover with half the bean/vegetable mixture.
Cover with half the grated cheeses.
Add half the remaining salsa, then 6 more tortillas, bean mixture, last 6 tortillas, then the rest of the salsa, finishing with the rest of the cheese.
Sprinkle with basil and oregano.

Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees (the recipe doesn’t specify whether to cover it or not – I usually do). Allow to set for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with salsa and sour cream on the side.

theonusta · 2 years

Roast acorn squash with chili-lime vinaigrette.

Just take 2 acorn squash about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds each. Split them in half, scoop out seeds, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Put cut side down on a cookie sheet and roast at 450 for 30-35 minutes.

Meanwhile finely mince 2 clove garlic, add 1/2 t. salt, 3 T lime juice, one hot thai chili jalapeno or some Sri Racha, and 4 T cilantro to about 1/2 c. of oil. You can make this dressing ahead of time too. Then once the squash is done roasting, everyone gets a half and you pour on the dressing.

We made it with some wild rice on the side. AMAZING!

stacy75 · 2 years

Pan Fried Gnocchi with Spinach Cream Sauce

I made it more pesto-y and I used pre-made gnocchi from the pasta aisle in the store but it was delish.

I actually got this from reddit before... and so we come full circle.

punxsutawney · 2 years

Make a homemade pizza.

Dough mix is cheap and has simple instructions. Same with cheese and pizza sauce.

Cook a white onion, some peppers and the mushrooms in a skillet with extra virgin olive oil, vinegar and soy sauce before adding them to the pizza.

edit: serve with red wine and a simple Caesar salad.

eketchum · 2 years

I love this Ratatouille recipe. Its fairly simple and oh so good.

MeGusta · 2 years

Vegetarian girls love falafel.

It's pretty easy (get the box; falafel from scratch is unheard of), and you can do plenty with the sides. Got a food processor or a blender? Make hummus. Make some tzatziki. Eat with pita.

[deleted] · 2 years

macaroni and cheese! thank you reddit: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/best-recipes/macaroni-and-cheese-recipes?src=edit&mag=ghk&chan=hp&click=HP&link=macaroni-and-cheese-recipes-WFD-W

rwanger · 2 years

This has wooed everyone I've ever served it to and is far easier to make than the name implies: Griddled Sesame and Garlic Tofu with Wilted Bok Choy

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipeId=1805

specialkake · 2 years

World's greatest Corn chowder

Veggie Aisle:
Celery
Onions
Garlic
Red/Green/Yellow peppers
Carrots
Fresh Thyme
Potatoes, diced about 1 inch (I’d use Red Bliss, but use whatever you’d like)

Middle Aisles:
1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
4 cups Chicken Broth. (Homemade’s great, but Swanson’s will do. Low sodium if you can find it, since I’m going to add salt to taste later)
Paprika
Chili powder

Frozen
Bag o’ corn.

Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the veggies and herbs except corn and potatoes, and saute for 2 minutes.
Add the flour and stir to make a roux.
Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in another saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.

In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.

theotagogirl · 2 years

I would roast the asparagus. Toss it in some olive oil and salt and pepper and bake for about 10 minutes on 425F. Take it out and then use a vegetable peeler to grate slices of Parmesan cheese over the top. You could use the mushrooms to make a mushroom sauce and serve it over pasta. Mushroom sauce is really easy and I would just google something that people have rated, e.g. epicurious.com or food network. Make sure to sprinkle the mushroom sauce with some parsley or something green to pretty it up a little. Also a good idea to serve with a salad, maybe a panzanella (see Ina Garten's recipe on Food Network as it is awesome), or a green salad with goat cheese/blue cheese (something cheesy) and pomegranate seeds/tomatoes (something red). Don't do anything too complicated as vegetarians usually have very simple palettes. We seriously just love veg!

Also, you could make a lot of this in advance so you don't actually have to spend a lot of time cooking while she is there. Make the mushroom sauce in advance and just heat it when you need it. You can get the asparagus ready and grate the parmesan ahead of time. Prepare the panzanella components or other salad component in advance and mix them just before you serve.

cmiller1 · 2 years

Zucchini burgers! Cut a zucchini in thick slices, about an inch thick and dice an onion. Caramelize the onions in a pan with some olive oil. Remove onions, place the zucchini slices in a single layer on the pan, cook until soft, turning occasionally. Remove zucchini slices and brown some of your favorite hamburger buns in the pan (I like portuguese rolls cut in half). Put the bottom half of the buns down, spread thin layer of mayo on it, throw a few dashes of black pepper over the mayo. Lay down a zucchini slice on each bun, season with salt and pepper, grate a GENEROUS dose of parmesan over this, then put down some lettuce and maybe a slice of tomato. Add the top bun and you're alll set.

hypnopixel · 2 years

noodles will get her in the mood.

phoenixtx · 2 years

vegetarian lasagna or manicotti. mmm.

freshpickles · 2 years

If you want a nice hearty meal with good freezable leftovers I suggest chili. I don't have a specific recipe but they're all over the internet and you can seal the deal with some corn bread and a salad

SodaNim · 2 years

Does she eat eggs? Asparagus frittata is easy. http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/asparagus_frittata/

PvtJoker1987 · 2 years

Lentil Soup/Stew is excellent and easy. Just throw some lentils in to boil. Add all the veggies you want (green pepper, carrots, tators, spinach, GARLIC, onions, etc) add some cans of diced tomato (or dice your own), and don't forget the spices. I suggest some type of Indian curry paste. A couple tablespoons and you have an easy and hearty meal. Its hard to mess this one up, but I would try it prior to making it for her on a date. It should take less than an hour. Good Luck!

SpacePirate · 2 years

Mushroom Stroganoff.

It's cheap and easy, and delicious. Basically only requires some egg noodles, mushrooms, worcestershire sauce, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and butter.

From there, season to taste with garlic, onion powder, pepper, etc. Top with fresh-chopped green onions/chives for color.

ronnygunz · 2 years

Potato and Leek Soup is one of my favorites. Also, America's Test Kitchen did a "Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup" if she's not down with dairy, and that recipe is fantastic.

quaquenbiquar · 2 years

The first date I had with my vegetarian girlfriend (who is now my wife), I made this:

Chop a couple portobello mushrooms into cubes and about a pound of asparagus (or broccoli since asparagus is out of season). Saute the hell out of that with some garlic.

Then you need to make about a cup or so of pesto sauce (or buy some from the store) and add that to the vegetables. After a minute or two add half-and-half until you reach a desired level of creaminess.

Toss that mixture with however much rotini pasta you think you'd like (I've generally used close to a 16oz bag) and then serve it topped with fresh chopped parsley, chopped tomatoes and parmesan cheese.

That'll get you in her pants.

EverythingisMe · 2 years

Pasta is the way to go.

Make a simple mushroom sauce with white wine: Saute chopped onion + garlic + sliced mushrooms until soft, deglaze with 0.5 cup white wine, then add salt and pepper to taste. If you want it richer, you can mount it with cream or half and half and butter. Add 0.5 cup of pasta water to the sauce before mixing with the pasta. Save the wine to drink with her!

Grilled or steamed asparagus just needs a little bit of butter, salt, pepper and lemon, nothing else. Serve it as a side.

Bakadan · 2 years

One of my favorite dishes is a roasted eggplant. What I do is, I slice the eggplant into 3/4" slices, and place them in a baking pan coated with olive oil. Place them in the oven at 375 until they start to look creamy. Then, put on a slice of fresh tomato (or two) to cover the eggplant, some crumbled mozzarella and feta cheese, and some fresh herbs. Put it back into the oven until the cheese just starts to brown. Serve it on a bed of sauteed spinach and a side of rice. I like saffron, myself. It's always a winner in my house.

nargi · 2 years

mini portobellos?

...criminis?

zurtri · 2 years

Cooking for Vege's is easy.

You simply get a normal meal and replace the meat with Mushrooms, beans, tofu or a combination of the above.

I find that a vegetarian lasagna is the way to go.

One tip - make sure she is aware (in a subtle fashion) of how much work you have put into the meal.

[deleted] · 2 years

I love a good, well-aged ribeye. If she doesn't like it, fuck her. Literally. She'll get over it.

jmikola · 2 years

If you need a salad to start the meal, see here.

elustran · 2 years

101cookbooks.com is basically all veggie (lacto-ovo). I get a lot of my meals from there.

paper_parade · 2 years

Check out vegweb.com. I'm a vegetarian and I get nearly all my recipes from there. Try the tempeh "fish" tacos.

lewah · 2 years

Marinara and pasta are a easy and flavorful with a little bit of effort (although you do need to plan).

Dice a couple small to medium size onions and put into a pot with 1tbsp of hot olive oil, saute dice up or use a garlic press on 1 clove of garlic, put in with the onions either grate a small carrot and put it into the saute now or toss a tsp of granulated sugar into the sauce after putting in the tomato paste after everything is sauteed, put in two large cans of plum tomatoes, a small can of tomato paste and 1 cup of red wine (and the sugar if you didnt include a carrot).

Use with a nice cheese ravioli, ziti, spaghetti or tortellini

a green salad and a loaf of bread and dessert from a local bakery (or safeway) should seal the deal.

If you get a moderately nice bottle of red wine, use that in the pasta sauce and then serve it with dinner. make sure to highlight the connection and have an extra bottle on hand just in case it turns into one of those type of nights

JimboBob · 2 years

Hot beef injection?

tim404 · 2 years

I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions on what to cook... so... for the first time you guys go out, if it's available, there's a lot of good vegetarian/vegan to be found in Etheopian food.

[deleted] · 2 years

Find a different girlfriend. Vegetarianiss is an affectation and if she has that she probably has others by which to complicate your life unnecessarily. Move on.

stringerbell · 2 years

Just cook a steak and tell her it's a special type of tofu flown in from Japan, very expensive and totally meat-like....

smift · 2 years

STEAK TARTAR! WITH A FUCKING RAW EGG!

ryguy_1 · 2 years

ewwww - vegetarian food

IHaveALargePenis · 2 years

T-Bone with chilly topped off with shrimp and caviar. Make food so good she'll eat meat again.

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