In the hopes of incorporating some more vegetarian meals in our diet, I set out to explain to hubby why we should be eating purely vegetarian at least 3-4 times a week. I hear his grunts, his moans and I ignore them. Don’t get me wrong, we do try to eat sensibly, fish, vegetables and often chicken or turkey. We try to stay away from red meat, but do indulge every so often. There’s nothing like a nice roast lamb, a good beef stew, a juicy steak and hubby’s favorite pork chops. There are a few vegetarian bloggers that come up with such a variety of dishes, it just blows me away. I’ve made a couple of vegetarian dishes today, including my surprise dessert at the end of this post.
The above was a Potato/Tomato and Mushroom Gratin. I just added spices as I went along, and it was super-perfect! I sauteed and caramelized the onions first, then added some garlic, oregano, Italian seasonings, fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary and some white wine. I added cherry tomatoes and layered the casserole with potatoes and alternated with a layer of the vegetable mixture. I baked it in the oven covered for 40 minutes, then added some grated Parmesan and rammed it under the broiler for a few seconds. It was a hit, hubby loves potatoes in anything, so this was a winner!
My next vegetarian dish is an old favorite – Spicy Okra in a rich tomato sauce
Spicy Okra in a rich tomato sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 long fresh green chillies, chopped
- 4 curry leaves
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 kg okra
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 cup firmly packed fresh coriander leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
Method
- Heat oil in large pan; cook onions, stirring until browned lightly. Add the seeds, cook, stirring until seeds start to pop. Add garlic, chillies, curry leaves, ground coriander, turmeric, paprika and ginger; cook, stirring until fragrant.
- Add okra, stir to coat in the spice mixture. Add water, paste, vinegar and sugar, boil, then immediately simmer covered about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally or until okra is tender. Just before serving, stir in coriander leaves and sprinkle with garam masala.
My last dish I will be presenting today is Secretly Healthy Fudge Bites. Would you believe it if I told you the ingredients included a can of black beans? I’ve made these a few times, and they definitely satisfy my inner chocolate cravings. Pitted dates, applesauce, Hershey’s cocoa powder and chocolate chips were among some of the other ingredients. I’ve frozen a secret stash for a rainy day :)). Just look at the chocolatey goodness with a light drizzle of chocolate ganache to down it all 🙂 The best part??? You cannot even taste the black beans. We had some friends around for dinner last night. Their wee 5 year old, asked for seconds, what a great way to get the healthy benefits in :))
I’m off to Fiesta Friday #60, hosted by the ever lovely and gracious Angie@TheNoviceGardener. This week her co-hosts are Tracy@ScratchitCook and Nancy@FeastingwithFriends. I’m very excited that Angie has worked hard to implement a self-hosted site for us, we can now, dance, mingle, drink, feast and party on till the wee hours. Thanks Tracy and Nancy, be sure to check out their creative blogs friends. Also, let’s be sure to welcome newcomers, comment on other blogs, enjoy each others creations and have a rollicking good time. Cheers friends 🙂
Looks like I’m not the only one thinking of veggies! I’m serving veggies @FF60 too!! 😀 Love okras, just haven’t been able to cook them right! Aha, vinegar! That must be the secret!
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Thanks for visiting Angie, I know how busy you are. I know what you mean about okra, all that slimy stuff eh? If you keep it intact, that should do the trick me thinks, probably vinegar does too. 🙂
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We must start eating better! These recipes look great but I’m not seeing the fudge recipe on my phone. Guess I’ll have to go crack open my laptop and hope it’s there! 😉 Elle
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Nope! No link for the sweet part of this post. If you could supply a link or the recipe I would be ever so grateful! 😉 ~Elle
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Will happily type it for you, it’s not much. Send me your email addy.
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Do you always check WP on your phone Elle? Wow, how do you manage that? For me, I’m pretty much old-fashioned, if it is not the desk-top, I don’t feel it is complete or shows much. I don’t even use my tablet for that same reason. Anyway, I don’t believe I posted the recipe for the fudge bites, but if you send me your contact info, I’ll happily type it up for you. Is there a “contact me” button on your site?
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You can download the WP app. I read through my reader a lot if we are traveling. And I actually wrote today’s post on my phone. I don’t do that often though! I’ll have to put a contact button on my post. Here’s my email. knowles.elle@gmail.com
Thanks so much! ~Elle
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This is just too good Loretta ❤️
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Thanks Sonal, hubby might not agree, but he’s relented me thinks 🙂
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Lol 😂
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Very easy to have veggie days when the food looks like this! 🙂 Thank you… off to buy okra now! 🙂
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Aww, thanks very much :). I hope you enjoy the okra dish.
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Yum! I love the idea of incorporating more vegetarian meals in your diets- although I’m sure my husband would have the same protesting grunts! 😉
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Thanks Tracy, I believe half the battle was won, so I’m cheering on the sidelines 🙂
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What a lovely spread Loretta! Who needs meat when you can have such brilliant veg dishes! Those secretly healthy fudge bites look amazing!!!
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Thanks Naina, sometimes I draw a blank when it comes to cooking fully vegetarian, I know a lot of Indian veggie dishes, and pasta dishes, but I am about to increase that now 🙂
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What a gorgeous dish! I bet if hubby didn’t know that you didn’t have meat in this meal he wouldn’t have even missed it. Have a great weekend! J
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Ha ha, yes thanks Nancy. Enjoy your weekend too, I’ll bet you can’t wait for next week. Will be thinking of you 🙂
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My, oh my Loretta…you’ve brought an absolute feast to this week’s FF! I certainly won’t miss the meat with what you’re offering. 🙂 Fabulous bounty of all things veggies…LOVE it all!
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Thanks Nancy, now if I can only come up with meatless dishes 3-4 times a week? Actually, I believe I’m winning. Thanks for co-hosting by the way, you’re always such a gracious co-host 🙂
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Such delicious vegetarian dishes! I love the black bean fudge bites 🙂
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Thanks Sarah, it seems like the black bean fudge bites were a hit, maybe I should have added the recipe to that too :). Thanks for stopping by.
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Yes, you should! 🙂
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My hubby is big fan of ladies finger and I m sure he will love this
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I meant okra
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I knew what you meant, we used to call them that too 🙂
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3-4 times/week? I am on a campaign for 1 vegetarian day/week! Your recipes sounds delicious and I am so impressed by the healthy fudge with black beans!! Amazing and it looks delicious 🙂
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Hey, that’s great Petra, even once a week is plenty, so go for it :). The fudge bites were a hit, hiding them in the freezer resists temptation 🙂
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I think more than 1/week would be a challenge but 3-4 times would be great!
You are so funny hiding the fudge in the freezer, I must make some, just bought a bunch of black beans! 🙂
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As always, your photos and recipes are drool inducing! I don’t know about the okra though. haha. 😛
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Thank you so much. I could do with some extra help with the photography though. Like I said before, I was not able to participate in the class, but I do get the assignments each day and I’ve bookmarked them and will go through it. As for the okra, ha ha, I guess it might just be an acquired taste. 🙂
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I would be glad to help. Just holler. 🙂
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Your Okra, looks so good especially with green chillies 🙂
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Yes it was good, good n’ spicy, the way I like them 🙂
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Just heard those grunts and moans from my girl( a bit girlie though) when I presented veggies at meal time. But ‘go healthy go green’ as you said at least a few times a week. The okra looks delicious 🙂
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Everything in moderation eh? That’s my motto. So a bit of green a few times a week never hurt. Happy weekend and FF 🙂
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Fudge bites, now you are talking!
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They were so moreish, they are all gone :))
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I don’t necessarily consciously do it but we do have meatless once or twice a week, should maybe try more. Tricky when feeding a toddler too! I love the look of the okra, always nice to have new ways to try it.
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I think that’s plenty Caroline….it is hard feeding a toddler that’s true. I don’t always follow my own rules though 🙂
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Last summer I discovered okra and just love it! Thanks for a new recipe I will be anxious to try. I do the same, trying to eat vegetarian a few days a week – I think I feel better when I am not eating meat. Now fish is a different matter! Happy FF 🙂
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That’s great Judi, I do run out of ideas though on the vegetarian scene, but so many bloggers out there have inspired me. …. Now do you not like fish? I know your salmon cutlets were gorgeous. I love fish too, and do make fish cutlets quite a bit as well.
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What a lovely array of dishes! We eat vegetarian a lot, but I seem to be posting more meat recipes lately! Now that spring is here, I’m going to have to lighten up!
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I think we’re all gonna have to lighten up with the salads and light fare. 🙂
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I hafta say, I always get a bit pissed off at my food magazines that show all the beautiful spring vegetables and fruits, and I’m in Minnesota where the ground is still frozen and none of it is in the store, yet!
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Oh dearie me… Minnesota? You guys still have snow on the ground?
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The snow’s gone and the ice on the lake is starting to go out and we’re getting warmer days, but we had an incredible cold beginning to March – hopefully in like a lion, out like a lamb! 🙂
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Loretta, two of my favorites. Love the okra and the fudge, beautiful pictures as always.
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Thanks Nandini. You’ll have to try the fudge, it’s amazing what a can of black beans does 🙂
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Yes Loretta I will give it a try, hopefully sometime soon :-). Take Care.
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Love this combination of yummyness! I try and eat vegetarian as much as possible too! Love the fudge bites, so awesome!
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Thanks Michelle. Now with the summer months coming up, I think we’ll all probably be indulging in more salads and greens, lighter and healthier 🙂
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Yum! Really like all the vegetables, spices and the fudgy chocolate dessert at the end!!! 🙂
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Hi Loretta,
I never had Okra before and your recipe looks so good.
Thanks so much for your interest in my blog Julie’s Lifestyle as I was the guest blogger on Sarah’s Kitchen today. If you would like to follow my blog you can by going onto my blog and signing up by email to get alerts by email when I do a new blog post. Thanks for your nice comments about my knit and crochet work. I do charity work at my church by knitting and crocheting all year long for the sister that runs our group and she gives our items to hospitals, to the poor and I make things for our annual Christmas Fair we have each fall.
Thanks again.
Julie @ Julie’s Lifestyle
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Thanks Julie. I realize now that you are not on Word Press, that’s why I could not just follow you with a click of a button. I usually read all my new posts from other bloggers on The Reader, which just appears each day on the site. I did sign up for your emails, but I try not to sign up for too many emails, or else my inbox would be close to bursting with just blog posts :). I wish I could find a similar place around here where I could donate crochet/knitting items, I’ll have to try and find some around here. Thanks for getting back to me. 🙂
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Aww thanks Loretta! I will be stopping by your blog from time to time as well! 😀
Julie @ Julie’s Lifestyle
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I love veggies and okra as well. I make and eat salads almost every day, but to eat 3-4 days a week only veg.food for us it’s impossible! 🙂
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I know, I know, I’m trying, not sure if this will work here either. Perhaps I meant fish & veg 3-4 days a week, now that I can manage 🙂
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