Sunday Sweet 'n' Sour

3 tbsp veg oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, grated
1 green pepper, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ c sesame seeds (use sesame oil in second part of recipe if you don’t have these)

While sautéeing about 10 mins, till tender, in a bowl mix the following:

2 eggs
1 c breadcrumbs
3/4 c walnuts, ground or finely chopped
¼ chopped parsley (1 tb dry)
1 tb dijon mustard
1 and ½ tb oil
3 tb soya sauce
1 tsp ground fennel seed (or dried mint and ground cloves)
3/4 tsp oregano
black pepper
1 pkg tofu (350 g)

Lightly beat eggs, add bread crumbs and then remaining ingredients. Mash the tofu, which you have pressed the moisture out of by pressing gently between two clean cloths, and add to bowl. Mix well and form one-and-one-half inch balls, make into patties or pat into an 8”x8” oiled pan. Bake at 350F for 20-30 mins.


Sauce:

In a pot combine:
1 and ½ c brown sugar
3 heaping tb cornstarch
½ tsp salt

Add:
½ c vinegar
¼ c lemon juice
3 c water

Cook over medium heat until thick and clear, stirring constantly.
Add:

1 can crushed pineapple


Serve balls, patties or loaf over brown rice and spoon sweet 'n' sour sauce over top.

Put a green salad on the table with this and you’ve got a meal fancy enough to serve your weekend company.

What is a Vegetarian WannaBe?

Do you want to eat well and happily without consuming dead animals? I do, although once in a while I get a craving for a steak sandwich or a homemade burger, and when that happens I indulge myself. I am not eager to give up eggs or cheese just yet, either. Maybe that will come later. While they can be all-purpose helpers in making the transition to a vegetarian diet, I try not to lean too heavily on them.

It is pretty disheartening to spend an hour or more (especially after buying expensive or unfamiliar ingredients not normally kept in my kitchen) preparing a new vegetarian recipe only to find that not only won't my kids eat it, but I can't handle more than one bite myself. Oh yes, it's happened a few times. So I am putting together the collection of simple recipes that I wish was out there, the recipes I've made and served successfully and satisfyingly: my favourites, the ones that are repeatedly seen on my kitchen table.

If you have any great-tasting, nutritious, easy-to-assemble, tried-and-true vegetarian recipes you'd like to share, send them to me. I'll try them myself and they might end up in The Vegetarian WannaBe.