Vegetarian Entree idea

Replies: 11 - Last Post: Jan 30, 2013 1:40 AM Last Post By: rhythm_blues

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Dec 19, 2012 8:10 AM
Posts: 658

Vegetarian Entree idea

Several folks have mentioned the challenge of finding good ideas for vegetarians. I saw this Sweet Potato Burrito described at the Heavy Table site in a restaurant review and it sounds like it has potential for adaptation to an at-home-prepared maindish.

"The sweet potato burrito ($9.50) is the meatiest meatless burrito you’re likely to get anywhere in town. Sweet potatoes and black beans get a quick stint on the griddle before being stuffed into a wheat tortilla. They’re held together by a gooey matrix of pepper jack cheese and Tao’s even excellent, rich, chunky guacamole. A drizzling of garlic-yogurt sauce completes the soulful plate with a welcome tang."

Donkeystone

Dec 19, 2012 12:25 PM
Posts: 841

The only problem is the pepper jack is made with rennet and that's not vegetarian.

Midwesterner

Dec 19, 2012 12:32 PM
Posts: 658

Donkeystone - I'm confident that the restaurant reviewed knows its stuff. You may not be able to get vegetarian pepper jack, but they have source depth (Wisconsin is just across the river from here...)

And here's a link to a site with brands/types of cheese made without animal rennent, i.e. using vegetable-derived rennent. A very popular local company (Land of Lakes) has many varieties on the list.
http://cheese.joyousliving.com/CheeseListType.aspx

Edited by: Midwesterner to add the cheese link

sashac001

Dec 19, 2012 1:24 PM
Posts: 8,298

Whether strict vegetarian or not it sounds really yummy.

Donkeystone

Dec 19, 2012 10:33 PM
Posts: 841

I'm sure they do but the proof is in the pudding, I have on the whole found that vegan dairy and rennet free cheese is something to be desired, and although I thoroughly understand the need for dairy such alternatives, cheese making is still at stage one as far as taste goes.

Donkeystone

Dec 19, 2012 10:34 PM
Posts: 841

...the need for dairy / rennet free alternatives... Sorry.

Midwesterner

Dec 20, 2012 6:10 AM
Posts: 658

#4 - Recipe is vegetarian, not vegan. Cheese is, of course, dairy.

As you note, there is no such thing now as an acceptable-tasting dairy-free alternative. A friend who's daughter has a dairy allergy tried all alternatives on the market here, wanting to be able to make/freeze pizza at home for the whole family, to have on hand as quick meals. They gave up and just switched to egg rolls as their standby.

nutraxfornerves

Dec 20, 2012 7:11 AM
Posts: 6,811

The most common alternative these days is not vegetable rennet but rather enzymes derived from microbial fermentation. I found estimates that about 70%-90% of US cheese is made with some sort of microbial enzyme.

Edited to add that it's not just supermarket cheese. This small, artisanal cheese producer uses only microbial rennet to produce some pretty fantastic cheeses, including jalapeño and habanero jacks. Vella Cheese

Cheese that is certified kosher will not contain animal rennet, so that is one way to tell.

Edited by: nutraxfornerves

tony0001

Dec 20, 2012 9:35 AM
Posts: 2,426

Sounds v good to me, Mw.

Donkeystone

Dec 20, 2012 10:51 AM
Posts: 841

I recently got hold of some Auroville vegetarian / vegan parmesan, it smelled like an over ripe sock struck with gram positive bacteria and the taste was sharp verging on sour.

hardnosethehighway

Dec 20, 2012 4:56 PM
Posts: 1,077

Stodge

rhythm_blues

Jan 30, 2013 1:40 AM
Posts: 141

Here are some vegetarian meals we've made and enjoyed:

Baked squash, sautéed vegetables, and quinoa
Tomato-basil soup and portabella mushrooms drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Squash soup and mushroom risotto
Eggplant parmesan and salad
Miso soup with tofu, edamame, and vegetarian sushi (tamago, cucumber, red pepper)
Burritos with black beans or refried pinto beans, cheese, lettuce, and tomato