Vegetarian Nutrition

A delicious breakfast is a wonderful gift that we can give to ourselves and our loved ones each and every day.  Fruit toast is a take on French toast, but without the use of butter, eggs, or syrup.  This recipe … Continue reading →

Busy families wanting to make healthy last-minute meals need to keep staple ingredients on hand. Continue reading →

Artichokes are an edible, Mediterranean vegetable that make a great appetizer for two or three people. Half of a medium globe by itself is equivalent to ¼ cup vegetables and 30 Calories. Continue reading →

We return to Canada to feature this sensuous and creamy dessert. The secret ingredient, avocado, makes it thick and rich, yet avocado cannot be detected in the flavor, so you can play a guessing game with tasters. Continue reading →

This scramble is rich in flavor and texture and will be sure to be a crowd pleaser. The addition of the chipotle peppers are a wonderful way to add a smoky, spicy flavor to any dish. Continue reading →

On wet spring evenings when the weather is damp and chilly I love to sit down to my comfort food – a steaming hot bowl of thick noodle soup. Soba noodles add a rich flavor that blends well with seitan and vegetables. Continue reading →

Spring is in the air. Celebrate spring with this sweet, fruity salad topped with tangy, balsamic dressing and crunchy almond slivers. Continue reading →

Tired of bland, boring food? Spice up your meals this month with two great recipes from our Vegetarian Nutrition DPG Recipe Contest. Now is the time to try new recipes to spice up your meal routine. Continue reading →

Why give your sweetheart a box full of high-Calorie treats, when you could surprise him/her with this healthy breakfast treat? Continue reading →

This Valentine’s Day treat the ones you love with a little Mexican style parfait. This dish includes three layers – a savory bean and mushroom layer, a smoky red pepper and corn layer, and a refreshing tomatillo-avocado salsa. Not into the parfait look? This dish can also be “wrapped” with love in a tortilla. Continue reading →

This stir fry features quinoa in place of rice and has a colorful mix of vegetables with red pepper, kale, and edamame. It also has a surprisingly lemon flavor thanks to the lemon juice and zest added just prior to serving. Continue reading →

Collard greens and black-eyed peas are a special Southern dish for the New Year as they symbolize good fortune. Other symbolic ingredients include stewed tomatoes and corn, which represent health and wealth. This recipe combines all of these symbolic ingredients into one tasty dish. Continue reading →

Holiday cooking lends to creative presentation. This dish, utilizing white parsnip instead of potatoes, looks and tastes great as a savory and sweet, vegetable “sundae.” Continue reading →

When it comes to dressing up your dishes this holiday, go green (use avocados)! Although 82% of the avocado’s Caloric content is derived from fat, the majority of that fat is monounsaturated. The avocado is also a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Continue reading →

The many colors of fall are best reflected in the produce that comes into fruition in this last growing season of the year. No produce better reflects this than winter squash. Continue reading →

Chicken and wild rice are a familiar staple when the weather starts to turn cold in the upper Midwest. It provides a nutty flavor and slightly crunchy texture to dishes and is used in soups, salads, and casseroles. Continue reading →

Hungry for a quick sandwich that packs a lot of flavor into a little package? This recipe can be prepared in less than 10 minutes and is as easy to make for one as it is for many. The bagel thins can be substituted with rye bread for a more traditional reuben or a pocketless pita. Continue reading →

Summer is the time to celebrate the bountiful harvests of the bush berry and tree fruit seasons. This combination is a refreshing drink that has a little zing to it because of the ginger. So kick back, relax, and enjoy … Continue reading →

Frozen fruit such as grapes, blueberries, and strawberries make a delicious and nutritious treat during the warm, summer months. They are an excellent replacement to sugary popsicles and the flavor is all natural! Preparation is the key to properly freezing … Continue reading →

This refreshing, summer salad has slight hints of the sea without any fishy ingredients. Onion and celery lend a crunch to this otherwise soft salad. For best flavor, allow the salad to refrigerate overnight. For extra crunch, serve on a bed of mixed salad. Continue reading →

Forget the chopsticks and take out box! This sweet and hot dish with crunchy lettuce and bite-size, breaded tofu is ready to go in its own pita pocket. No utensils required. Continue reading →

Stroganoff is one dish that can be fixed in a hundred different ways. It can be composed of many ingredients, or just a few. This simple stroganoff recipe highlights the juicy texture of the mushrooms and seitan. It is light on sauce but still full on flavor. Continue reading →

Seitan on a stick anyone? Seitan, with its chewy texture, makes a perfect protein to add to shish kabobs. Pair it with a little broccoli, sweet pineapple, and some peanut butter sauce for a spicy, yet sweet combination. Continue reading →

Are you in the mood for an artistic dinner project? Won tons make a fun and edible tool for creating flavorful and beautiful appetizers. Continue reading →

When the weather turns cold and the nights are long, it is time to retreat to the dishes that bring warmth and good memories. Continue reading →

Many seasonal gardens are dying back for the year; however this shouldn’t limit your palate to dull dishes. Excite your taste buds with two colorful and flavorful plates. Continue reading →

Tired of snacking on potato chips? Need something to munch on during the day without adding a lot of Calories to your diet? This crunchy recipe is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
Continue reading →

August is a great time to start bringing in the harvest. Tomatoes and eggplants are now ripe for the picking all over the United States. What better way to enjoy this bounty than through a wonderful recipe that combines the … Continue reading →

Although most Americans associate the colors red, white, and blue with the month of July, summertime is a great time to go “green” from growing or buying produce from the local markets to saving some “green” by cooking at home. Continue reading →

Hungry for a bit of chicken picatta, but don’t want to “ruffle the feathers” by using poultry? Seitan is a vegan protein source made from wheat gluten. Seitan is more chewy and springy than other meat alternatives, making it a … Continue reading →

May is a great time to celebrate the growth of new, green shoots of life in gardens across the country. Spicy Mexican Salad by Brenda Davis, RD, and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD, is a wonderful, raw salad that features delicious sprouted lentils. Continue reading →

We are often told that we “eat with our eyes.” Some recipes are enticing just looking at them. Continue reading →

No matter if you plan to spend February 14th by yourself, with a loved one, or with several loved ones, everyone can agree that a great meal can add a lot of “love” to the festivities. Continue reading →

Winter is a time to take comfort in warm food. The weather outside might be frightful, but winter meals need not be. Three Vegetarian Nutrition members submitted recipes that are sure to become your favorite comfort food for cold weather! Continue reading →

December is a time of celebration for many people around the world. However, it is often hard to find a healthy dish to bring when you need it. Continue reading →

This past July we asked VN DPG members to send us their best cooking demonstration recipes. Entries poured in from across the country for everything from sweet Gluten Free Key Lime Pie to spicy Smokin Ground Tempeh. After much cooking … Continue reading →

When the weather starts to turn cool, it’s time to “turn up the heat.” This spicy twist on a traditional soup adds a kick to an otherwise sweet soup. Continue reading →

September is here and it is time for the harvest. If your garden included herbs — now is the time to reap the harvest before the frost comes. Herbs such as thyme and oregano, which are used for their leaves, … Continue reading →

August is the month for harvesting the fruits of labor from a busy spring and summer growing season. This crispy pocket recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a small “bounty” of vegetables. Continue reading →

Frozen fruit such as grapes, blueberries, and strawberries make a delicious and nutritious treat during the warm, summer months. They are an excellent replacement to sugary popsicles and the flavor is all natural! Preparation is the key to properly freezing … Continue reading →

Pineapple has been a symbol of welcome in many cultures for centuries. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. So fire up your grills and welcome spring with this tasty dessert. Please note temperature may vary depending … Continue reading →

Celebrate the end of winter by combining these winter and spring fruits and vegetables into a crunchy salad. Continue reading →

Rice is a staple for breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the world. This simple, easy to prepare dish is a flavorful way to get your day started and allows for many different variations. Continue reading →

Make this season’s baking even more flavorful by substituting some of the all-purpose flour in your recipes with other flours. This recipe calls for the use of buckwheat flour. Continue reading →

Pavlova is the national dessert of New Zealand. Serve with fruit, typically persimmons, kiwi fruit, and tamarillos, as well as heavy whipping cream. Continue reading →

Two tablespoons of this dressing provides your days’ supply of omega-3 fatty acids, along with 80 percent of your vitamin B12, and tastes great on baked potatoes, rice, steamed vegetables, and pasta, as well as salad. Continue reading →

Summer is the time to celebrate the bountiful harvests of the bush berry and tree fruit seasons. This combination is a refreshing drink that has a little zing to it because of the ginger. Continue reading →

Although many people are familiar with grilling vegetables, grilled fruit can also add a wonderful flavor to any summer supper. Continue reading →

This summer, triple your benefits by combining the fruits of this season.This triple berry recipe is a family favorite and is packed full of vitamin C, potassium, phytochemicals, and of course, flavor! Continue reading →

For those of us in northern climates, May marks the beginning of warmer weather, cookouts in the backyard, and, best of all, the summer salsa season. Although many think of this dish as a spicy showcase for tomatoes, other fruits and vegetables such as tomatillos, cucumbers, papaya, and peaches can also be used to make this delicious dish. Continue reading →

Although people don’t often associate the word “fungus” with gourmet cooking, mushrooms can make a wonderful, tasty, and healthy contribution to one’s daily diet. Continue reading →

Create a special, healthy treat fit for just two or the whole family with this spin on an old soda fountain favorite. Continue reading →

Tired of the same old winter soup? Looking for a healthier, sweet food this winter season? Try fruit soup. Continue reading →

This holiday season take a lesson from the squirrels and save some room for nuts in your diet. Continue reading →

Although most people only think about this starchy vegetable at holiday times when it finds its way into sweet side dishes or baked into pies, sweet potatoes make a wonderful addition to lunch or dinner throughout the year. Continue reading →

While strolling down the aisles of the farmer’s market lately I was surprised by the variety of eggplant that I could find. If you love eggplant dips, give this recipe a try. Continue reading →

Kohlrabi can be eaten cooked or raw. It comes in a variety of colors from light green to dark purple, although in both varieties the flesh is white beneath the skin. Continue reading →

Even though some corn products may be receiving a bad rap from the media, it is still important to promote corn in its lesser processed forms as a valuable, starchy vegetable. Continue reading →

Garlic has been used as a medicinal herb for many years and has received some attention in the past as a possible functional food for lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, although much research still needs to be done to prove this. Continue reading →

As fruit and vegetable intake recommendations have increased Americans need to look for new and innovative ways to add more fruits and vegetables to their daily diet. This recipe combines steamed asparagus and grapes to produce a very colorful and flavorful omelet. Continue reading →

March is a month to be proud of our profession and all the accomplishments we have achieved over the past years. Now is the time for us to shine, not only as dietitians, but as vegetarians and vegans. While planning … Continue reading →

For many people, New Year’s Eve marks the end of high-Calorie laden holiday season. While many Americans will reach for the nearest diet book, why not reach into your spice cupboard and refrigerator and learn to dress up your drinks without dressing up the Calories? Continue reading →

Looking for a way to bring more fruit to the table this winter? Consider dried fruit. Although some dried fruit looks different from the fruit from which it is derived, dried fruit is still rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Continue reading →

The holiday season is fast approaching and football season is in full swing. Looking for a new recipe to try this season? Tired of the same old bean dip? Try this recipe featuring Great Northern beans. Continue reading →

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Food safety affects all diets and is a crucial, though often overlooked part of a healthy diet. Although many potentially hazardous foods (PHF) are of animal origin, any food can be implicated in a food borne illness outbreak if mishandled. Continue reading →

Summer months are a time of abundant growth — blooming flowers, rows of corn, berries on the bush, and zucchini. Every time I buy a zucchini at the local farmer’s market I am either given one the size of a small boat or given enough to fill a small boat. Continue reading →

Nothing says summer like fresh fruits and vegetables. Take advantage of the season by feasting on local, fresh fruits and vegetables. Continue reading →

This little shoot may not look like much, but it is the beginning of something big for my family. This little shoot will bear a bountiful, summer harvest of juicy, ripe tomatoes right on my back stoop. Continue reading →

Looking for a fun and refreshing way to welcome spring into your menu? Why not try a sorbet! Sorbets are fun and easy to make. Continue reading →

Tired of boring, tasteless meals? Pining for fresh summer produce? You don’t need to wait until summer to punch up your early spring dishes. Try herbs! Continue reading →

While non-vegetarians feast on corned beef and cabbage this Saint Patrick’s Day, why not have your own celebration with this dish — Mock Meat and Potato Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. Continue reading →

Tired of going to restaurants? Looking for a less expensive and healthier way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Why not go Mediterranean?! Celebrate Valentine’s day by going back to its Greek and Roman roots. Continue reading →

Festive drinks need not be restricted to the holiday season. These three, easy-to-make beverages can turn any meal into a festive occasion! Continue reading →