Vegetarian dishes from around the World

Vegetarian Dishes from World

Are you a vegetarian and have been invited to a restaurant when you are not familiar with their cuisine and you are so embarrassed you don't know what to order so you almost back out. Trust me, I'm that person. I'm a vegetarian and my palate is not very adventurous. But I have familiarized myself with a couple of dishes so I'm not ordering a garden salad every time. I'm here to share what I know, what to order and what it means.


MEXICO

Enchiladas is one of the favorite Mexican foods in America. In their original form as Mexican street food, enchiladas were simply corn tortillas dipped in chilli sauce and can be eaten with or without fillings. Mexican is no more an ethnic dinner out, its mainstream Americana.

Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

In this popular vegetarian version, I present Enchilada is filled with bell peppers, pinto beans, mushrooms and onions, these colorful enchiladas can be mostly made ahead--perfect for entertaining. Pass some crumbled Queso fresco, chopped fresh cilantro and diced avocado at the table.

For this recipe go to http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/roasted_vegetable_enchiladas.html

FRENCH

French confectionaries like Macaroons and Truffles are creme la creme in American bakery industry. From Croissant, Scones to French bread it is everyone's fashionable breakfast choice. Deserts like Souffles and Crème Brulee are elite choices of the most demanding connoisseurs.

Spinach Quiche

Quiche is basically a pie filled with egg custard, and sometimes vegetables. I'm personally not a fan of French food but this vegetarian option is available at restaurants.

Find this quick low calorie, healthy recipe http://www.food.com/recipe/vegetarian-spinach-quiche-387228

ITALIAN

Pasta and Pizza is as American as apple pie. Italian cuisine is not considered ethnic food in America or anywhere in the world. Italians are all about food and pasta, pizza is their greatest contribution to the world, IMO. Everyone loves Italian food as its the Soul food as mac and cheese. From the various shapes and sizes of the pasta to the variety of sauces, Pasta is truly my first love.

Spaghetti Pomodoro

Spaghetti Pomodoro is thick long noodle boiled to tenderness and soaked in tasty flavored tomato sauce. Vegetables can be added to the dish and served with Parmesan cheese drizzled on top.

Try this amazing recipe from http://www.marthastewart.com/349802/spaghetti-pomodoro

CHINESE

Chinese food in America is the "late night hunger calls rescue" food. Chinese takeout culture is mainstream and the take out kitchens in every corner of almost every street proves it. Wonton soup, Low Mein with choice of meat or seafood, stir fry, fried rice are just a few of the favorites at your local Chinese take outs. Lets not ignore the power of the fortune cookie!

Vegetable Stir Fry

Stir fry is on every Chinese quintessential take out menu. Its usually cooked with beef, shrimp or vegetables. Served with Rice or Low Mein.

Here is a recipe for you http://chinese.food.com/recipe/chinese-vegetable-stir-fry-95571

MIDDLE EAST

Middle eastern food as its commonly known as is gaining popularity in America. Middle eastern restaurants are creeping all over the metro cities around the world. Move over Hamburger, Falafel is taking your place.

Some commonly used ingredients in this cuisine include olives and olive oil, pitas , honey, sesame seeds, dates, chickpeas, mint and parsley. Yogurt is huge The taste is generally mild and healthy.

Baba Ganoush is an Arabic dish of Eggplant mashed and mixed with virgin olive oil and various seasonings and spices. Baba Ganoush is Arabic term which means "Father of Coquetry"

This popular dish is prepared by baking or broiling the eggplant over an open flame before peeling, so that the pulp is soft and has a smoky taste. This is often eaten as a dip with bread Naan or Pita, and is also sometimes added to other dishes. It is usually of an earthy light-brown color. It is popular in most of middle eastern territories like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Israel.

Find a easy recipe for Baba Ganoush here http://www.food.com/recipe/baba-ganoush-the-best-in-the-world-67570

INDIAN

Bollywood, Indian fabrics and Indian food is known all over the world. Tandoori chicken (Marinated chicken grilled on open flame) and Chicken Tikka Masala (Tender chicken cooked in creamy spicy sauce) has given Indian food a big spot of the map. Since Indian cuisine is mostly vegetables and lentils it is widely popular among vegans, vegetarians and health conscious people. Now you can find an Indian restaurant almost in any corner of the world. Indian food has arrived and here to stay.

Dal Tadka

Since the focus of this article is vegetarian, a popular vegetarian dish is "Dal" Its yellow lentils or split pea lentil are very quick to cook. It is staple in India where it is eaten either with Roti (whole wheat bread) Naan bread or Rice.

Find the recipe on this blog http://www.livingforsoul.com/Dal.php

THAI

Immigration has played a very important role in bringing amazing food from different parts of the world to America. When people came they brought with them their culture, tradition and oh ya, their amazing food. Americans have really taken to Thai food as comfort food as its popularity is because of its mild spice which Americans are used to.

Thai cuisine is very light in calories but not light on aroma and spice. As with other Asian cuisines, Thai food has a nice balance of sweet, sour, salt and bitter. As most eastern region believes food has to awaken the senses, they deliver just that. Satay, Pad Thai, Panang curry and Sticky Rice are some of their favorite dishes.

Pad Thai

Noodles is the base for most dishes of Thailand. Particularly "Pad Thai" which is Egg noodles with vegetables and mildly spiced peanut sauce.

Try this skinny version of Pad Thai here http://www.redbookmag.com/recipefinder/vegetable-pad-thai-recipeHYPERLINK l "cite_note-1"

AMERICAN

What is American food? Really. Every American restaurant menu is filled with a couple of Italian a couple of French, Chinese and they throw in a salads, soups and some junk food like fries and onion rings. So I'm still confused what classifies as "American Food" I guess since America is a melting pot, all the cultures melted so well that foods from all these countries modified their taste to please the american palate and now became American.

So to file under American food I will present to you PB&J. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich or PB&J is a sandwich, that includes a layer of peanut butter and either jelly or jam on bread, commonly between two slices, but sometimes eaten open-faced or with one slice folded over.

Jyothi is a long time New City resident, more can be found on her blog at http://livingforsoul.com