Help please

[jtreeinpa]

This is my first post and I hate to be needy so soon, but I really need some ideas. I'm a home cook and am very carnivorious. A friend of the family just lost her husband and I want to make a covered dish for her, so she doesn't have to think about cooking. Most of the time I'd make shepard's pie, taco pie, etc... the problem is she's a vegatarian. Shamed to admit it but I don't know how veggie she is so I'd want to make something completely vegan. What would be an easily stored/reheatable vegatarian "comfort food" dish. Recipe's would be great, but what I really need is somebody to point me in the right direction.
Thanks,
Bryan

[kuan]

Sorry to hear about your loss, your friend's loss. Try a quiche, maybe a sweet potato casserole.

[Suzanne]

What a good neighbor you are!

How about a vegetarian chili -- beans, diced vegetables, and crumbled tofu* -- you can spice it mildly and offer a packet of extra spice in case she wants more.

*If you freeze tofu and then thaw it and press out the water, it gets a very meaty texture.

[jtreeinpa]

Thanks kuan, I'm just sitting here spinning. Sweet potato casserole is a good idea, I'd do the quiche, but I don't know if she eats eggs.

Suzanne, veggie chili, duh! (slapping my forehead for being dumb) I'm really not thinking well right now. I make meatless chili all of the time. Good tip on the tofu too. Thanks a bunch

Bryan

[dano1]

baked dish? how bout veggie lasagne, baked tofu, fried tofu and baked in a curry or marinara, baked ziti or rigatoni with veg and marinara...

[jtreeinpa]

Thanks dano some great ideas there, I was just thrown for a loop this morning when I heard the news. Couldn't think straight.
Bryan

[Dulcinea]

I make a lentil "soup" that is delicious and you can warm it up, no
problem, in fact the next day is even better, it´s so easy !
Lentils, chopped fine onions and carrots, a bay leaf, an depending
on the amount, a vegetable stock cube, if you want to thicken it
throw mash potatoe powder, or put in a couple potatoes and let
them cook through, at the end , add a tabblespoon of vinegar.
It´s delicious !Dulcie

[Pete]

Check out any of the numerous Indian cooking websites. They have many veggie dishes that would be appropriate.

[chrose]

Like Dulcinea said about soup. There are a million and 1 soup recipes that are veggie and very comforting. Corn Chowder, Potato Chowder, Vichysoisse, Minestrone, beer and cheddar just to name a few. Look on the net and voila! Of course there had to be a website try this for ideas http://soup.allrecipes.com/

[pgram]

Try what I call "Roasted Ratatioulle Risotto". Roast vegetables like zuchinni, egg plant, yellow squash, mushrooms, onions, and garlic in the oven with EVOO, salt and pepper until caramelized. (I cheat and buy canned fire roasted tomatoes from Trader Joe's to add to the mix.) Then fix the risotto according to directions but use the canned tomatoes with the juice and add the roasted vegetables before you ladel in the last bit of liquid to finish the risotto. If she does eat cheese, top with Parmesan. Truly a hearty dish considering there isn't any meat.

[SushiGaijin]

stew some white beans and winter root veg...easy, cheap, delicious.

Erik.

[panini]

Bryan,
Sorry to hear your news
I just wanted to add that we had lentil soup tonight, My wife put in fresh spinach. Was very conforting.
Take care,
Pan
PS don't go crazy, make it healthy and it's the thought that counts.

[DanBrown]

I can give you a recipe if you require it. Make thin sheets of polenta, layered with grilled vegetables and ricotta and fresh mozz, top with marinara and parmesean. Blam! (that's my new catchphrase, original, huh?)

[Mezzaluna]

Stuffed vegetables are good, too: cabbage rolls (lots of cabbage this time of year), stuffed zucchini, baked potatoes + toppings, etc.

You're a good neighbor!!!