Welcome!

Welcome to Romeo's Food Lady! This blog contains recipes for delicious vegetarian food. Most of these are not recipes authored by me. Rather, this is just a compilation of great veggie food I've found from all over the place, usually tweaked just a little. It's intended to be a reference FOR ME so I don't lose great food I've found nor the changes I've made to suit my tastes, but I'm happy for you to use it, too. After more than 25 years of being a vegetarian, I know what tastes good.
Romeo's Food Lady is named after my friend and cat, Romeo. Romeo is not a vegetarian, but his Food Lady is!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Peach Pie

Aaaaahhhhh, summer.  It's the only time of year I don't flat-out require my desserts to be chocolate (although I certainly don't turn down a delicious vegan chocolate sorbet).  For Independence Day this year, I made a peach pie, and it was completely gone two days later.  The recipe is from the seminal cookbook Joy of Cooking.



For the crust, use the same crust recipe previously posed with the cherry pie recipe (here), right up to the point where you put the 2 discs of dough into the fridge to rest for 20 - 30 minutes.  For the peach pie:

Ingredients:
3 lbs. peaches, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1/2 - 3/4 c. sugar (depending on how sweet the peaches are)
3 T. cornstarch
3 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 t. almond extract
1/8 t. salt
2 T. vegan margarine (I like Earth Balance brand.), cut into small pieces
2 T. sugar


Method:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Mix the peach slices, 1/2 - 3/4 c. sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract, and salt in a bowl.  Let the mixture stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, roll out one disc of pie dough to line a 9- or 10-inch pie plate.  Line the plate.  Pour the filling into the bottom crust, and dot the filling with the vegan margarine pieces.
Roll the other disc of pie dough into a circle large enough to cover the pie, and lay it over the filling.  Use your fingers to pinch the top and bottom crusts together.  Cut vents into the top crust, and sprinkle with the remaining 2 T. sugar.
Bake 55 - 65 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.  Cool completely on a rack.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Tomato-Ginger Couscous (or Quinoa) with Chickpeas

I was very happy to find this simple main dish, because I was in the mood for something new and different.  It easily pairs with the lemony cauliflower, previously posted.
The recipe is courtesy of Food Network Magazine, although I added the chickpeas and the gluten-free quinoa variation.  The chickpeas are optional and can be omitted for a side dish of "just" couscous or quinoa.



Ingredients:
2 tomatoes, cored
2 T. tomato paste
2 T. water
1 T. red wine vinegar
fresh ginger, 1-inch to 2-inch piece (I used a 1-inch piece, but the recipe called for a 2-inch piece.  That seemed kind of intense to me, but you can be the judge.), peeled
1 garlic clove, peeled
3/4 t. salt
1/4 t. ground turmeric
2 T. olive oil
1 c. water (or 2 c. water if using quinoa)
1 c. couscous or quinoa  (if using quinoa, first rinse it under cool water.)
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (optional)
Method:
In a blender, purée the tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 T. water, red wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, and turmeric.
In a skillet with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the purée and cook, stirring, until thickened to a paste (about 12 minutes).

If making COUSCOUS:  Add 1 c. water, and bring to a simmer.  Remove from heat, stir in couscous, cover, and let sit 10 minutes.

If making QUINOA:  Add 2 c. water, and bring to a simmer.  Add quinoa, and stir.  Cover and simmer until all liquid is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.

Fluff with a fork and toss with chickpeas, if using.  Season with additional salt, if desired, and serve warm.

Serves 3 - 5 as a main dish.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Lemony Cauliflower Sauté

This is a good side dish for Middle Eastern food OR for Italian food.  It's one I made up, so it's nice and simple.  The photo shows it with green bell pepper, because that's what I had tonight, but I think red looks prettier.



Ingredients:
1 T. olive oil
1 bell pepper, any color, deseeded and thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
salt and pepper, to taste
12-oz. bag frozen cauliflower
2 scallions, chopped
juice of one lemon
 
 
Method:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the sliced bell pepper, onion, and celery with salt and pepper, to taste.  Sauté 5 minutes, then add the frozen cauliflower and additional salt, to taste.  Sauté until the onions are translucent and the cauliflower is soft to bite and lightly browned.  Add the chopped scallions and sauté 1 - 2 minutes more, then add the lemon juice and toss to coat.  Serve warm.  Serves 2 -4 as a side dish.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Spicy Green Tomato Salad

Looking for something to do with those green garden tomatoes until they turn red?  Me, too!  Enter Food Network Magazine with this fantastic recipe.  It allowed me to use some green tomatoes and a garden jalepeno.  Tell me what you think!


Ingredients:
1.5 lbs. green (unripe - not the kind that are SUPPOSED to be green) tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
1.5 t. salt, separated
juice of 1 lime
1 t. dijon mustard
1 T. honey (local honey is best)
1 small jalepeno pepper, deseeded and minced
1 T. fresh thyme (or 1 t. dried thyme)
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
2 avocados
2 c. chopped lettuce leaves (or more, to taste)

Method:
Put the tomato wedges in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 t. salt.  Let set 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the lime juice, mustard, honey, jalepeno, thyme, 1/2 t. salt, and pepper, to taste, in a large bowl.  Gradually pour in the olive oil, whisking constantly until emulsified.

When ready to serve, half the avocados, remove the pits, peel, and thinly slice.  Add to the bowl with the dressing, then add the lettuce and tomatoes.  Gently toss to coat.  Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.

Serves 6 - 8.