I found these beefless tips at Giant (which usually has a pretty good vegetarian/vegan selection, in case you're looking!) and decided to give them a try. They're made of non-mechanically engineered soy, which is what's all over the news these days as being unhealthy for you. My meat-loving husband took the package out of the grocery bag and eagerly exclaimed, "Wow! These look good!!" and then, "Oh...nevermind" in the same breath.
Nevertheless, in a never-ending effort to try to get my family to eat healthier, I made them. First, I marinated them in a mix of oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper for about half an hour. They could have used more garlic. They would also have been yummy marinated in barbeque sauce, which is what I put on the leftovers I had the next day for lunch. I may try that next time.
All you have to do to cook these is just put a little oil in the pan (I used my yellow Lock & Lock pan) and heat them on both sides for about 3 minutes each. Be sure to stir this frequently or it will stick to the pan...no comment...
Nevertheless, in a never-ending effort to try to get my family to eat healthier, I made them. First, I marinated them in a mix of oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper for about half an hour. They could have used more garlic. They would also have been yummy marinated in barbeque sauce, which is what I put on the leftovers I had the next day for lunch. I may try that next time.
All you have to do to cook these is just put a little oil in the pan (I used my yellow Lock & Lock pan) and heat them on both sides for about 3 minutes each. Be sure to stir this frequently or it will stick to the pan...no comment...
I served these over rice, and it was delicious! Even my toughest critic (Matt, not Caleb) said that it was "decent" and that he might eat it again. This is high praise coming from my meat-a-tarian. Caleb wouldn't touch it when I told him it was beef or steak. As soon as I said it was like bread, he popped it in his mouth and declared that it was good. Kids!!
With the beefless tips, I made my go-to grilled veggies. In the summer, I like to do a mix of peppers, onions, and squash. Caleb won't eat any of this but the occasional squash, but I gobble it up! (Our rule is that everyone has to eat at least one vegetable at dinner each night. I usually offer multiple, since that's what I eat anyway, so it's not too big of an issue. We don't count starches like potatoes and rice as vegetables.)
The new frying pan that I got in my most recent Lock and Lock Supporter shipment was really great! It's heavier than my other yellow pan, but it cleans just as nicely and the dark interior hides the burn stains that somehow seem to get on all of my pans...maybe from not stirring frequently enough?! Anyway, a heavier frying pan is good for hitting intruders over the head. :)
I really like this side dish I got in my very first L&L Supporter shipment. I use it pretty much every time I grill veggies, because it's the perfect size. It's nice for rice too.
Along with the veggies, I boiled these cute little mini potatoes I found at Trader Joes. While they were boiling, I mixed a sauce of melted butter, parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic. When the potatoes were done, I poured the sauce on them. YUMMY!!! They were soooo good, and tasted just as good the next day. :) Matt, on the other hand, was "creeped out" by how little the potatoes were. He thought there might be something wrong with them. He did like the sauce though.
There you have it...a yummy, mostly healthy**, and quick vegetarian dinner that your family just might eat!!
**I'm not exactly sure how healthy the potatoes are, considering how much butter and cheese I put into the sauce... :)
Comments