Going vegetarian for Lent...

[Dob Bole]

For the next 40 days, I am among you!

Any suggestions, as far as nutrition, tasty things to eat, etc.? And what is tofu, and how do I use it?

[legally blonde]

1. I love Boca burgers

They're quite tasty and I think that they taste very similar to meat (although the texture is different). Tofu is a soy product (although I'm not sure what it's made of or how it's made). Tofu takes up the flavor of anything you cook with it--I love tofu with Chinese and other Asian dishes. I've never been able to cook it correctly, though.

[CrispyQ]

2. Great!!! Keep an open mind -- you can do it!!

My favorite tofu anecdote:

A man sees a woman placing a block of tofu in her shopping cart at the grocers. He approaches her & asks her what she does with the tofu. She replies, "I put it in my fridge, take it out every few days, change the water & after a few weeks I throw it away." He nods his head & says, "That's the same recipe my wife has. I was hoping you had a better one!"

Here is a link to some terrific veg recipes, including tofu.

http://vegweb.com/recipes/

and links to some of my fave recipes at that site:

http://vegweb.com/recipes/subs/809.shtml Sloppy Steve's -- definitely follow Bruce's advice & replace the ketchup with tomato sauce. This stuff rocks!

http://vegweb.com/recipes/subs/3570.shtml Meatball Stroganoff - great stuff! I use "Nate's Meatless Meatballs" that you can find in the frozen food section of a Health Food Store or even some more progressive grocery stores. The Gimme Lean stuff they recommend is in the refrigerator section usually by the tofu & is in a tube.

Got questions? I'm happy to help!

[LeftyMom]

3. a good tofu recipe

definitely eliminate the water from this recipe, like the comments say. I substitute cayenne for the paprika and powdered chinese hot mustard for the regular mustard but I really like my food spicy.

[LisaLynne]

4. Here's my suggestion for Tofu.

Now, granted, I could eat the stuff cold, out of the package, which makes even the most veggie among us gasp. But, I find a good Beef Strogonoff recipe. Instead of beef, I use extra firm tofu, cut into strips. I add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce to the sauce. It is simple and very tasty!

Also, Garden Burger makes really good BBQ "ribs". Yummy!!!

[Paul Hood]

6. Watch out for the Worcestershire sauce

most contain anchovies.

[LisaLynne]

7. Yeah, that's right.

The kind I get isn't actually REAL Worcestershire sauce, technically, just for that reason. Thanks for mentioning it for those who might not realize it. :)

[CrispyQ]

5. Oh and I forgot . . .

White Wave makes terrific Baked Tofu. You'll find it in the refrigerator section by the other tofu. It is wrapped in plastic with the big White Wave logo on front. We really like the Italian & Roma flavors.

It's texture is more firm, not soft, so a newbie to tofu may find it more palatable. I love it right out of the fridge. It's good in mock-chicken salads, soups, pretty much any recipe you would use tofu in.