Notes:
Vegetables and spices combine to make an amazing casserole from AllRecipes. Cut oil to significantly reduce the amount of fat, if desired. The original recipe makes 36 servings, so the cooking times given below are approximate! Recommended served on warm toasted pita bread.

• Calories: 185
• Total Fat: 5.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 86mg
• Total Carbs: 32.9g
• Dietary Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 5.2g

Servings: 9

Ingredients:
* 2 large eggplants
* 2 large potatoes
* 2 green bell peppers
* 2 large onions
* 2 summer squash
* 1-1/2 tomatoes
* 1/4 pound fresh green beans
* 1/4 pound whole fresh mushrooms
* 1/2 bulb garlic, cloves separated and peeled
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill weed
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
* 1/4 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Cut the eggplants into 2 inch chunks and soak in lightly salted water for 2-3 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
3. Cut the potatoes, green bell peppers, onion, squash and tomatoes into 2-inch chunks. Cut the green beans and mushrooms in half and peel the garlic cloves.
4. Drain and rinse the eggplant, then combine it with the other chopped vegetables, the dill, oregano and basil and place all into a small roasting pan. Pour the tomato sauce and olive oil over all.
5. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours, adding a little water halfway through cooking time to steam and moisten vegetables.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
Flavorful ingredients make couscous even better. Tastes (and looks) especially nice if topped with a sprig of fresh mint. You can cut the fat by limiting the olive oil, but it’s pretty low fat to start with. AllRecipes does it again.

• Calories: 178
• Total Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 400mg
• Total Carbs: 36.1g
•  Dietary Fiber: 5.7g
• Protein: 7.5g

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
* 1 cup dehydrated or jarred sun-dried tomatoes
* 1 1/2 cups water
* 3/4 cup uncooked couscous
* 1 teaspoon olive oil
* 3 cloves garlic, pressed
* 1 bunch green onions, chopped
* 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
* 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
* 1/2 lemon, juiced
* salt and pepper to taste
* 4 ounces portobello or shitake mushroom caps, sliced

Directions:
1. Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl with 1 cup water and soak 30 minutes. If dehydrated, this will allow them to rehydrate. If jarred, this will simply allow the water to become more flavorful. Drain, reserving water, and chop.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the reserved sun-dried tomato water with another 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous. Cover, remove from heat, and allow to sit 5 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed. Gently fluff with a fork.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and green onions. Cook and stir about 5 minutes, until the green onions are tender.
4. Mix the basil, cilantro, and lemon juice into the tomato mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Mix in the mushrooms, and continue cooking 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Toss with the cooked couscous to serve.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
A delicious vegan Chinese stirfry from AllRecipes. You can cut the fat a bit more by reducing the amount of sesame oil. Sliced bamboo shoots are a great addition.

• Calories: 160
• Total Fat: 8.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 58mg
• Total Carbs: 14.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9.9g

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
* 1 (14 ounce) package firm tofu
* 3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
* 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained
* 3 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
* 1 1/2 cups snow peas, trimmed
* 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce or mushroom-based oyster-flavored sauce
* 1 cup water

Directions:
1. Slice tofu lengthwise into 3 pieces. Wrap each slab in paper towels, and press to squeeze out excess water.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large skillet (use less if desired, but make sure you use enough that the tofu doesn't stick). Fry tofu for about 5 minutes on each side, or until delicately browned.
3. Remove tofu from skillet and slice into cubes.
4. Add the remaining teaspoon sesame oil to the skillet, and stir fry the water chestnuts, mushrooms and snow peas.
5. Mix together water and oyster sauce (or mushroom-based oyster-flavored sauce), and add to the skillet along with the tofu. 6. Cover and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
Black beans are one of my favorite foods, and in this flavorful alternative to beans and rice, corn and quinoa (a nutty South American grain) lend the beans a delicious flavor. The quinoa is similar to couscous and lighter than traditional rice, but it is also higher in protein and lower in carbs. I found this recipe at one of my favorite sites, AllRecipes.

• Calories: 152
• Total Fat: 1.7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 513mg
• Total Carbs: 27.5g
• Dietary Fiber: 7.7g
• Protein: 7.7g

Servings: 10

Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
* 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
* 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 cup frozen corn kernels
* 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until lightly browned.
2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.

Submitted by:
Sarah