Simple Meal Ideas?

I just recently became vegetarian (not vegan, although one day down the line I'd like to become one) and I cannot think of too many easy meal ideas for myself. I am still living with my mom and she and everybody else are meat eaters so I have to come up with dinner for just myself about half the time.

I only have a $30 dollar food budget a week so it would be nice if the ideas were also cheap. :jester:

Ideas I already have:

salads
bean burritos
nachos
frozen dinners (is Amy's good?)
soups
Hormel Vegetarian Chili
hummus in a pita pocket

 

Stir fries with seitan or tofu (the meat-eaters in your family could prepare chicken or something seperately and add it to theirs later) are quick & easy. Indian dahl with tempeh is really good and easy to prepare a big batch of and then save for later. I eat a lot of homemade veggie mini-pizzas (made on pita bread or naan) with basil, spinach, pine nuts, marinara, zucchini, peppers, onions, etc etc...

A good veg cookbook (like "The American Vegetarian" by Marilyn Diamond or "How it All Vegan" or "La Dolce Vegan" by Sarah Kramer or "The New Vegan" - forgot the author) should have an introduction with a section on how to stock a vegetarian pantry. Then it's all a matter of experimentation.

Keep in mind buying things like rice, lentils, and dried beans in bulk is a great way to save time, then you just need to learn how to prepare & cook them.

 

Once you have a good supply of items like rice and pastas and frozen veggies $30 should be more than enough to get one person through a week. Seriously, 3/4 of my freezer is filled with frozen veggies that I stocked up on when they were on sale. I guess I am in a bit of a rut with the recipes myself right now so I've got nothing there for you.