3 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes With Simple Ingredients and Easy Cooking Directions

Nowadays there are many vegetarian recipes that are delicious to eat and easy to prepare. You may be surprised at what you can find when you take the time to look for vegetarian recipes that are easy to fix. Inside a busy society such as the one we are living in, easy-to-make recipes are almost essential for the weekday vegetarian cook.

Below are a couple of recipes that can get you started:

(i) Pesto with Arugula

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
* 1 1/2 cups baby arugula leaves
* 2/3 cup pine nuts
* 1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained
* 8 cloves garlic
* 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
* 1/2 lime, juiced
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the arugula, basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olives in a food processor, and chop to a coarse paste.

2. Mix in olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Process until well blended and smooth.

(ii) California Grilled Veggie Sandwich

INGREDIENTS:

* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 cup sliced red bell peppers
* 1/8 cup olive oil
* 1 small zucchini, sliced
* 1 small yellow squash, sliced
* 1 red onion, sliced
* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
* 2 (4-x6-inch) focaccia bread pieces, split horizontally

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.

2. Pre-heat the grill for high heat.

3. Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them. Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.

4. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with feta cheese. Place on the grill cheese side up, and cover with lid for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the bread, and slightly melt the cheese. Watch carefully so the bottoms don't burn. Remove from grill, and layer with the vegetables. Enjoy as open faced grilled sandwiches.

(iii) Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

INGREDIENTS:

* 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
* 2 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
* 1/4 cup salsa
* 2 tablespoons butter, divided
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
* 8 (8 inch) flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.

2. Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle evenly with cheese, then top with some of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top, cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.


The above are just a few recipes to get you started, but take a good look around at various resources, and you will find many, many easy vegetarian recipes that are delicious and quick to make.