Vegetarian

Cooking beans at home is renowned as a simple way to save money and provide the base for many a healthy meal. It requires little effort and they're easy to keep on hand in the fridge or freezer. And then you can quickly put together everything from basic beans and rice (seasoned differently in different cultures) to soups, salads, dips and spreads.

We reduced fat by coating the eggplant with egg whites instead of whole eggs and baking, rather than frying, the slices for a lighter version of this classic.

Austin, Texas, firefighter Rip Esselstyn and his wife chose this hearty lasagna as their wedding entree. Because sweet potatoes are prominent in "The Engine 2 Diet," Esselstyn usually cooks a few to keep on hand. If you're starting this from scratch, begin by baking two sweet potatoes and start layering the lasagna once they're done.

Sicilian caponata is similar to southern French ratatouille; both are stews of eggplant and other vegetables. And like ratatouille, caponata is served as a side dish with roast meat or grilled fish. To my taste, caponata is best on its own, served as a first course, or as an entree for lunch, with some lightly dressed greens on the side. Serve caponata at room temperature with roast meats, grilled fish, or with a green salad.

A popular tapa served in bars and cafes across Spain, tortilla is a versatile treat that is served warm or at room temperature, for lunch or with drinks.

The broccoli retains its lovely green color when stir-fried, so this dish is not only easy to make but pretty to serve. The almonds add a nutty crunch that everyone really likes. 

"I used to LOVE going to Boston Market for their beans but they were loaded with butter and fat. You really don't need a lot of olive oil in this recipe so it's much healthier and good for the waste line. I also love the texture of the beans- very fresh."

Versatile baked tofu recipe to use in endless vegetarian ways.

What To Do With Your Baked Tofu

* Serve with pasta and steamed veggies, with a little tomato sauce and parmesan cheese

* Serve with rice or quinoa and steamed veggies

* Add to a salad for a meal in a bowl

* Combine with sauteed veggies and salsa in a wrap

* Add to a veggie casserole or stew

* Serve on a bun with fixin's and fries

* Store in a covered container for sandwiches

Vegan Tofu Rice Salad, with veggies, fresh herbs, and baked tofu, serve warm or chilled This vegan tofu salad recipe can easily be doubled, and makes a satisfying vegetarian meal served with crusty french bread, steamed greens or green salad, and baked acorn or butternut squash. You'll need some time for soaking the brown rice, and marinating the tofu - that can happen overnight, or while you're gone for the day. After that, it comes together pretty easily.