Vegetarian

AYTEKIN YAR, the executive chef at Dardanel on the Upper East Side, eats mucver — delicate, crisp zucchini pancakes — at four in the afternoon, before he starts cooking for the dinner crowd. “I love it because it’s tasty, and it’s not heavy,” Mr. Yar said. His version of mucver (pronounced MOOSH-vair) has not just shredded zucchini, but also tiny clouds of feta and a sprinkling of minced fresh dill and scallions. They are crisp on the outside, tender within and subtly herbaceous. Mr. Yar was born in Turkey, and his grandmother and mother made the dish a bit differently there.

Pressing excess moisture out of your tofu will increase its firmness and its ability to absorb the flavors of the marinade. 

Purchased tabbouleh spooned onto whole romaine lettuce leaves is ideal with these Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches. Follow with baklava and fresh grapes. 

Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This dish is about as close to fusion, to “made-up,” as I will allow. It’s not traditional, it’s not regional. Though it has an Asian flavor, it’s not even that. What it is: a tasty, fast, cheap, infinitely variable broth-and-noodle combination. Its preparation is slowed down only by waiting for the water to boil.

Risotto is hardly effortless fare, what with all that stirring over a hot stove. But instant brown rice and creamy Neufchatel cheese can make a nutty, rich, stand-in version that's sure to be a family favorite. Substitute any vegetables you wish for the asparagus and bell pepper. Make it a Meal: Paired with a salad, this is a perfect vegetarian main course, or serve as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak.

Prep Time: 40 min

Huevos rancheros or “ranch eggs” is a classic Mexican dish that is great for a quick dinner. Traditionally, it’s made with a red tomato-based sauce. Here we use tart and tangy green salsa instead. Serve with: brown rice and slices of avocado.

Mino Giliberti usually makes this soup with water, but for a richer flavor, you can use chicken stock. Start a day ahead by soaking the lentils in 3 cups of water in the refrigerator. Before serving, spoon shaved Parmesan in the bottom of the bowls so the cheese disperses in the hot soup rather than sticking to the diner’s spoon.

This hearty combination of whole-wheat couscous and lentils perched atop a lightly dressed bed of arugula makes a tasty vegetarian main-course salad. The lemony vinaigrette is especially good for bringing out the spicy notes of the arugula.

Clover Food Lab, a truck at MIT, offers this soup made with its own homemade vegetable stock.