help!preg veg unmotivated & tired, need ideas..

i need some idea's please. im pregnant, tired, and a vegetarian....i am getting very hungry but just cannot think of something yummy that i want to eat, and i certainly can't be bothered making it!:redface: :( im sick of all the stuff i usually eat.

what can i make thats quick, easy, vego and relatively healthy?
I need ideas for lunches, snacks and dinners. (im a toast for brekkie.)

please give me some ideas - i really do enjoying cooking and eating but i think i need some encouragement, suggestions and motivation.
would you believe yesterday i actually cooked all day for my MIL (who just got out of hospital) but must have burnt all that energy out, LOL. i did make some things for us to share, namely the banana choc biscuits, LOL. the rest was meat stuff:p

please help me! i have bought a few frozen meals (not many veg ones about) and i had coles onion rings for tea last night. usually the fried/oven stuff was abit gross but that went down alright for once...
i cant carry on like this! im so tempted right now to open up a box of shapes coz i am hungry ... but theres nothing if 'want' enough to make it myself...i feel very lazy and pathetic:(and hungry!

I'm not a veg. but this is one of my most favourite vegetarian meals.

BBQ-ed eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms (with olive oil and cumin) accompanied with 5 minute cous-cous.

I guess it takes a bit of time...but it's pretty yummy!

thanks monnie!:D
how do you prepare eggplant? i've never cooked with it.:redface: :lol:

Hey Joh

I just cut in into slices (about 1.5-2cm thick)...and then rub it with olive oil and salt...and then whack it on the bbq...

You cook it for about 10 minutes, I guess...until it's sort of soft and I like it when it's smokey and chargrilled...

I know people say you need to soak/salt it for a while to get out the bitterness, but I've found the method above just fine...

Mmmmm...getting the taste for it now...might even have it for dinner tonight!!!

okay thanks. i always wondered about that. and all the little seed looking things in them are ok to eat right?:)

In summer I like a slightly warm pasta salad. Cook as much pasta as you need (I like using spirals), drain, then run cold water over it to cool it a little. Stir through a salsa (listed below) and serve. For the salsa I chop tomato, cucumber and avocado into small cubes and mix it with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and basil (or whatever herbs you have on hand).

oh cool - yum! thanks:)
how do you make the creamy pasta salads, is that just mayo??

Yep...the seeds are fine...that basically become really soft so you don't even notice eating them

Another recipe by Alison Holst is for Better Chickpeas.

Heat oil in a pan and cook a diced onion and some garlic.
Add 1t garam marsala, 1t curry powder, 1/2 t cumin (or some other nice combination of spices!) Cook for a minute.
Add a can of drained chickpeas, cubed potatoes and chopped carrot (or whatever veges you like).
Add a can of tomatoes and a little water, or a can of tomato soup, or a cup-of-soup (made with 1 C water).

Cook for about 1/2 hour, or until the potatoes are soft and the sauce has thickened.

Serve with rice.

I can't say I've eaten a creamy pasta salad, but I'd say mayo would make it taste really nice!

thanks heaps guys.
i've got some leftover rice, i will make the chickpea one tonight:D
(dont have garam masala though - isnt that the expensive one?:P)
bet it tastes alot nice than the frozen one i have!

Garam Masala isn't too expensive - it's a mix of coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and black pepper....

I forgot to say that you should add a bit of salt and pepper to the chickpeas too.

ah ok. im confused with another indian spice! maybe saffron..
so i could make my own blend then LOL.

Yeah, saffron's the really expensive one. I found garam masala at the supermarket next to all the other spices, but yes, you can certainly blend your own.

When I am feeling lazy and hungry I just stick a few potatoes in the microwave. Stab them all over first with a fork (stops them bursting), spread out onto a plate (or into a microwave bowl with lid), cover (if you have a plate cover to save having to clean any spatter from the microwave), and nuke on high for about 5 minutes. I did 4 fairly small spuds last night for a snack (I could hold the 4 on the palm of my hand), and they only took 5 mins. Bigger spuds, more time (or cut in half). When done (test with a fork), slice in half, butter, sprinkle with seasoning (salt & pepper, or one of those savoury seasonings from McCormick or similar), and thin slices of tasty cheese, or whatever topping you may have, but they are my favourite lazy toppings.

I am feeling the same at the morning, starving, nauseous, but really unmotivated to cook anything.

One of my favourite quick meals is cook a potato in the micorwave for about 4 mins, take it out of the microvawe, cut it up and cover with a tin of baked beans and sprinkle with cheese, cook for another minute and presto, you have got the best lazy preggo meal that I can think of.

Luv Spring

i've just make zucchini slice yummo!! i pretty much just make up my own ingrediants and quantities but heres a basic rundown
2 cups of grated zuchini
2 grated carrots
1/2 chopped onion
tomatoes either cherry one cut in half or slices placed on top
mushrooms
grated cheese
1/2 cup of s/r flour
2 eggs
parsley
mix all together place in greased dish and cook for approx 35 mins
i also added ham

AJP

Your Zucchini slice sounds yummo.. How much grated cheese do you use?

Spring

mmmmm probably around 1/2 cup, i just grate and chuck in!! i put some parmasen on top this time as well.. i just add what ever i have floating around

Joh, you can apply the same principle as the zucchini slice to any vegetable that you possess. I chuck in things like cold cooked pumpkin and potatoes (leftovers), sweetcorn and peas (out of the freezer - doesn't involve standing there chopping), frozen spinach, cubed feta cheese (ok because it's been cooked) and even sometimes walnuts or pinenuts. If there's no grated zucchini, I just leave out the flour, add and extra egg or two, and call it a fritatta. Hahaha

Zucchini or potato omelette is another quick but yummy one.

The thing I really thought of for you was the Mccormacks soup bases. You get them at the shops in the soup aisle, close to the lentils and split peas etc. They are the soup mix (lentils and barley, etc) in a little packet with the powdered flavouring, all you have to do is add the water, and throw in whatever veggies you have to hand. They have a country veggie one and a minestrone one and they are both yummy & quick. You could add an extra can of lentils or chickpeas or some grated cheese for serving if you want a protein boost!

hiya,

I am a preg vego too and atm I cant motivate myself to cook, not to mention I just dont know what I want to eat atm and it is driving me mad LOL,

To make the creamy pasta salad you use thousand island dressing and that makes it so yummy I usually add some fresh parlsey and some very finely diced onion it is really nice.

I also like those Leggos pasta sauces in the small jar I love the chargrilled vegetables one its so yummy and very easy as you dont need to add anything at all.

another thing I make is a simple stir fry I use aprox 2 cups of frozen veg ( the mixed ones with the broccoli, cauliflour and carrot ) I heat up the fry pan and add some olive oil only a small amount some sliced onion and cook that for a few minutes then I add the frozen vegies and cook them for about 5 or so minutes just untill they start to soften while they are cooking I add some soy sauce, sweet chilli sacue, sesame oil (just a small amount of that as its very over powering), then while they are cooking I boil some water and put some of those asian noodle cakes things in ( the fantastic noodles ones but they are dried not fresh I cant think of what they are called ) they take about 5 min to cook then I chuck it all in the pan together and fry for a few more min, so there you have it a meal and its fairly healthy ready to eat with in 10 minutes, no chopping or peeling etc to do so so easy and really yummy too, I also heat up some of those frozen veg spring rolls mmmmmm making me hungry LOL.

I make the zuchini slice too I think the only thing I do differently is instead of flour I add that vidal pastry mix it just seems to add more flavour, but is probably more fattening I would think so I dont make it often, I also make them into muffins instead of a slice that way they can be put in the frige and microwaved at anytime for a meal or snack.

ummmm what else can I think of!!! hmm might have to go away and have a think.

I have found it really hard to make things I like as I just dont really want anything but am starving hungry.

I hope you find something to eat soon LOL I so know what you are going through hehehhe

AJP

I just made your zucchini slice and yummo. It was delish, thanks for the recipe.

Luv Spring

glad you liked it spring, i made it last night and had left overs for lunch today yuummmy!

hey preggie vegos (and none vegos). i am lucky enough not to be working much at the moment and am motivated to cook lots! (which is good because, like you, i'm eating lots!). it does get a bit boring though, doesn't it? "my god, am i hungry again?? what the hell am i going to eat this time?.

some of my favourite recipes:
not sure if someone posted something similar but pop a potato in the microwave to soften then cut a cross in the top to split open a bit, then top with baked beans and cheese and put in oven until cheese melted and potato crispy. top with some mashed avocado and chopped spring onion and you have one filling, tasty meal. if you can be bothered, i make my own 'baked beans' which are much yummier than the canned type. bit of minced garlic and chopped onion softened in a saucepan, then add tin of red kidney beans (or navy beans), some finely chopped red capsicum. a tablespoon of sugar and a tin of tomatoes. simmer down for a while til thick. add some salt and pepper, herbs, chilli or whatever takes your fancy. eat on potato or with rice or with some corn chips. makes good tacos/burritos too- instead of mince.

mashed potato topped with steamed vegetables. use frozen chopped vegies to save time. steam them til just soft and place on top of mashed potato. top with a 'dressing' of a bit of balsamic vinegar (about a tablespoon), honey (about 2 tablespoons) and some sesame seeds. for extra goodness you can mash some butter beans in with the potato.

pumpkin pasta bake- steam pumpkin (about 500g) and mash/puree with a can of pumpkin soup. stir through cooked pasta with some chopped vegies (brocolli and zucchini are nice), put in a baking dish, top with cheese and bake til golden on top.

that's probably enough for now but i have heaps more if you want them?

good luck! love minnie.

thanks for all the great ideas!!:D

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hey preggie vegos (and none vegos). i am lucky enough not to be working much at the moment and am motivated to cook lots! (which is good because, like you, i'm eating lots!). it does get a bit boring though, doesn't it? "my god, am i hungry again?? what the hell am i going to eat this time?.
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yes! exactly. also i just dont have much energy atm.

i made the curry chickpeas, im not a huge curry fan but it was nicer than the frozen ones as it had more vegies and now i've got 2 serves in the freezer!

i think i'll make zuchinni slice today, or perhaps savoury muffins.
mmm the pumpkin pasta sounds nice, will have to go get some pumpkin.
i love those frozen spring rolls. i eat them alot so sometimes i get sick of them *blush*
i havent had vegie fingers for a while speaking of frozen stuff - they are nice.
i used to be able to get frozen vegetable dim sims, i LOVED them - but they dont stock them anywhere anymore:( anyone know how to make them??:pray:
im also gonna buy some eggplant and make veg kebabs on the BBQ or frypan, ive got some tempeh to marinate aswell.
and i think im gonna make fried rice again soon.
keep the ideas coming, this is great!
ooh i can make beg canneloni aswell. i'll paste the 2 recipes below incase others want to make it.....

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LEEK AND MUSHROOM CANNELLONI

1 large leek
1 medium onion
olive oil for frying
125 (4 oz) mushrooms, very finely chopped (I like swiss brown or portabella)
125-175g (4-6oz) well favoured cheese, grated

1 small onion, very finely chopped
400g can tomatoes
1 vegetable stock cube
300 ml (1/2 pint) hot water
a dash of vegetarian worchestire sauce
15 instant no need to precook cannelloni tubes

PREHEAT OVEN TO 190 degrees C, or according to cannelloni packet instructions.
Use a food processor to chop leek and medium onion very finely. Heat some olive oil in a pan and fry them until softened. Add the mushrooms and cheese, and cook, stirring until the vegetables are golden. Once the cheese has melted into the mixture, remove from heat and leave to cool.
Meanwhile, in a separate fry pan, fry the small onion in a little oil ,until brown. Stir in tomatoes. Mix stock cube with hot water and add to onion and tomatoes with the worchestire sauce. Cook the mixture until reduced by half. Fill the cannelloni with the leek and cheese mixture and place them in a greaseproof ovendish. Pour over the tomato sauce and bake for 25-30 mins.



BEAN CANNELLONI

1 tablespoon oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium red capsicum, finely chopped
1 medium green capsicum, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
1 tablespoon fresh chooped basil
1 x 440g can 4-bean mix, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 instant cannelloni shells
1 x 425g chunky pasta sauce (or you could make sauce from recipe above;))

Heat oil in a pan, add garlic and onion; cook, stirring, until onion is soft. Add capsicums stir for 3 minutes. Stir in herbs.

Blend or process half the bean mix until smooth. Combine with remaining bean mix, onion mixture and tomato paste.

Spoon mixture into cannelloni shells.

Spoon a quarter of the pasta sauce over base of a heatproof dish (8-cup capacity). Top with filled cannelloni; spoon remaining sauce over top.

Cook in a moderate oven, 180 degree C, for about 25 minutes, or until heated through.

SAVOURY MUFFINS
2 cups SR flour
1/2 cup finely chopped ham
1/2 cup coarsley grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1 small red capsicum, chopped finely
1 tablespooon finely chopped fresh parsley
125g butter, melted
1 cup (250ml) milk
1 egg, lightly beaten

grease three 12 hole small (2 tablespoon/40 ml capacity) muffin pans.
combine flour, ham, cheese, mushrooms, capsicum and parsley in a large bowl. stir in butter, milk and egg; do not overmix. Divide mixture among pan holes. bake in moderately hot oven 15 minutes; turn onto wire rack to cool.

MAKES 30.

storage - covered, in refrigerator.
freeze - suitable.

from womans weekly babies and toddlers good food cookbook

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had another idea. if you do get in the mood for cooking, make lots and freeze it so you've got stuff on hand you just have to re heat. tell partner, friends whoever not to eat all the food you've made in the first two days (i have this problem...) as you've specifically made it so you can snack healthily whenever you want to!!

try some lentil sausage rolls or little vegie pasties. lentil sausage rolls- simmer some red lentils until they're mushy, add some veggie gravy or make your own by adding some brown sugar, worstershire sauce, soy sauce, cracked pepper and herbs. add some breadcrumbs so that the mixture is firm-ish, then make sausage rolls using puff pastry. brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake til golden on top.

veggie pasties- steam about 500g of diced sweet potato, potato, peas, carrots, etc. til just tender. mix with seasoned mushy lentils or mashed sweet potato so it all comes together. (OR instead of steaming veggies, simmer for 10 mins in a mixture of 1 tbsp of green curry paste and 3/4 cup of coconut cream for curried veggie pasties). again, add some bread crumbs if the mixture is too runny. use puff pastry to make little triangles, brush with egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake. yummo.

oh yum good idea! i love the balfours lentil pies:)

hey, that leek and mushroom cannelloni sounds great. i'll be giving that a try for sure! thanks.

Hey Joh your in Adelaide so if your in the mood for a drive go to saints rd salisbury north they are a food wholesaler and they sell soooo much vegie stuff, I get huge bags of onion rings and veigie dim sims that are sooo yummy they just have loads of the frozen stuff but its great to pop in the freezer for whe you just dont feel like cooking and cant think of anything else I highly recomend having a look.

sounds great amy ta.
im down south tho so it would be a drive. :P do you know the name of the place so i could ring first and check they are open? cause if i visit my nan on a weekend it would be good to do both at once iykwim:)

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how do you make the creamy pasta salads, is that just mayo??

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I would use mayo, sour cream and maybe a bit of wholegrain mustard? (I definately use the mustard in potato salad...)

Wow, these meals sound lovely.

hey Joh they are called central grocers and are on saints road in salisbury plain, they have a web site too so you can have a look just google 'cental grocers' and it will come up. they are not very big but have alot. I am south too so dont get there much either, its just so far away.