Vegetarian Tips & Advice

This humble beans and rice recipe gets some pizazz with spices, veggies and browned ham steak. And with fibre and protein packed in every bite, your blood pressure will thank you.

For busy cooks, lentils are the ultimate legume. They require no soaking and cook in a half-hour or less. This Mediterranean-inspired take on lentils could serve as a vegetarian main dish. Or for the carnivores out there, you can try it with lamb and

Veggies don't always make it onto your plate, but they're packed with benefits. These fresh ideas will take the carrot from a humble vegetable to the star of your meal.

Colourful sweet peppers are perfect vessels for whole grain stuffing. This recipe features high-protein quinoa enlivened with the flavours of a Greek salad. These peppers make an unforgettable vegetarian entree.

Packed with virtually fat-free protein, cholesterol-busting fibre and heart-healthy magnesium, chickpeas are a superstar ingredient. Why not roast them into crispy snacks? Or make them the center of your next meal?

This vegetarian main dish contains tasty artichokes, which are a nutritional gold-mine. Enjoy a guilt-free home-cooked meal with hearty potatoes, fresh herbs and peas—without sacrificing flavour.

Try this carroty spin on an old favourite. This recipe packs in lots of vegetables and vitamins, helping you reach your daily nutritional goals while eating a tasty meal that's bound to please.

Casserole dishes can become boring after awhile—why not try something new? Kid-friendly and full of flavour, these casserole dishes won't disappoint.

Brown rice, with its toasty taste, takes well to robust mix-ins like wild mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. Add in some snappy cheese, and a little goes a long way.

Grainlike quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is not a grain at all, but the seed of a plant related to Swiss chard. Here it is made with a creative mix of tastes: thyme, cherries and walnuts.

Here's a colourful and easy pasta and bean dish that makes a satisfying main course all on its own. Garlic, olive oil, onion, hot sauce and grated cheese add up to tons of sunny flavour.

Sometimes the easiest way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet is to choose dishes that simply wouldn't be the same without them. Vegetables take centre stage in these recipes.

With their rich, distinctive flavour, shiitake mushrooms are nice change from white mushrooms. This ancient Japanese food has renowned healing properties and is the main ingredient in the following two recipes.

Polenta is the much loved "mashed potatoes" of northern Italy. In this recipe, Parmesan-flavoured "soft" polenta provides the topping for beans and a creamy mushroom sauce.

Whole grains are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Each one carries its own illness-fighting powers and when mixed with other powerful foods they can be dynamite for your health. Here are two recipes that accomplish that.

In the Southern United States, black-eyed peas are said to bring their eaters good luck. Turkey bacon adds a smoky meat flavour to this traditional New Year's Day "must have" dish. Here's a fun recipe that is not only delicious, but helps maintain a

Pilaf always begins with a grain — often rice. But the ingredients can vary: One day, add dried fruit and sweet spices; another, vegetables and herbs. This version overflows with flavour and is a great way to maintain healthy blood pressure.

When asparagus is in season, run — don't walk — to the nearest greengrocer or farmer's market and buy a big bunch (or two). Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty aroma to this festive dish that also helps in a heart-healthy diet.

Oven-roasting cauliflower at high heat with a crunchy coating of bread crumbs, almonds and Parmesan notches up this broccoli cousin's appeal. Raisins add sweetness, colour and surprise. Here's a great recipe that combines these incredible flavours an

With hidden veggies—such as carrot juice and asparagus—these hearty, tasty dishes pack a nutritious punch. In a dinner rut? Shake yourself out of your boring vegetarian routine and try these delicious Southwestern and Italian-inspired meals!