Adventures in Vegetarianism

(It's been fun researching sweet potatoes and recipes, but it's time to move to another topic that we've also had many requests for: vegetarian meals, so for the next few weeks you'll find it here! Our ideas and recipes come from one of our favorite vegetarian websites: www.vrg.org, which is the site of the Vegetarian Resource Group, a group of registered dieticians and physicians dedicated to providing the truth as well as great advice on eating the vegetarian way. And, the Cook'n Vegetarian CD is also another great resource for vegetarian recipes.)

Let's start off with something yummy but easy - a vegetable stuffed vegetable - which doubles your investment in health and pleasure:

Corn-Stuffed Peppers

4 lg green or red bell peppers
½ c onions, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ c cream-style corn
½ c corn kernels
½ c dry corn bread or corn tortillas, crumbled
¼ c freshly minced parsley
1 Tbsp red chili powder
Salt or salt substitute to taste
2 c vegetable broth

Preheat oven to 375.

Fill large kettle at least half full and bring water to rolling boil.

Slice off a top "lid" from each pepper and scrape insides clean.

Plunge shells into boiling water, parboil 2 min.

Remove with care, invert on towels and drain.

In skillet, sauté onions and garlic until soft.

Cool slightly and combine with all other stuffing ingredients and seasonings.

Stuff peppers with mixture and set in baking pan.

Bake 40 min. covered and 10 min uncovered, basting often with vegetable broth.

Serve with hearty whole grain bread, steamed rice or cheesey black beans and tossed salad, and a fresh fruit cup for dessert and you have all the amino acids and other nutrients you need for a satisfying and healthy meal.