The Vegetarian Tree: The Fruit is Good!: {Vegetarian} Nachos

Mormon Moms for Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Cooking!

Monday, November 7, 2011

{Vegetarian} Nachos

My husband and I were having some friends over for dinner to watch a football game and I told my husband I didn't know what I should make. He said, "Can we have vegetarian nachos?" It's not often my husband requests something for dinner or asks for something we have not had before. He wanted "game food" but he wanted it to be vegetarian for sure. I decided I had to try and come up with something that even our non-vegetarian friends would enjoy. IT WORKED! Vegetarian Nachos are a new family favorite.

Vegetarian Nachos

1 large bag of tortilla chips

Taco Seasoned Lentils

1 cup of lentils
1-2 TBS olive oil
1 10 oz a can of rotel, blended
1/2 TBS chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
water

1. Rinse lentils well. Then place in pot and cover with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Drain and return lentils to the pot.

2. Add the olive oil, rotel and spices and mix well. Add 1 cup of water and let lentils cook on medium to medium-low heat for about an hour. Check regularly to make sure the water hasn't cooked out completely. Add a little more water if needed through out the cooking process. Lentils are done when they are al dente (to your liking) and the water is almost all the way cooked out.

Salty Beans

Spicy Corn

Cheese Sauce (or Cilantro Bean Dip to keep this Vegan)

3 TBS butter
3 TBS flour
1 1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I used a combination of cheddar, monterey jack, and pepper jack)
salt and pepper (optional)
hot sauce (optional)

1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add flour and whisk together to make a rue.

2. When rue is bubbling, remove from heat and slowly add milk while whisking. Return to heat. Continue stirring until mixture is thick.

3. Add cheese and seasonings and stir until cheese is completely melted.

Garnish Nachos with any of the following:

Sour Cream (NOT vegan)
Salsa
Pico de Gallo
Suped-Up Guacamole
Tomatoes, chopped
Scallions, chopped
Black Olives, chopped
Jalepenos, small diced
Extra Cheese, shredded (NOT vegan)

Assembly
Spread chips onto a large plate. Top with cheese sauce (or cilantro bean dip). Add favorite toppings. DEVOUR!!!!

Two 2 year olds LOVED this, direct quote, "I YIKE DIS!" Our non-vegetarian friends really liked it (OK, they could have been just being nice, but they went back for seconds....) and my husband and I couldn't get enough.

*You could also use these same ingredients for tacos, burritos...lots of different things. Hope you enjoy!

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Doctrine and Covenants 89:10-16

"I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—Every herb (plant) in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth. And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." (emphasis added)

John A. Widstoe

"It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water {and} vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only...They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950)

Doctrine and Covenants 59:16-21

"...the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for rainment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (emphasis added)

Ezra Taft Benson

"There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom...Disease, fever and unexpected deaths are some of the consequences directly related to disobedience...To a great extent, we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom...but what need additional emphasis are the positive aspects - the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat. We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner." (Ensign, September 1988, p. 5)

Ezra Taft Benson