Bamboo Utensils

I used to use wooden spoons.  But then I had to hand-wash them because they don't play nicely with the dishwasher.

Then I used plastic spoons.  But if you set them in the wrong place near the stove, they melt.  And if they are cheap plastic, sometimes they break.

Then I found BAMBOO SPOONS!!  I love these things.  They work like wooden spoons, don't melt or break, and you can wash them in the dishwasher.  And, it turns out they make spatulas and pasta servers and all sorts of amazing things. 

*sigh* A lazy vegetarian's dream come true...

Easy Enchilada and Rice Meal

This easy meal uses a slow cooker and rice cooker, so you can prepare your ingredients the night before, set the timer in the morning when you leave for work, and come home to a delicious, nutritious Mexican meal!

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
originally from The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever

The Main Dish
28 oz. canned crushed tomatoes in tomato puree
14.5 oz. canned chunky salsa
6 oz. canned tomato paste
30 oz. canned black beans, rinsed and drained
15.25 oz. canned whole kernel corn, drained
4 oz. canned diced green chiles
1.5 Tbsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Layering Items
5 corn tortillas
2.25 oz. canned sliced ripe olives, drained

Combine all main dish items in a large bowl and mix well. Ladle about 1 cup of this mixture into the bottom of a 4-quart crockpot or slow cooker; spread evenly. Top with one whole tortilla and whatever portion of another one you need to completely cover the area. Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with the rest of the tomato mixture (spread it evenly over the top tortillas). Sprinkle the olives on top.

Cover and cook on the low heat setting for about 5 hours. Serve hot.

I like to serve it with corn or tortilla chips to add a little crunch. You can also add some shredded cheese or sour cream if you don't mind it not being vegan.


Cilantro Rice
originally from The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook

1 tbsp. butter
1/2 small white onion, chopped
1 cup long grain white rice
1.5 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

If you want to use only the rice cooker, turn it on the regular cycle, melt the butter and sauté the onion right in the cooker. You can also do this step in a frying pan if you'd rather. In either case, sauté the onion until it's soft and clearish.

Combine the onion and all remaining ingredients in the rice cooker; mix well. Set on regular rice cycle and enjoy. It smells heavenly while cooking and tastes just as good!

I was able to successfully make a double recipe in our 5.5 cup rice cooker.

Chop, Chop!

Save prep time with scissors

Another essential piece of kitchen equipment for the Lazy Vegetarian is kitchen scissors. These should be comfortable, sturdy scissors that you use only in the kitchen. Some of my more common uses for them: slicing green onions and chopping herbs. Also useful for salad greens, broccoli niblets, and other small veggies. Not only is it quicker and easier than using a knife, but it also eliminates having to wash the cutting board afterwards!

My Most Essential Appliance

How to be lazy while seeming like an overachiever

If you want to be a Lazy Vegetarian, but eat more than frozen pizza on a regular basis, it's essential to invest in a small countertop chopper. This handy little appliance, unlike a full-blown food processor, is small enough to leave out so it's ready to go at a moment's notice, and it makes short work of common tasks like chopping veggies or making bread crumbs. My chopper has re-opened a whole range of recipes to me that I previously found too labor-intensive and/or time consuming.

I have a KitchenAid model and love it, but any should do the trick. I do strongly recommend an electrical version, though; the hand-held ones are really not that much less trouble than just using a knife.