D1 and her H are moving into their first house next weekend and I am the chosen one to be the “gopher” for the weekend to make their life easier during the move.
Son In Law is vegetarian. I’d like to bring a few things that can be easy dinners for the first week that can either be frozen or refrigerated. Simple things I can make in my limited time this week OR Costco items I can pick up down there and stock their refrig/freezer with.
Have favorites?
I do plan to bring a pasta salad with chickpeas and cheese (protein). I’ll bake some cookies for grab and go (maybe the monster cookies)
I’m not a fan of the Costco Mac and cheese. It’s blah to me. Any of their frozen items that are tasty might be good.
I’m talking about the store made (?) one that is in the refrigerated section by the rotisserie chicken, and other “ready made ready to eat” stuff. I don’t know the Beecher’s one!
I’m sure you will all think I’m nuts…but I like stouffers frozen things. Their Mac and cheese is very good. I’m not sure if they make a meatless lasagna or not…but that’s easy enough for you to make.
What about salad ingredients? And corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes, caprese salad, etc.
I was talking about things I could make ahead of time or buy ahead of time that would be quick and easy. Cooked veggies don’t really hold well and certainly aren’t going in the freezer to be reheated!
I’m thinking vegetarian “casseroles” or ready made vegetarian products that (like a dumpling or Indian food) they can just heat and eat at their leisure - might be a day after I leave, or a week after.
We do not have Sprouts and I do not have Whole Foods here. I know that I can go in any grocery store and find some frozen vegetarian stuff. But I’m looking for quality and probably Costco and not just wanting to fill their bellies. I want to PLEASE their bellies!
Morningstar frozen veggie burgers. You get them at most grocery stores. There are several varieties but the “spicy black bean” is the best (and not really spicy despite its name).
Frozen veggie meatballs - also available at most larger grocery stores. Great addition to pasta dishes.
Our local Wegman’s sells a collection of Asian sauces. They go great over rice, with tofu (plain, baked or fried) and veggies.
I’ve bought the veggie burgers (and yes, spicy bean) many times.
Maybe I’m not being clear - I’m thinking more along the lines of a comforting filling meal that can on its own be simply warmed up or baked and DONE. Soup might be an option but not this time of year.
I know how to buy vegetarian items. I’m looking for tried and true “one dish or one item” sort of complete meals. Like a lentil bolognese or a good vegetarian enchilada.
So, not just vegetarian ingredients. More like a vegetarian one dish that you might bring to someone “in need” - like on a meal train.
I can think of a number of these…but some aren’t exactly summer dishes.
Veggie lasagna (as mentioned above)
Veggie chili
What about some cold soup…like a good gazpacho? Not hard and tasty.
Nachos
Many Asian dishes…veggie spring rolls, lo mein, fried rice, etc.
If it gets cooler…grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Eggplant Parmesan
If you want to make a really good Mac and cheese…look for Paula Deen’s Crockpot Mac and Cheese. Use 1/2 and 1/2 instead of milk. And if you double it, don’t double the eggs.
Our Costco has had Rao’s eggplant parmigiana which is very good, although I haven’t seen it in some time. Today our grocery had frozen eggplant rounds which just need a quick turn in the air fryer. I am planning to use those to make my own eggplant parmigiana, using Rao’s marinara. Rao’s also has a vegetable lasagna, again very good. Not homemade, but something quick, flavorful and filling.
My husband prefers vegetarian meals and the frozen Bean and cheese burritos are pretty good. You could add some of the premade guacamole. Also the bagged salads that are not lettuce based are good and last longer.
I don’t know if they have it now but the shelf stable lentils are something my vegetarian daughter likes.
Go to YouTube and search vegetarian Costco. I watch a lot of vegan influencer, so these always pop up in my feed, but I don’t have a Costco, so can’t be of much help.
Pouches of madras lentils with the garlic rice and quinoa in pouches
There’s usually some sort of Indian entree (not Costco/ Kirkland branded) in the refrigerator cases
Motor City cheese bread
Milton’s cauliflower crust veggie pizza is surprisingly good
I will assume that cheese is okay (we have several vegetarians in our family, all of whom eat cheese and milk products).
Pizza is one obvious go to item. You should be able to purchase frozen pizza and they can put a few in the freezer.
Various forms of pasta are another. Macaroni and cheese is one option. Pasta and Pesto and/or Pasta primavera is another option. Frequently we will saute up some vegetables, and add it to pasta with pesto and optionally pine nuts.
Right now we are also going with blueberry muffins, small blueberry pies, and I recently made some granola/blueberry bread which seemed pretty good (purchase bread dough, kneed in some granola, then kneed/fold in some blueberries and bake). However, our current obsession with blueberries is short term and largely the subject for a different thread.
Don’t forget to add snacks. My vegetarian kids love to have oranges, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, oat milk, grape nuts cereal, yogurt, chips, nuts, cheese, small amount of ice cream around, too. Love Costco, but too far for frozen food for us.
Our Costco used to have Beechers mac and cheese but no longer. However, I have found it at Walmart! The package isn’t as large as the Costco but it is the perfect size for 2-3 people. It is very, very good.
I’m looking for tried and true “one dish or one item” sort of complete meals. Like a lentil bolognese or a good vegetarian enchilada.