Have a Meatless Labor Day

Intro:
Meat is usually on the menu in America, and, when most traditional, foreign dishes pepper meals with meats, Americans use it as the main course, and, sometimes, in fact, the entire meal. Holidays are no different, and the more unconventional dieters are reluctant outcasts hopelessly tagging along at meat-eater soirees. It's like inviting Megadeth fans to a Green Day luncheon. Even among so-called friends, no one says anything at first, but the message is clear: you don't quite fit in.

Of course, Megadeth fans would never consciously honor an invite like that, but when the holidays are coming around, wouldn't we all like to put the differences aside and throw a party that can be enjoyed by all. Buy organic food and meat for a change, fix up a diversity of foods that everyone can enjoy, throw in a mixed CD where "Brain Stew" might get along with "Peace Sells... but who's buying," and put your worries to rest. After all, it's a holiday!

Need some ideas:

Portabella Mushroom Burgers

1. Portabella Mushroom Caps
2. 4 Tomato slices
3. 4 Wheat Hamburger Buns
4. Romaine Lettuce

Marinade

1. ½ Cup of Olive Oil
2. 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
3. 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons of Garlic Powder
5. 1 tablespoon of Onion Powder
6. 3 dashes of Cayenne Pepper

Soak Portabella Mushroom Caps in marinade for at least thirty minutes. If you have time, allow them to soak for two hours. Don't soak overnight because too much exposure tends to make the mushrooms soggy.

Grill soaked portabella mushrooms until cooked. Prepare your delicious burgers with the remaining ingredients. As is, this is a delightful vegan meal that anyone can enjoy. Vegetarians can add slices of melted, mozzarella cheese.

Veggie Kebabs

1. Chopped Zucchini
2. Chopped Squash
3. Petal Chopped Yellow or White Onions
4. Pineapples
5. Sliced Apples

Almost everyone loves kebabs; a stick with bite-sized goodies prepared by the dozen with very little effort.

After you've sliced your vegetables and fruits, impale them on your bamboo skewers and grill to your hearts content!

Salad with Vinaigrette
Vinaigrette

1. ½ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2. 4 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
3. ½ Cup tablespoons Olive Oil
4. 1 teaspoon Parsley
5. 1 teaspoon Mint
6. 1 tablespoon garlic powder
7. 1 tablespoon onion power

Salad - can include any and all of the vegetables you want, but, typically, I use Romaine Lettuce, sliced Red Onions, sliced Cucumbers, a sprinkling of baby sprouts, chopped carrots, and sliced Green Peppers.

For a big party event, double your ingredients, put the vegetables in a large bowl, and keep your specially made, healthy vinaigrette nearby for your vegetarian and vegan friends to use. You'll find that even meat eaters will enjoy the dressing because of its smooth texture and its sweetness, but, in comparison to the average salad dressing, this topping won't bloat your body with fat and cholesterol, so, it's an appealing choice for anyone who's interested in eating the healthy way.

Baked Pita Bread Chips and Humus

1. Pita Bread
2. Olive Oil
3. Hummus

All you need to do is buy some pita bread and hummus from your local grocery store. If it suits you, try the Roasted Garlic Hummus. Cut the bread into small triangles. Spread a thin layer of olive oil over it with a pastry brush. Bake the pita in the oven at 375°F for about fifteen minutes or until golden brown.

Use the humus as dip, and you have tasty snack for anyone to casually enjoy.

Veggie Sushi

1. Shredded Carrots
2. Romaine Lettuce
3. Sliced Avocados
4. Chopped Cucumbers
5. Nori Sheets
6. 2 tablespoons of Rice Vinegar
7. Japanese Mayonnaise
8. Bamboo Sushi Roller

If you're unfamiliar nori, it's a Japanese word describing edible seaweed. Most commonly, the seaweed is dried and made into a thin sheet, which can then be used to make sushi. The food is well-known enough, even in America, that it can be found in most large grocery stores - often relegated to the "ethnic section." The Japanese Mayonnaise may be a little more difficult to find, but, if there's an Asian foodmart in your area, the odds are it'll be there, but, even if you can't find it, serve the bite-sized treats as vegan entrées without the mayonnaise and, I assure you, they'll still be quite tasty.

A bamboo sushi roller makes preparation much easier when it comes to nori rolls of any kind. If you don't have one, they'll run you two or three dollars on average. Once you do though, it's time to roll!

Traditionally, there's a process any sushi chef would go through to prepare the rice, which, many will say, is the most crucial part of making successful sushi. I agree, but, in my home-cooking experience, regular rice mixed with a little rice vinegar will do just fine. As far as rice brands, I tend to buy the Jasmine Rice by Asian Best, and, any time I make a trip to the city, I schedule time to stop by the local Asian food store to grab a bag.

A rice cooker is obviously the easiest way to prepare rice, but, if you don't have one, no problem. Make sure you clean your rice in a strainer by running water into it while you dig in with your hands. If the water is still murky or cloudy, it's not clean, keep doing it. And this cleaning process has to be done, even if you are using a rice cooker. Then put about two cups of rice into a pot and fill with water until it rises just about an inch over the rice. Start the boiling, and make sure to stir regularly so the rice doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pot. Once the water has begun to boil, make sure to reduce the heat and cover.

Making rice this way should take about twenty minutes, but, once it's done, lay out your nori sheets on your bamboo sushi roller, add your rice vinegar to the rice, and start spreading it on those seaweed slips.

Once you've shredded and chopped your vegetables into small, easily manageable pieces, place them on the rice, which is neatly pressed onto the nori. Don't overcrowd the ingredients or it will be difficult to keep your roll together. Lightly apply the Japanese Mayonnaise if you have it. When everything is in place, roll it up tight, and you should end up with one large sushi roll. All you have to do now is cut the large roll into several much smaller ones, and your vegetarian sushi is done!