Sheila Griffin Llanas - Easy Vegetarian Foods From Around the World

Cook yummy vegetarian foods from around the worldits easy!

Have you ever tried chiles rellenos? How about miso shiru? If you enjoy trying new foods and learning about the countries they come from, this book is for you!

Not only will young readers enjoy reading the books in this series, but they will also want to make some of the recipes that fill the pages.

Cooking for me isnt just a career, its my passion. Every day I learn something newits about having fun and being creative.

About the Author

Sheila Griffin Llanas writes books for young people and adults. She likes to research and she loves to cook. Her favorite places are the library and the kitchen.

Warning: The recipes in this book contain ingredients to which people may be allergic, such as peanuts and milk.

You have probably already eaten lots of vegetarian meals. Macaroni and cheese, potato soup, salads and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are all meatless.

Vegetarians do not eat meat, poultry, or fish. Vegetarians do eat animal products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, and eggs. A vegetarian diet is filled with vegetables, fruits, grains like rice, barley, and oats, and proteins like tofu, eggs, dried beans, and cheese. Vegans (VEE-guns) follow a more strict vegetarianism. They do not eat any animal products at all.

People choose vegetarian meals because they can be economical (cheaper). Othes do not believe in harming animals. Other people feel healthier eating little or no meat.

Vegetarians must get important nutrients like protein, iron, and calcium from other sources. Proteins (help your muscles) can be found in nuts and legumesalmonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, etc.; seedssunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.; and dried beanslentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, navy beans, split peas, etc. Iron (keeps blood healthy) can be found in dried fruits, baked beans, spinach, and tofu. Calcium (for strong bones and teeth) can be found in tofu, soy milk, milk, cheese, yogurt, collard greens, and molasses.

Each recipe in this book has specific directions on W HAT Y OU N EED and W HAT TO D O . You will also find cooking tips. The tips help you to be safe and have fun in the kitchen. They will make you a more skillful chef.

Whenever you are in the kitchen, there are important safety rules to follow.

1. Always ask a responsible adult for permission to cook. Always have an adult by your side when you use the oven, the stove, knives, or any appliance.

2. If you have long hair, tie it back. Remove dangling jewelry and tuck in any loose clothing.

3. Always use pot holders or oven mitts when handling anything on the stove or in the oven.

4. Never rush while cutting ingredients. You dont want the knife to slip.

5. If you are cooking something in the oven, stay in the house. Always use a timerand stay where you can hear it.

6. If you are cooking something on the stove, stay in the kitchen.

7. ALLERGY ALERT! If you are cooking for someone else, let him or her know what ingredients you are using. Some people have life-threatening allergies to such foods as peanuts and shellfish.

• Wash your hands before you start. Make sure to also wash your hands after touching raw poultry, meat, or seafood and cracking eggs. These ingredients may have harmful germs that can make you very sick. Wash knives and cutting boards with soap and water after theyve touched these ingredients.
• Use two cutting boards (one for meat and one for everything else) to avoid getting any germs from the meat on other food.
• Rinse all fruits and vegetables under cool water before you use them.
• Make sure your work space is clean before you start.
• Clean up as you cook.

• Read the recipe from beginning to end before you start cooking. Make sure that you have all the ingredients and tools you will need before you start.
• If you dont understand something in a recipe, ask an adult for help.

• To measure dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, dip the correct-size measuring cup into the ingredient until it is full. Then level off the top of the cup with the flat side of a butter knife. Brown sugar is the only dry ingredient that should be tightly packed into a measuring cup.
• To measure liquid ingredients, such as milk and oil, use a clear glass or plastic measuring cup. Make sure it is on a flat surface. Pour the liquid into the cup until it reaches the correct level. Check the measurement at eye level.
• Remember that measuring spoons come in different sizes. Be sure you are using a teaspoon if the recipe asks for it and not a tablespoon .

• Beat Mix ingredients together fast with a wooden spoon, whisk, or an electric mixer.
• Mix Blend ingredients together with a wooden spoon, an electric mixer, or a whisk.
• Stir Combine ingredients using a wooden or metal spoon.

Cooking has its own vocabulary. Here are some terms you should be familiar with.

brown (verb) To cook, usually in oil, until the food turns light brown.

chop To cut into bite-sized pieces.

condiments Foods that add a flavorful accent to a dish, such as ketchup, relish, and mustard.

Creole A spicy sauce or dish made with tomatoes, peppers, onions, celery, and seasonings, and often served with rice.

cube To cut into small cube-shaped pieces.

cuisine The type of cooking used in a particular country.

dash (noun) A very small amount, such as one shake of a salt shaker.

dice To cut into small pieces (smaller than chopped), about -inch sizes.

drizzle To pour a small amount of liquid in a stream over a dish.

fry To cook in hot fat in a pan on top of the stove.

garnish A bit of colorful food, such as parsley, that adds flavor to a dish and makes it look more attractive.

herbs Flowering plants used to give food a distinctive flavor, such as oregano, marjoram, parsley, and basil. They can be used fresh or dried.

mince To chop into tiny pieces.