Midwest Mary

Fish is not one of my husband’s favorite dishes but I’ve found a sauce that changes everything. I spoon Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic on Dover Sole. I add a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garlic and bake it in the oven at 350 until cooked through. The fish is so delicious we eat every bite.

Avoiding meat a day or more a week is beneficial to all of us, and some of us do this as a sacrifice on Fridays during Lent. If you aren’t a fish-fan, think of ways of hiding and dressing it up with a similar sauce as I used, and remember that there are so many other food alternatives.

Here are a few meatless meal ideas:

• Any fish—baked, fried, or sautéed—served with a starch and vegetable
• Casseroles-such as corn casserole; or broccoli, cheese, and pasta
• Grilled Cheese
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Mushroom Burger
• Omelets
• Pancakes
• Pasta and vegetables
• Pizza
• Quiche
• Quinoa
• Rice and Beans
• Salads—think beyond the traditional lettuce, tomato, onion such as kale, pistachio, and cranberry
• Salmon Burger
• Soups—fish chowder, vegetable, or bean
• Stews
• Veggie Burgers

And don’t forget about all the flavorful ethnic dishes such as:

• Fish tacos
• Indian vegetables such as chana masala
• Italian Frittatas
• Linguine, with string beans, garlic, and oil
• Pasta fagioli
• Sushi
• Vegetable fajita
• Vegetable fried rice
• Vegetable stir fry over rice

If you have further suggestions, please chime it. We’d love to hear from you.

(Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic. Ingredients: Peppers, Eggplant, Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Acetic Acid, Garlic, Hot Pepper.)

©2014, Mary K. Doyle