Appetizers you can make for the vegetarian in your life

Maybe you want to start having meatless Mondays? Maybe you have a vegetarian friend or family member? There's no shortage of reasons why you may want to add some vegetarian recipes to your cooking repertoire. Whether you're looking for a way to include some more vegetables in your diet or you need to satisfy the dietary preferences of your vegetarian loved ones, it's always nice to have a vegetarian option.

Quick and easy vegetarian recipes for sides and appetizers

Kale pecan pesto

You can use this pestoin multiple ways. You can put it on your pizza or flatbread. It's a simple addition to pasta, just toss it in! It combines easily with an avocado and spreads on toast. You can even add it to your omelet.

Pesto offers excellent health benefits. It's full of antioxidants, a good source of calcium, and it can help normalize your blood pressure. It's a heart healthy option that tastes great and goes with so many things.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups packed kale
• 1/2 cup raw pecans
• 1 or 2 tablespoons lemon juice (depends on your taste)
• 1 medium-sized garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Use a food processor to combine and mix the kale, pecans, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
2. Blend until the kale and pecans break down into little pieces.
3. Keep the machine running and add the oil.
4. Run the processor until the pesto reaches the consistency you prefer.
5. Add the cheese and run the processor for a moment to combine.

Once you've done all this, taste the pesto and add more lemon juice or salt as needed to suit your tastes. You can store this pesto in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.

Spinach quesadillas

This one is so simple you only need a skillet and your measuring utensils. This meal is readyto be assembled, cooked, and eaten in less than 30 minutes. You can make a meal out of this appetizer or share it with friends. Start an assembly line and have everyone make their own!

Spinach comes with multiple health benefits. It's high in fiber, an excellent source of vital vitamins and minerals, and has antioxidants. This simple leafy green has shown the capacity to benefit eye health, help prevent cancer, and reduce blood pressure levels.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. fresh baby spinach
• 4 chopped green onions
• 1 chopped small tomato
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice
• 1/4 cup reduced fat ricotta cheese
• Optional, sour cream on the side

Directions:

1. Combine, cook, and stir spinach, green onions, tomato, lemon juice, cumin, and garlic power in a skillet.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in your cheeses.
3. Coat one side of the tortilla with your spinach spread and fold in half.
4. Place the tortilla back in the skillet or on a griddle and heat until it is golden brown.
5. Slice quesadillas as desired and feel free to serve them with sour cream or your favorite salsa.

Black Bean and Corn Salad with Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette

This one is perfect served as an appetizerwith chips, bread, crackers, or even as a side with your main dish. This recipe makes a large serving which makes it perfect for a party or family gathering. Use it to top your main dish for some extra flavor if you like.

Black beans are one of the main ingredients in this appetizer. Even without everything else is this recipe, black beans offer multiple health benefits. They can help control blood sugar, may help reduce cancer risk, and their fiber content can improve your heart health.

Ingredients:

The salad

• 2 ears fresh corn
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh chopped cilantro
• 1 avocado

The dressing

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1-2 limes
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large garlic clove, roughly chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (2 peppers, not 2 cans)

Directions:

1. Boil a large pot of salted water.
2. Add the corn, cover, and turn the heat to low.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the corn from the water and let cool.
4. Place the chopped red onions in a small bowl and cover with water. Let sit for ten minutes, then drain and set aside.
5. Rinse the beans under cold water. Drain and set aside.
6. Holding the cooled corn upright in a large bowl, cut the kernels off the cob.
7. Add the beans, red onion, red bell pepper and cilantro.
8. Make the dressing by putting all of those ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
9. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or, preferably, overnight.
11. Right before serving, slice your avocado in half and add it to the salad.
12. Toss the salad gently, then serve cold.

Use these recipes for your next party or as a starter for the next family meal. Hungry for more tasty recipes and meals?

• Healthy Super Bowl recipes
• Keep your liver healthy with these foods

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