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As a non-meat eater, I usually serve Portobello Wellington as a main course for the holidays. This year, though I'm trying mini portobellos as an appetizer. The recipes that call for puff pastry sheets make this really easy. And even our carnivorous friends love it.

I am a vegetarian, too, and I suggest beans of all types. We eat black beans with rice and feta cheese and various veggies for "rice salad." We also eat a lot of chickpeas in hummus, felafels, sandwich spreads, etc.

But, you don't have to eat beans. Tofu is a good and cheap ingredient. You can press it and drain it and then fry it or freeze it or bake it, all of which changes its texture. Lentils are great and filling. I make a simple lentil soup and then when we're tired of that, I boil it down and make lentil patties which freeze really well. Quinoa is another dish we have often. I make ours with tomatoes, peppers, black beans, corn, and cilantro but I'd tried a lot of quinoa recipes. These are all quick and easy dishes to make- without any pasta in sight. Best of luck!

Pumpkin bars or pumpkin waffles!

I had two kids cookbooks my mom bought from magazines she subscribed to, but the one I remember using the most was an old church cookbook because it had a recipe for banana bread. To this day, I still have that cookbook, but I memorized the recipe about 20 years ago.

I agree with going outside, not just to avoid a co-worker, but to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I do it everyday while my coworkers have their cliques in the lunchroom. I work in a lab as well, so lunch is the only time I can see the sun, and I love it.

Lately some type of veggie sub or wrap. All the fresh summery vegetables I can find with some sauce or maybe a slice of cheese and I'm in heaven.

I'm traditional. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheddar cheese, and some condiments. Nothing exciting here.

Hmm. Sounds like they were better than I thought. Though lately I've been making yeast pancakes- from this vegan version, even though I'm not vegan. Yum!

Vegan Yeast Pancackes

I had two Indian roommates in college, and they would "stink up" the kitchen often cooking for themselves. Finally, they made all of our friends go out and try Indian food at a local restaurant so we would stop nagging them about the smells. Needless to say, it worked.

Fresh corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, and cucumber salad- of any type. 3 veggies, 3 dishes. Nothing is better.

Good to know. I'll be on the look out for one. Thanks!

My favorite vendor in Sacramento has loads of herbs, Asian vegetables, and little old ladies who don't speak English too well. I've been happy with everything I've ever bought from them.

I am not a bad cook, but I am cheap, so if I'm paying a lot of money for food at a restaurant, I want it to be something I don't know how to cook or can't cook myself. It seems silly to go out for something I can make at home for 1/4 of the price.