What is a great first time vegetarian dish?

My boyfriend has taken refuge vows in Tibetan Buddhism and is working his way towards a goal that involves a vegetarian diet. Where do we start and what dishes should we try to make first?What is a great first time vegetarian dish?
There is a great forum here that can help you get on your way: http://www.food.com/bb/viewforum.zsp?f=4鈥?/a>



Here are two of my favorite recipes.

One without dairy: http://www.food.com/recipe/peanutty-sesa鈥?/a>

One with dairy: http://www.food.com/recipe/tomato-basil-鈥?/a>



I reviewed the second one under PaNik. I think it will let you see some of my other reviews if you click on my name. I have made that recipe many times since then and it has please omnivores and vegetarians alike.
The easiest way by far is to start by eating what you always eat, only use meat substitutes. They probably have plenty of meat substitutes at your local grocery store, but also check out your nearest Asian store.



This way you don't add the stress of having to 'invent' new meals to an already big change in diet. You can look up and try new recipes at your leisure and already eat vegetarian meals in the mean time.What is a great first time vegetarian dish?
How about a nice pasta primavera with olive oil and a sprinkling of parsley? Side of green salad and breadsticks.



Or a big pot of three-bean chili with diced tomatoes, corn, chopped bell pepper, onions and garlic and loads of chili powder? Side of fresh cornbread or tortilla chips.



Like Indian food? Make a big chickpea curry with some cinnamon in it and tons of vegetables, and ladle it generously over some fresh steamed rice.



It's also simple to learn how to make your own veggie burgers. Try Google for some recipes. You can make them out of beans, veggies and rice, with flour and oil for binding. I like chickpea ones the best. Lentil burgers are good too. You can fix them up on a bun with veggies and condiments, and serve with a side of homemade fries and mixed greens. They can also be nice with pasta and sauce, like a cutlet.



Tacos are great too. Make tons of seasoned black beans for filling instead of meat, then pile on the tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, whatever you like.
Wait wait are you saying you have literally never eaten anything without meat?



There's no such thing as a vegetarian dish, there IS good food- pumpkin curry with garlic naan, coconut dal with fried rice, fried gluten ( mock duck) with noodles.

Cheong fun with portobelloes and rapini.





This is mock duck, made for buddhist monks as a meat free food, and it's gorgeous. You can but it most places, even the non asian supermarkets.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co鈥?/a>





Otherwise, some dofou on a stick ala Bankok style

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af105鈥?/a>



spring rolls

http://www.realthairecipes.com/recipes/f鈥?/a>



spicey corn cakes on a stick

http://www.realthairecipes.com/recipes/s鈥?/a>



pad See yew- fried noodles

http://www.realthairecipes.com/recipes/s鈥?/a>What is a great first time vegetarian dish?
Try PETA's website, they have lots of recipes in the vegetarian living section. My family are omnivores and I didn't succeed in converting them, however I did convince my mom to let me make supper every other night so that we only use 50% as much meat... and some of the recipes I've used from there they loved! and if you use veggie meat you won't miss the real stuff as much.
Eggplant parm.
Fried Mushrooms on a hotdog bun!