mexican mushroom and rice casserole

[fizzgig]

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/recipes/2012/02/15/mushroom-and-rice-casserole-cazuela-de-arroz-con-h/

came across it on the interwebs today and now i have to make it. it reminds me of my favorite dish at my favorite sushi restaurant, it's the same type of thing and they add broiled seafood to it. soooooo good

[freshwest]

1. Thanks, this is sooo going into my comfort food file. Been using mushrooms all I can.

Instead of meat, that is. I'll keep the dairy to a minimum.

[Ruby Reason]

2. Mushrooms make a great meat substitute.

So do lots of other things. I was raised meat and potatoes but have learned to live beyond that, and even my parents (when they were here) learned to appreciate my family's style.

[freshwest]

3. I just made 'spaghetti' last night with all mushrooms, have made stroganoff that way, too.

I've been considering making 'meatballs' with ground portabellos, sourdough bread and parmesan, too.

But all that preparation and making up substitutes is not very appealing to me. So I'm keeping it as simple as possible, now.

Changing my tastes, transitioning back to vegan and then raw. After a while, most of what is called 'food' doesn't seem like food anymore, you know?

I'm glad we get such a great variety of vegan, vegetarian and other foods here. I've tried Quorn Beef-Styled Grounds, as well as their Cranberry & Goat Cheese Cutlets. But the sodium is high for me, so I rarely use them.

I'm a fan of Portabella Gardenburgers sauted with green or red onions, red bell peppers and tomatoes and some veggies. Makes a very interesting dinner.

[Ruby Reason]

4. I like the black bean burgers too.

And morning star just came out with some new "meat"balls that are very nice. We have used them in spaghetti and meatball subs to our satisfaction. Plus I like the veggie dogs they make. They even do well over an open fire, which is the way I like them most.

I know what you mean by food not seeming like food. My husband and I still meat eaters at the time, had been purchasing only nice cuts from a butcher...we stuck some steaks in the freezer after not eating them and nVot wanting them to spoil. Then we decided one day to make tuna casserole or something. Opened the tuna and could only smell cat food. We gave it to the cat, and the steaks to the neighbors and haven't touched meat since.

We aren't vegan, although we've considered it. But vegetarian, and raised our children that way, even enduring the family concerns. Now everyone respects our decision and many in our family are leaning toward a lot less meat.

Have you done the "raw" before? I've always had an interest in learning more about vegan and raw. Not so "fruitarian" though.