Meatless Meals

I am a vegetarian at heart.  I don't really need meat to be happy.  My family on the other hand likes to have meat here and there.  Here are some of my favorite meatless meals.

Tomato Basil Tart

1 pie crust
2 cups chopped tomatoes, Romas work well
½ cup diced onion
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1 garlic clove, pressed
¾ cup shredded cheese, either mozzarella or Monterey Jack
2 large eggs
½ evaporated milk
½ cup mayo
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/8 t. pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Put pie crust in pie pan. Combine the tomatoes, onion, basil, garlic and cheese in a bowl. Mix and put in pie pan. With a whisk combine eggs, milk, mayo, mustard and pepper in a bowl. Pour over tomato filling. Bake 40 to 50 min. or until top is lightly golden and the center is set. Let cool. Wrap and freeze.

Spring Veggie Soup with Dill Dumplings

2 T. butter
3 stalks celery, sliced
2 carrots, chopped
3/4 cup green onion, sliced
1 cup asparagus stalks, trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces, cooked crisp tender
6 cups broth
2 cups packed spinach leaves
1/2 t. salt
pepper to taste

Dumplings:
1 cup + 2 T. baking mix
1/3 cup milk
3/4 t. dried dill

In Dutch oven, melt butter; add celery, carrots, green onions, and asparagus. Cook over med. heat until veggies softened (10 min.). Add broth. Cook until mixture comes to a full boil. Lower heat, simmer for about 20 min. Add spinach, salt and pepper. Continue cooking 5 min.

 Stir together dumpling ingredients. Spoon mixture on top to make six dumplings. Cover and cook for about 10 min until dumplings are done.

Taco Soup

1 lg. can crushed tomatoes
1 can corn with juice
1 can black beans, don't drain
1 can kidney beans, don't drain
1 can pinto beans, don't drain
1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
1 small onion, chopped
1 pkg. taco seasoning
tortilla chips
shredded cheddar

Mix all the ingredients except the chips and cheese. Bag and freeze. To serve, put in a crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Serve with chips and cheese.