A list of things that every vegetarian needs in their cupboard.

Before I even get started posted recipes and pictures and all of those glorious things, we must first go grocery shopping. Everything on this list MUST be in your pantry if you are to succeed at making wonderfully yumtastic vegetarian meals.

Lentils. This is a key ingredient in several of my everyday recipes. They are worth their weight in gold when it comes to making meat-substitutes, as well as the vegetarian staple, Lentil Soup. Lentils have oodles of protein in them, to make up for what we're otherwise lacking.

Black beans. Not only are black beans fantastic in a salad, or a burrito, but who doesn't love a classic black bean burger every once in a while?

Vegetable stock. You need it for rice, soup, and when preparing Seitan and Tofu. Always have a carton or two handy.

Rice. It's filling, healthy, and cheap. It also completes your bean proteins. 

Breadcrumbs. I use breadcrumbs in most of my meat-substitutes. They're a wonderful binding agent.

Fresh vegetables. You're a vegetarian. Eat your veggies! Make sure you have plenty of lettuce, tomatoes, squash, beets, kale, carrots, and onions. 

Yogurt. Breakfast is not complete without yogurt. Calcium, vitamins, protein. Start your day off right.

Olive oil. Perfect for salad dressings and pesto. Also a healthy cooking alternative (as opposed to vegetable oil or butter.)

Seasonings. Italian seasoning, garlic salt, rosemary, basil. And your basics- salt and pepper.

Fresh fruit. Bananas, cherries, apples, peaches, berries... especially berries- studies show that berries (and black beans!) help balance out hormones and help you lose weight. I like using frozen berries- they have just as many nutrients as fresh berries, but they stay good 10x as long. 

Yeast. Homemade bread is much healthier than store-bought. Also, all good pizzas start with homemade dough. 

Firm Tofu. Despite what you may think, Tofu can actually taste good- when done right.

Eggs. Eggs are a huge part of a vegetarian's diet. Not only are they super healthy, but they are a very key ingredient in most meat replacement recipes. 

Milk/Soy Milk. I cannot emphasize this enough- since we don't take in protein from meat sources, we have to get it in other ways. An 8 oz glass of milk generally has 8 grams of protein (even soy milk!)

Wheat Gluten.  This is the main ingredient of seitan- an up and coming meat replacement- resembling tofu, but without the spongy texture.

Now it's time to set you free, my vegetarian friends. Get to the store and buy the goods. We'll be cooking up something fabulous very soon.