13 lacto recipes

Savory pumpkin biscuits with whole wheat, wheat germ, bran, and a clever clove of garlic to balance the sweetness. Drop biscuits with a spoonbread interior, no butter or eggs needed.

Pasta primavera in a light evaporated milk sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, and garlic sauteed in dry sherry. A low-fat vegetarian pasta with no butter or cream.

Whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread for the bread machine with brown sugar, gluten flour, and skim milk. A lacto-vegetarian loaf baked on the light crust setting.

Dum gobi is a fragrant North Indian cauliflower and pea curry, the steamed florets folded into a creamy yogurt-tomato gravy spiced with garam masala, cardamom and turmeric. A golden, lacto-vegetarian classic.

Fruit pudding: apples and prunes simmered into a sweet, juicy base, topped with light dumplings steamed right on the fruit. A cozy, low-fat stovetop pudding that comes together in one pan.

Layered chili bean casserole with rice, corn, zucchini, and black olives, topped with a cilantro-yogurt drizzle. A hearty vegetarian Mexican-style bake.

Vegetarian lentil roast with ground nuts, corn flakes, applesauce, and sage, topped with tomato soup glaze. A hearty meatless loaf that slices like a traditional roast.

Vegetarian spinach and brown rice casserole with cheddar cheese, eggs, and sunflower seeds. An ovo-lacto friendly bake with nutmeg, soy sauce, and a crunchy seed topping.

I wanted to share a recipe which I have been making this winter for my family. It is a good cold weather dish. It makes enough for a crowd my family (2 adults and 3 teens) only eat about half. This can be made ahead and chilled until ready to use.

One-bowl black bean casserole with cornmeal, sweet corn, tomatoes, and mild green chiles baked until set. Lacto-vegetarian, low-fat, and simple enough for a busy weeknight.

Lacto-vegetarian sweet potato soup with carrots, celery, peas, and a triple-herb blend of thyme, basil, and tarragon. Finished with nonfat sour cream for a lighter, meatless comfort bowl.

Make-ahead tofu noodle casserole in a creamy Parmesan poppy seed sauce with pimientos. Assemble the night before, bake the next day. Retro comfort food with a vegetarian twist.

Zucchini in mock cream sauce uses the vegetable's own extracted juices to make a thick, creamy sauce with no cream at all. A clever lacto-vegetarian technique with garlic, butter, and optional Asiago.