because I'm tired of spending all my time cooking

[tim]

Dear interwebs:

I'd like to know your favorite vegetarian recipe that takes less than 30 minutes (even better if it's less than 20 minutes) to prepare. Go!

edited to clarify: Must be 30 minutes from zero to ready to eat (that is, I'm not distinguishing between active prep time and passive waiting time).

Comments

[tim]

Are substantial salads OK? I really like chickpea salad, which involves opening a can of chickpeas, chopping/slicing/otherwise suitably treating various veg, herbs, cheese if you want, adding tasty things from jars, and then dressing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I can be more explicit about the veg I think work well in this if you're interested.

That sounds good -- I'm not imaginative, so what veggies do you think are good?

I don't think my electric stove gets hot enough to heat a wok as hot as it should be :-(

The other ideas sound good, am filing away! (I found some frozen scallion pancakes at the local "Oriental Market" (no, really, that's what it's called) that are surprisingly good, but homemade would be cheapter.)

[kake]

A few quick thoughts... maybe other people would like to suggest some too.

Good veggies to put in raw:
cucumber, fennel bulb, red/orange/yellow bell peppers, zucchini (chopped to 1cm pieces, or sliced)
carrots, kohlrabi (grated)
cherry tomatoes (halved or whole)
ordinary tomatoes (chopped)
salad leaves/baby spinach/arugula/etc
radishes (grated, chopped, sliced, or whole)

Good fruits to put in raw:
apples (chopped or grated)

Good things to saute briefly first (takes more time, obviously):
sliced mushrooms, thinly-sliced leeks

Good flavourings:
thinly-sliced scallions/red onions/normal onions
finely-chopped fresh herbs, e.g. mint, fennel, parsley, cilantro, etc

Good things-in-jars:
caramelised onions, capers, olives (halved or whole), roasted peppers, pickled chillies (sliced)