Recipe for abstinence

[Satori]

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. I just love to toss some chopped onion and garlic (and bell peppers if I have them) around in a little olive oil and stir it into a dish of plain old kidney beans.

Another good, simple meal is this: Break eggs into custard cups, pour milk over them (or cream if you're not afraid of fat), sprinkle on a little salt and pepper and place the custard cups in a pan of water. Bake them at 350 till firm and serve them with toast or muffins.

If you don't have time for a real quiche, you can make a standard quiche filling and beat in about two cups of flour and a spoonful of baking powder. Then it makes its own crust as it bakes and is o so tasty.

Or how about biscuits topped with stewed tomatoes? That's one of my husband's favorites.

For a vegan alternative to a loaded baked potato, try mixing the potato with a heaping spoonful of nutritional yeast flakes and some olive oil, then topping the whole thing with caramelized onions.

And when I was in college and had no money, I used to saute carrots and onions in olive oil, put them on pasta or rice, and top them with a sauce I made from melted crunchy peanut butter with soy sauce and hot red pepper flakes. Sauteed carrots and onions are also great on a sandwich, with toasted whole grain bread, melted sharp cheese, and raw apple slices.

I do have to insist on the wonder of cheesy grits for dinner even though you said you didn't want any more carbohydrates topped with cheese.