I too second having your brother fix himself foods that he likes. One of the key things about a vegetarian life style is to eat more vegetables. He has to learn to cook sometime, think of this as a golden opportunity. I'm guessing you are either a saint or have a special circumstance that has you catering to your picky teenage brother.

I'm with you on the tough love thing. I have one picky-ish eater. The rule in our house is if you don't want to eat what I made then you can get yourself a bowl of cereal. Period.

I was going to recommend the same thing--have him learn to cook for himself. Or have him cook WITH you. It might help to make a list of things he does like, so you can see what combinations might go together. One of my go-to resources when trying to think of what to do with vegetables is the cook book How To Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman. It includes tons of ways to prepare different veggies and is very straightforward. Good luck!

Even though I am just as intolerant of picky eaters as the next person on AT, I do have some suggestions for you! If he'll eat beans, vegetarian burritos and nachos are a good choice. What I eat, as a vegetarian, on a weeknight when I'm too pooped to cook is:

Throw a mixture of frozen roasted bell peppers and onions, frozen corn, and a can of black beans in a pan on the stovetop. Let it cook on high to evaporate some of the moisture, add some black pepper and dried chipotle, cook a little longer. Wrap up in a tortilla with cheese and avocado/guacamole. Or put on top of a plate of chips, sprinkle with cheese, and microwave. Almost anyone will eat Mexican food. Except my Dad. For him, I made a pot of cheesy polenta with a side of plain black beans. He liked it. Not the single most nutritious meal for a vegetarian, but not too bad!

I think in your situation, I'd point out that making oneself a PB&J sandwich is a vegetarian option (see also, crackers and hummus)....but more practically- what about omelets? (I'm assuming he is vegetarian rather than vegan) A plain omelet with cheese topped with salsa is a fairly non-scary vegetarian meal.
Another suggestion would be taco night. You could have more interesting fillers for the adventurous eaters (squash, shrimp, avocado, cilantro, etc...) and maybe some black beans or scrambled egg for your brother?

Faith, I think that's awesome advice! And it'll get him self-sufficient in the kitchen, which is always a plus for a young gentleman.

As far as other things to cook, though--what about Latin/Mexican-inspired dishes? I grew up vegetarian and we'd often make tacos, enchiladas, or burritos. Beans (refried, whole pinto and black), bell peppers, tomatoes, salsa, cheese, onions, avocados, lime juice--all great flavors that just sing when put together. Vegetarian chili might be another option, too.

Agree on tough love, but here are some things you could branch out to:

Veggie Mexican - try veggie fajitas, or black bean and rice burritos or tostadas, or cheese or veggie quesadillas topped with a mix of shredded lettuce, mashed avocados and bit of ranch dressing.

Veggie burgers - you can make your own and they're even better.

Soups can be great, too - there's a classic potato leek soup in the Joy of Cooking that's super creamy, great served with a chunk of warm bread.

Or go the casserole direction - spinach lasagna, mac & cheese variations, tortilla casserole, the options are endless.

I agree, he should feed himself if he's going to be that picky. A small child being a picky eater is one thing, but he's too old for that kind of nonsense. If you bend over backward to accommodate him now, he's only going to turn into a picky adult, which is even worse.

I'm vegetarian, and my husband is a picky eater and doesn't like tomatoes and some of the less common vegetables, so getting him to be adventurous is always a challenge. That said, I think people stress a bit too much about what he won't eat and make things more complicated than necessary.

He actually didn't start eating tofu until a business trip to Japan. So for him it was a question of trying different styles of cooking tofu. We now have veggies and tofu over rice often (of course he won't let me season it so we put our own sauces on the dish). Veggie burgers are a good option, once he finds a brand he likes. That's easy to cook for him while the rest of the family has a meat dish, and the burger doesn't always have to be eaten with a bun. Good luck.

I became a vegetarian as a teen, and that's when I learned to cook, because while my mom was respectful of my choice, I had to be respectful of her TIME and WORK. I knew I'd become a good cook when the forks came out to sample my meal. So, little brother needs a COOKBOOK and a knife tutorial, stat! All the suggestions above are also good to keep him hale and hearty while he learns. That or he can take a deep breath and try all the good stuff you've made.

In case it wasn't obvious already, vegetarians eat vegetables.

Everyone's advice so far is great. He should learn how to cook for himself. That's will be a great way to learn to like new flavors and foods. Touch love is also a great advice.

Sidenote: I know a picky adult who was spoiled growing up. Trust me, it's stressful on those who want to have this person over for dinner. (Alas, I've decided this person's bad eating habits are no longer my problem and I will not bend over backwards for them. It is what is it.)

PETA's vegetarian starter kit has some great recipes. You can also sign up for a weekly recipe e-news. Or search their huge recipe database.

http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/free-vegetarian-starter-kit.aspx

In addition they have a great cookbook geared toward college students that may have some simple recipes he would like.

http://www.amazon.com/PETAs-Vegan-College-Cookbook-Delicious/dp/1402218850

good luck!

Wow, tough crowd today. Teenagers in general generally aren't super adventurous, and being new to eating vegetarian can be challenging. Honestly, if you know he liked chicken before, why not get him some faux chicken now? Quorn makes great cutlets and chunks that can be cooked like real chicken, and there are fake nuggets, patties and fajita strips by Morningstar, Boca and Gardenburger brands. Now, I'm not saying you should give up on trying to expand your brother's palate, but many new vegetarians lean on these facsimiles as they are comforting because they taste familiar. And you can always have him learn how to prepare these items himself as well, but I don't think it's very supportive to stop cooking for him as he's trying to make a lifestyle change. Besides, I'm sure you want to make sure he's getting enough nutrients, which "a bowl of cereal" as mentioned above does not cover.

why not just eat spaghetti squash and vegetables? Yeah I'm with everyone else - just have him do his own food and see where he ends up. Get some vegetarian recipes books from the library.

wow. this kid could be me. i eat meat now (but not wheat & gluten), but for several late-teen/early 20s years i didn't. and i also (still) hate tomatoes but like them cooked as in a sauce or soup. and i'm super picky on top of it all. my bf most accurately put it the other day that i like my food "identifiable". mostly meaning, i want to be able to taste the food and know what it is, not have it smothered in condiments and spices.
i was taught how to cook from a young age, so i can make myself everything from veggie soups & chilis (my veggie chili is AWESOME), to baked mac & cheese and other casseroles. but more often than not, i was eating cold cereal for breakfast, a salad (no dressing or tomatoes) for lunch, and a bean & cheese quesadilla for dinner (no salsa or sour cream or guac).
my recommendation for you is to not push too hard. yes, like some others mention, having him help himself is essential, but i also know that food still causes me a lot of anxiety and the more i'm told to try something, the less likely i'll be to do so.
one cookbook that i still refer to is Vegetarian Baby & Child by Petra Jackson. the first few chapters focus on baby food, so is of no use, but the "kid" & family recipes, are simple, easy to follow, and tasty - not fussy.
also - morning star farms grillers prime burgers w/ mozzarella cheese & sauteed onions on those sandwich thin buns are delicious. i ate those as even as a meat eater all the time (though i haven't since i went gluten-free).

oh - and quorn brand faux chicken is awesome. the naked cutlets baked w/ just a little salt, pepper & maybe a bit of garlic powder. yum.

Wow. That is a tough situation.
I agree with what's been said here already- If he wants to go vegetarian but doesn't really care for most veggies then it should be up to him to find foods he will eat.
I used to be vegetarian when I was a teenager, but coming from a very meat and potatoes kind of family I was very helpful when it came to meal planning. I also ate a lot of side dishes - mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli, etc..

Try to find some veggies he does like to eat- broccoli is usually something most people don't mind- and search for recipes that feature those veggies as the main ingredient.
I find that it's pretty easy to make pasta in a wide range of flavors and styles using the same main ingredients on repeat - just change the sauce or type of pasta...

If that doesn't appeal to him I think it would be a good idea to sit him down and tell him that if he wants to be a finicky vegetarian then he has to be more involved in the meal planning for the family. Who knows- getting him involved in the recipe searching or cooking aspect may even get him to try things outside of his comfort zone.
Good luck!

two more things -
1) i forgot to suggest baked potatoes. there's such a wide variety of topping options so they're easy to make for a crowd.
2) pinterest(.com) is a great visual tool for finding new recipe ideas. just typing "vegetarian" in the search box gives a ton of individual pins to check out, and you can click on "boards" at the top of the page to see collections that others have made. he might be more in to trying to make something for himself if he sees how good they look.

I concur with the tough love but especially with the vegetarian Mexican suggestion. It is easy, and more important, easy to fill with vegetables. I became a vegetarian at 12 and now at nearly 40, veggie burritos (add sweet potatoes), quesadillas (add spinach and corn), and tacos (lentils make especially good taco filling) are still nearly weekly menu items for me.
He obviously needs to learn to cook and contribute, but it is hard to really suggest much, because you've told us more about what he does not like than what he does like. First I'd send him to the bookstore or library to find the perfect cookbook for him.
I think fake meats are totally unnecessary. You can have a healthy delicious diet with beans, grains, and vegetables.

The picky eater can make his own food. He's not a helpless toddler and he won't starve. Seriously, how much skill is required of cooking pasta and sauce? Making a PBJ sandwich? Or putting a pizza into an oven?

It's nice that you want to make him something he likes, but there are other members of the family (you included) and they would like eat their favorites too.

I don't think it's fair to hold others hostage because one person doesn't like the food. It's not like he's allergic.

He may do better with some more traditional style veggie option, such as Morningstar Farms products. Or other meat substitutes until he gets a little older and is more willing to branch out and try new foods.

That's funny Molly, I too ate a lot of cereal, dry salad, and b&c (no slimy stuff) burritos in college, and not just because of my budget.

I was a picky child and teenager and my mother said "If you don't like, cook your own dinner." She had final veto over my dinner choices (no ice cream for dinner) but wouldn't spend a bunch of extra time to cook me a separate dinner. I think some people just take longer to learn to like new foods.

You/he could also experiment with asian noodles stir-fried with edamames. Or different types of tofu (a different texture might make it more appealing to him)

It might also be helpful to encourage him to cook a meal not just for himself, but for the family on a regular basis. If he has a little ownership and control, it might encourage him to take a more constructive approach to the whole issue.

i used to be a vegetarian who hated vegetables, and now i'm a vegan who loves them, so i can relate.
i highly recommend the spork fed cookbook or the online cooking classes from spork foods (www.sporkfoods.com). they do a lot of healthy veggie comfort foods that i love. my super picky fiance loves their vegan mac and cheese made with quinoa pasta, but we like to mix in tempeh bacon and steamed broccoli.

good luck!

Let him cook his own meals. I am tired of hearing that everyone else has to bend to a vegetarian wishes. If he doesn't like vegies, then he really isn't into being a vegetarian. Sometime in life you have to compromise and this looks like a good lesson for him to learn right now. Cook for the rest of the family and let him fend for himself.

I would tell him that you will buy what he needs to make his meal, but he needs to do it himself. I am a flexitarian and eat mostly veggie meals, so I am not anti-vegetarian at all. I just think that if he is going to be picky, then you need to hand the reins over to him.

just curious - where in the post does it say that he doesn't like vegetables? it was stated that he didn't like tomatoes, tofu, and a curry dish... none of those things are vegetables (yes the curry dish was comprised of them, but i don't like curry either).
i came back to add that if the pasta & pizza thing gets tired, polenta is a great meal base and like the baked potato concept, there are many things that it can be topped with, making it versatile for the whole family.

I order business lunches for 70 people about twice a week. We have 2 vegetarians in the office. One just doesn't partake (without complaining). The other usually looks at the food and says "oh, there's nothing here for me to eat) and walks away. When I order vegetarian dishes he won't eat because it might include cucumber, peppers, avocado... When I ask him what I can order that he would like he says cheese pizza (sorry can't order pizza all of the time). I've given up trying to please him vs 69 other peeps. The restaurants he suggests are way above our budget. He now brings in his own lunch and has finally accepted that I can't satisfy his choice of diet. If the person can't tell you what they like, oh well...they're on their own. Sorry.

Picky eating, especially coupled with a radical diet change (going from carnivore to herbivore, for example) can often be indicative of an emotional or psychological disturbance/imbalance/issue, so it might be worth checking that out first, before making huge exceptions for him. Once you rule that in or out, then hopefully this will help...

My husband and I had a friend who is a vegetarian and claimed not to like vegetables or exotic food. I made dinner for all of us one night, just like I normally would, without special care regarding his distaste for veggies. And there he was, sitting across from me, WOLFING down broccoli and green beans and zucchini. I think a lot of the time, it is the preparation that is the issue. Nobody wants to eat steamed broccoli. It tastes bland and pungently farty at the same time, let's face it. But steamed broccoli topped with truffle butter? Apparently veggie-hating vegetarians like that! :) I've tested this theory out on other meat eating veggie-haters, and it works on them. So far, steamed broccoli with truffle butter, green beans sauteed with chiles and ginger, and simple zucchini roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper work for veggie hating non-adventurous folks. I don't tell them what is in it...I just say "it's broccoli, but try it" and give no other description. (If you have a food allergy person, of course be conscious of this...) If they think it is exotic, obviously you'll never get them over that hump in their mind. But if you just make it a non-issue, and be frank and move on, it takes away the fanfare, so apprehensive eaters will feel less pressure about trying the new items. Now, I can make any number of crazy things and our picky friends will try it (and usually like it), because I've built up that trust with them. Hopefully, in time, your brother will have a similar experience. Hope this all helps and I hope you have the same success I have!! Good luck!!

Well, I'm on the "let him cook for himself then" bandwagon too, but with an extra comment: when I moved in together with my boyfriend he was a VERY picky carnivorous eater who didn't eat ANY vegetables. I'm adventurous and stubborn (and though I do eat meat too I really love my veggies), so even though I knew he would frown at first I slowly started including just a little bit of one vegetable here, a little bit there, so I could get the hang of what he tolerated, what he truly didn't like and how I could convince him to broaden his horizons. Savoury tarts, quiches, hand pies, tortillas (and Latin/Mexican in general, as some people already commented), creamy potato soup spiked with some extra veggies in for good measure and basically anything with cheese were always successful. Now, two years later, we're both almost exclusively vegetarian and he tells me all the time he could forsake all meat without looking back if necessary. The trick is to get him to be curious about the "other" food, instead of cooking something else exclusively to cater to his picky taste... asking him to help you is always a good strategy, of course. Just go slowly and gradually add veggies to the dishes, make them simple, fresh, pretty and interesting. It'll be good for him and his future wife will thank you, believe me :P

usually with a picky eater, what helps is involving him in the making/planning of the meal?

As someone who was a picky eater as a child and became a picky vegetarian as a teenager, (which I now feel was essentially the stupidest thing I did as a kid/teen), I don't necessarily agree with everyone here (though I kind of do).

For me, my mom certainly never changed what she made to suit my choices, but her meals were always a compromise intended to get 3 picky children to just shut up and eat without wasting effort on nice dishes that would just get torn to crap by dumb kids. All of the sides would be defrosted vegetables steamed to death, accompanying a spaghetti featuring ground beef, prego traditional, and nothing else. This was probably a pretty good approach, since we all LOVED this spaghetti, even if it did nothing to develop our palates. When I made the switch to vegetarianism, I would just switch out the beef with the overcooked broccoli, and it was terrible, but it was close to what I was used to. I certainly didn't see a need to develop my tastes, and I was never encouraged to, so I just ate mediocre food for a long time.

So my advice, as a bitter, regretful former teenage vegetarian, would be to use it as an opportunity to explore good vegetarian cooking, WITH vegetables, with the kid. To me, exploring tasty new dishes doesn't seem like something you should avoid just to make a point. Even if it is just one night a week, making a vegetarian meal and involving him in the process would probably go a long way to developing an appreciation for food that could help him get over being picky. If he ends up liking it, great, but if he still is picky about it, that's his problem, as long as you make meals that you and the rest of your family can enjoy too.

That being said, black bean burgers, burritos, soups (especially thick lentil soups), and stir fries were always key for me in my vegetarian days.

My partner is a picky eater who went vegan and gluten free with me a couple of years ago. It took time, but he's learned to eat all kinds of veggies (like swiss chard) that he didn't know existed. Neither of us grew up eating that stuff, but anyone can learn to enjoy it--even picky eaters.

Try exposing him to veggies a little at a time, repeatedly (it really works, but you have to be patient). I recommend roasted vegetables. Picky eaters often like crispy and fatty foods, and roasting brings out the natural sweetness of root veggies. Lots of picky eaters don't like their foods mixed, especially if they are unfamiliar, so roasted veggies are easier to eat than a casserole or curry. To make a meal of it, you can pair it with rice and beans (you said he likes edamame--try also black, adzuki, or chickpeas).

Picky eaters often like crunchy things, too (texture can be a big deal). My partner likes salad with crunchy romaine hearts, chopped carrots, and sliced radish and cucumber.

Vegetarian or not, he has to learn to eat vegetables if he wants to be healthy. It takes time to train your palate, but it works and it's worth it.

As a fellow vegetarian & occasional picky eater, I sometimes encounter the same problem (especially if I'm being lazy). Like other comments before mine, get him to help cooking. Quorn products are very tasty & their package of beefless crumbles works very well with pasta or in chili. Baked broccoli w/ parmesean sprinkled on top is really good too. Another thing I like to do is make mac & cheese with steamed broccoli & cauliflower mixed in. Makes it a little healthier. I also sauteed brussell sprouts in honey butter, which was divine. Squash might be another thing for him to try. Just add a little butter, salt & pepper & bake.

It took me a while to be a bit more adventurous & try new veggies, spice, etc, but he'll get there eventually.

I guess I would look at his favorite foods pre-veggie and see if there were veggie alternatives. For example, if he loves tacos, meatless all-bean or bean-and-rice fillings would be perfect and not chock full of veggies he might not like. Spaghetti is just fine with only marinara (no meat) and you could make beautiful veggies on the side to add to it if he's too picky. I second the baked potato idea (although I prefer to use baked potato toppings on mashed potatoes - skin-on). If he likes/eats eggs, you could always try cheesy vegetable egg-bake/quiche. Or maybe something like au gratin potatoes (minus the ham) with a green salad would be a nice veggie meal. Or if Asian food is okay, meatless stir-frys are always nice. And you could always cook up some thin-sliced beef or chicken separately for the rest of the family.

I've also found that people who don't like certain vegetables (or veggies in general) actually really like roasted vegetables. Just forgo the bacon and use all olive oil instead. With plenty of pepper and kosher salt, they are delicious! And they could be a full meal with a little bread and butter.

I think maybe the best thing though would be to ask him what he wants to eat, and then make him cook it with you. If he starts thinking about what he likes, he might be willing to try something new. And cooking might get him looking up recipes online and wanting to try new veggies and recipes.

So yes - a combo of tough love mixed with a little persuasive catering to his picky habits at first is a good idea.

I have to suggest that if he is picky and old enough to learn how to cook-now is probably the right time. Get the Bittman vegetarian book for him-it's all he'll need.

As someone who grew up with a picky eater (my older brother, but not vegetarian), we kept frozen pizzas for him for when he didn't want to eat our meals and left it at that. He knows how to cook, but rarely does, but he's also finally (early 30s), eating more foods. Patience (and lots of it) is key.

However, a vegetarian who won't eat some vegetables or tofu needs a good book on nutrition or I hope they like beans and eggs enough to get protein that way.

What made him go vegetarian?

Also agree on the tough love... BUT here are some ideas, which you can teach him how to cook for himself: purchased (no lard!) pie crusts with eggs and spinach/goat cheese or broccoli/cheddar; macaroni & cheese with a layer of spinach in the middle; the nut loaf from the Greens cookbook (I hate nuts and mushrooms, the two main ingredients, and I love this dish); veggie chile (Greens also good there). Putting the burden on him to forage might also get him to try and learn to love more veggies. Good luck!

Mock duck is a great substitute for chicken in many recipes. Also, omelets for supper so he can add his own fillings and you can still eat meat! And keeping some boca burgers in the freezer as a last resort isn't a bad idea either.

I've been a veggie for over a decade, and I don't think there's anything "tough love" about having him cook for himself. It's a basic skill that everyone needs to learn, but vegetarians in particular, because at some point, he's going to run in to people who aren't as tolerant and accommodating as his family is being. Indeed, once he's been cooking for himself for a bit, he may feel a bit more adventurous and try some of the things he's unwilling to try when someone else makes it.

You might also try some of the better meat-replacement options (I like Lightlife). When I eat with my parents, my mum reserves part of what she's making and instead of adding meat, adds the replacement for me. (For example, vegetarian 'beef crumbles' in beef stroganoff.) It works well, because they get the same food they've always liked, and nobody has to make a whole batch of something just for me.

Apart from letting him cook for himself, you also could include him into meal planning. Ask him what he would like to eat and ask him to search for recipes which would satisfy him and the rest of the family. If he can give you a recipe that satisfies him and the rest of the family, you will cook it. If not, he has to look for himself.

When I was a picky teenage vegetarian and the rest of my family was not, we absolutely LIVED on Deborah Madison's cookbook, "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone." I still make her eggplant parm at least once a month. You can find a pretty cheap used copy online! Good luck!!

I'm for the tough love! I'd suggest letting him pick up to 3 veggies he really hates and respecting that list - anything else YOU cook, he's got to eat. And as people said, he's old enough to fix himself a meal if he wants to opt out of the family dinner, but I'd also limit the number of pizzas/pb&j he can have per week. Vegetarian or not, teenagers (and grown ups) shouldn't rely on meat only or (even worse? And I'm vegetarian) quorn. He should understand the importance of veggies and balanced meals.

As some people suggested, how about choosing recipes together? Check pinterest and get some cookbooks from the library and agree on a list of recipes he'll eat without complaining. It's great you're supporting his choice, but he should help you with it!

Also, I used to *hate* broccoli, cauliflower and anything squash-related growing up (still have squash, the smell only makes me gag) but still ate it because my mum already made dinner for 5 people and wasn't going to make an extra one just for me. And I wish I'd been more appreciative of the fact she'd cooked and would also deal with me looking disgusted by what was in my plate!

First off, I'd be very cautious trying the pasta Faith mentioned-- as a picky vegetarian myself, married to an even pickier omnivore, lemon and pasta is a bit too adventurous. I made a lemony pasta from AT once and I thought it was sort of weird, and my husband HATED it-- it actually led to one of the worst food-related fights (and there have been many) that we've ever had. Be forewarned.

That said, there are things you can do for picky vegetarians. Try to zero in not only on what he likes, but why he likes it-- Texture? Flavor? Cooking method? Nutritional content? I tend to be pickiest about texture, and I am very particular about what flavors go well together. I finally figured out some of the meals my husband doesn't like, it's actually because there isn't enough protein for him (he's very active with a high metabolism). And sometimes, simply underseasoning a dish (and if he's picky, that might just mean undersalting) can make the difference between an empty plate and an empty stomach. And if he likes cheese, or another easy add-on? My husband will eat just about anything if I grate some cheese on top. Integrate favorite ingredients with new or intolerable ones, and maybe make a rule that he has to try at least one bite of every dish (no judging with his eyes or nose alone).

I wouldn't force him into cooking for himself-- I see a lot of ramen and frozen cheese pizza in his future, if you try that-- but include him, teach him how to cook, or let him pick a few meals per week. Vegetarian Times is a great magazine I use to get my thought process going-- lots of well-styled pictures, and familiar ingredients as well as new ones. I'd treat it as an exciting new challenge for your family, rather than a chore (which is what I assume you're already doing, since you're asking for advice).

As far as specific meals go, you said he likes marinara sauce? I'd try the borlotti (cranberry) beans in tomato sauce over polenta on this site, with some modifications (i.e. leaving out the fennel). Soaking and cooking dried cranberry beans and making your own marinara (I used fire roasted crushed tomatoes, cooked down with sauteed onion and garlic, and just a little dried oregano and red pepper flakes-- oh, and plenty of salt... and a little red wine) really transforms a bland polenta base into something magical. I sometimes have trouble with the texture of beans, but cranberry beans get very creamy when cooked. Top the whole thing with some grated parmesan and chives. He might like it, and the rest of the family almost certainly will.

Recipe here: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/main-dish/recipe-borlotti-beans-in-tomato-sauce-with-creamy-polenta-073854

Don't give up on the more adventurous foods just yet, either, just give him time. I've come around to most Asian cuisines, including Indian food, and just recently discovered I adore Ethiopian food. He'll figure it out.

I was never allowed to be a picky eater, if I didn't "like" it I didn't eat.. no way was my mother going to cook two meals... tough love is the way to go!! ( thank goodness too, there are so many wonderful foods to try, even vegetarian style :) )

He should cook for himself.

While I share the though love and let him cook for himself opinions, I wanted to express a fear. I do not say that it applies to your brother, but I know someone in that situation, so a word of caution.

Vegetarians/vegans are all the rage right now (and I'm not saying it's a bad thing, on the contrary !), but not everybody understands that it is not just about not eating meat and animal products. It's about having a whole new diet where you replace animal proteins with vegetable equivalents. A vegetarian diet without any vegetal protein (tofu for instance) can be a very dangerous thing ! Humans need specific nutritious elements, and while you can totally change the way to get them to protect animals, you cannot avoid eating all of them if you want to stay in good health.

Since your brother is a teenager, I'd first check that he has not become a vegetarian to loose weight because he was misinformed (again, I knew someone who...), that his vegetarian diet does not consist of junk food (after all, sweets and sodas are meat-free), and that he fully understands that he still needs to eat right.

I may sound overly anxious, but it is only due to two bad experiences of school friends who went vegetarian while teenagers, but for the wrong reasons and the wrong way, and ended up with serious health problems. I'm not saying this is the case of your brother ! But if I were you, I'd check to be sure.

I'm also a vegetarian who dislikes whole tomatoes (but loves homemade sauce) and tofu. Suggestions:

1. Meat substitutes can make things a lot easier, especially in the beginning. Want tacos? Use TVP or fake ground beef, like Morningstar Farms. Boca burgers topped with cheese and grilled onions can lay waste to a meat craving quick. There's everything out there from buffalo wings to meatballs, and some of it is pretty damn good.

2. Pasta can save many a meal, but if you're sick of it, think soups. Anything from your basic creamy potato & corn chowder to spicy African peanut soup to hearty minestrone; there are millions of options out there, and surely at least some will work for his tastes.

3. Cheese! Fondue makes a really fun meal for a group. Some good quality cheddar and crackers with grapes or nuts will make an easy packed lunch. And if he's willing to try Indian food, paneer is easy to make, delicious, freezes well, and gives you loads of dinner options - just toss in in whatever sauce you feel like having that night. (I'm partial to tikka masala and makhani, but I won't turn down a spicy vindaloo, either).

4. Side dishes as a meal: what are his favorites from before? Can they be expanded into a main course?

5. Breakfast for dinner: as far as American food goes, breakfast fare gives vegetarians of the best variety. French toast, slow-cooked oatmeal with cream and fruit, omelets, millions of types of pancakes and waffles, popovers, eggs a thousand ways, fruit salad, yogurt, homemade granola... so many delicious options.

Best of luck to you and your family. I really hope he sticks with it - the first year is the hardest, but if he finds his groove, he'll be healthier and happier for it. :)

As a reformed picky eater, I am definitely in the tough love camp. My mom made one meal for the family, required me to eat two bites of it, and if I still didn't want to eat it, I knew where the bowls and the cereal lived.

That said, are his friends vegetarian? I started expanding my eating horizons on camping trips, dates, and other outside the home experiences because it was embarrassing to be picking everything out of my food. Inviting some of his more adventurous friends over for dinner could help him realize that picky eating is kind of lame. A little peer pressure in this case could go a long way (towards him trying new foods--if he wants to be vegetarian, more power to him).

Hi Emily!
Here are links to some of my favorite recipes.

Savory Squash Ricotta Tart: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/savory-ricotta-squash-tart

Broccoli Leek Soup w/ Lemon Chive Cream: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/broccoli-leek-soup-with-lemon-chive-cream

Beer Battered Buffalo Tofu Skewers:
http://www.rhymeswithvegan.com/2009/09/beer-battered-buffalo-tofu-skewers-w-creamy-cucumber-sauce.html

Oven Baked Parmesan Fries:
http://playwithsugar.blogspot.com/2009/07/oven-baked-parmesan-seasoned-fries.html

Homemade Falafel (AMAZING!): http://www.foodpeoplewant.com/falafel-with-tahini-sauce/#more-1712

Quinoa Burgers (Also amazing!): http://pinterest.com/pin/129267451773847335/

Hope this helps! If you need more ideas, 101 Cookbooks is a great vegetarian recipe site, and the Rebar cookbook has DELICIOUS options from one of the best veggie restaurants out there. Cheers!