Vegetarian Times is asking all creative cooks to submit original vegetarian recipes by May 15. You could be a $500 winner. The caveat is no meat, poultry or fish but eggs and dairy are okay. And you must use one of six products listed at the website in your recipe.

Please check out the rules and send away. If you win, let us know so we may celebrate your success.

Although I’m far from being a vegetarian, I appreciate the philosophy and believe that vegetarians and vegans probably have less cancers and heart disease than their carnivore friends.

V Tip: My favorite veggie burger comes from Trader Joe’s. It’s a vegetable masala burger made with potatoes, carrots, green beans, canola oil, whole wheat bread crumbs, and spices. It tastes great on a bun with all the fixings or crumbled into a salad.