Bodybuilders understand the importance of getting adequate protein. Vegetarian bodybuilders understand the difficulty that this poses when you don't eat chicken, beef, or fish. You can eat lots of nuts, beans and whey shakes, but if you have a food processor you can also whip up some really delicious and easy recipes that are also protein rich.

Homemade Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

If you're tired of eating regular peanut butter, then you should make your own dark chocolate peanut butter at home. All you need are roasted peanuts and quality dark chocolate.  If you're going to be eating a lot of it you should choose peanuts that have not been salted because you don't want too much sodium.

You should pulse the peanuts until they are smooth but still chunkier than the consistency that you like. Then you can add the chopped up chocolate. Now process it until it reaches the smoothness you desire. The peanuts have the protein and the dark chocolate makes it taste even better.

Spicy Cashew Sauce

Because you're going to be getting a lot of your protein from nuts, it's helpful to have a variety of textures. This way you won't have to simply choose between eating plain nuts or a nut butter. This is why a cashew sauce is so great. It can be used on your rice and beans or over a green salad.

You will need to get a cup of vegetable broth, a cup and a half of cashews, a clove of garlic and some salt.  Process it all until it is smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding more broth. If you find that it is too bland you can add Tabasco or Sriracha.

Sun Dried Tomato Hummus

Hummus is a great alternative to salsa. You can use it as a dip with chips or with vegetables. It's better than salsa when it comes to protein because it's made with chickpeas (which have protein) whereas salsa is a tomato based condiment.

You will need 1 can of chickpeas (12oz) , the juice of 1 squeezed lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a quarter cup of tahini sauce (sesame seed sauce), and a few sun dried tomatoes. Process it all until it is smooth.

Faux Refried Beans

Refried beans are delicious and they have protein, but it's not the healthiest food to have every night. However, with a food processor you can make healthy, faux refried beans that you can have every night without feeling guilty.

You will need 1 can of pinto beans, 1/3 cup of vegetable broth, 1 clove of garlic, 1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, and a half an onion. Heat the beans on the stove, then drain them.

Place the ingredients into the food processor, such as one from  Food Equipment Depot, and process until it is the consistency you desire.