Hey all you vegetarians

Without generalizing, most vegeterians that I came across were uptight and had little sense of humour
 
Since you are not trying to get rid of meat entirely why not just look for meals where meat is more of an accessory and less of the meal? Stir frys are great for that tiny bit of meat sliced very thin with lots and lots of vegetables. Beef and broccoli is especially good because broccoli has so much protein.

Because meat is relatively expensive look for food from ethnicities that capitalize on other ingredients to save money. Mexican food has lots and lots of fairly vegetarian dishes. On the other hand everything is deep fried in lard. I ate vegetarian tonight sort of an accident I had a chile relleno with rice and beans.

If you're making chili con carne just had a lot more beans and different types of beans and a lot less meat.
 
Without generalizing, most vegeterians that I came across were uptight and had little sense of humour

Oh good grief. I never meant this thread to be pro or anti vegetarian. Yes some can be obnoxious but so can meat eaters.

I have not become vegan or vegetarian. I am just looking for new meatless alternatives to eat.
 
Oh good grief. I never meant this thread to be pro or anti vegetarian. Yes some can be obnoxious but so can meat eaters.

I have not become vegan or vegetarian. I am just looking for new meatless alternatives to eat.

I've been vegetarian for about ten years, and I can only say it takes a lot of time to learn how to do it right. I would suggest a web search for "simple vegetarian recipes". There's more online than you could ever use, but you need the recipes and not just some vegetarian ingredient names or dishes. I would suggest picking a few that sound good and collect the needed ingredients and give it a go. When I first switched over, I also relied too heavily on Tofu and I agree that it should be limited. You might try Tempeh, another soybean product which I like better...but not all the time. Variety is key to enjoying the food. In regard to products with ingredients that sound like chemicals....some are probably naturally occurring...but I would recommend shopping at a grocery store that carries only certified.organic, then you know what you're eating. And if you have access to a good natural grocer, I would suggest just browsing around and seeing what's available (often these stores have recipe books/free flyers/cooking demonstrations, etc.)

I hope that wasn't too obnoxious :)

PS: You might also do a quick read-up on just how much protein a human needs for sustained health. It's important to provide the proper balance of nutrients, so you need a little understanding of what's what. And for what it's worth; I've been vegetarian for over ten years and have never felt healthier. Best wishes, I hope it can be a fun thing and not a chore.
 
I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?
 
I am trying to get meatless but I love meat. Don't even talk to me about tofu. It reminds me of jello flavored meat. The texture is awful.

This is an honest question. What is something I can make at home? Without taking two hours to make it.

Really?

I could never give up meat. I mostly do protein, fresh veggies and fresh fruit.

I am a confirmed carnivore. *rawr*
 
I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?

They probably google recipes, dawg.
 
A_J's PSA of the Day:


"The Impossible Burger wants to be the tech industry’s answer to the Big Mac. Concocted by a team of food scientists in Silicon Valley, it is made from wheat, coconut oil and potatoes, yet it aims to be more than just another veggie patty. Thanks to the addition of heme, an iron-rich molecule contained in blood (which the company produces in bulk using fermented yeast), it is designed to look, smell, sizzle and taste like a beef burger."

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/13/business/veggie-burger-impossible-burger.html?_r=0
 
I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?

I've been veg for almost 30 years. I don't remember what I liked before but I know I HATE kale and I hate radishes unless they're pickled.

It's harder to just rattle off recipes but really the best thing is to think about what vegetables you like with or without meat and create dishes around that. I find it easier to Sunday cook a bunch of things because I do prepare two meals every night, one for the fam and one for me. If I've prepped dishes at some point in the weekend I'm miles ahead.


I like that you asked what people enjoy.
 

Sophie Dahl?

http://img002.lazygirls.info/people/sophie_dahl/sophie_dahl_the_delicious_miss_dahl_y1mb82b.sized.jpg

I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?

Sophie Dahl?

http://static1.puretrend.com/articles/2/87/62/2/@/996499-au-met-ball-580x0-1.jpg

I kid, I kid...:D

...seriously, when I want meatless but simple to make and loads of delish, I just do a good skillet of cacio e pepe.

http://static.salepepe.it/files/2014/03/spaghetti-cacio-pepe_6-986x400.jpg
 
It's interesting to read how people dislike eggs or tofu or anything at all really. Often, it's the men.

Growing up, we either ate the food or we went hungry. We ate the food lol. I understand allergies etc., but I don't encourage pickiness. I mean, fair enough if it's seafood or something you hardly eat, but not peas and carrots. I know a boy who has to have BBQ sauce on everything. He likes chicken nuggets and fries and bacon and egg rolls with BBQ sauce. He won't eat rice or mashed potato, fish or curry, vegetables. He won't even try it. 9 years old. He'll actually cry if you try to feed him these things. Sigh. And I blame his mum. I love her, but she's massively picky too and so soft on her son at the table.

Aussies. Many aussies are very picky in general. Maoris? I'd say 95% eat everything LOL
 
I've been veg for almost 30 years. I don't remember what I liked before but I know I HATE kale and I hate radishes unless they're pickled.

It's harder to just rattle off recipes but really the best thing is to think about what vegetables you like with or without meat and create dishes around that. I find it easier to Sunday cook a bunch of things because I do prepare two meals every night, one for the fam and one for me. If I've prepped dishes at some point in the weekend I'm miles ahead.


I like that you asked what people enjoy.

Your food sounds good. My daughter doesn't eat pork. She hasn't for about a year or so now. I suspect it's because many of her friends don't eat pork, but I asked her and she said, "Just because."

She doesn't want to eat it I'm not going to force her. She loves fresh fruit and vegetables, steak, fish, chicken etc., seafood and Asian food and all sorts. So I figure cutting one protein isn't a big deal. It's actually made us a lot more creative in the kitchen. But I don't prepare 2 meals anymore. I usually stop in at Woolies on the way home and she'll cook her own dinner. She's 13 now she's quite capable.
 
I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?

Vegetarian quesadillas are a quick and easy meal. My favorite is made with sauteed spinach and carmelized onions, but you could also use peppers or mushrooms, even refried beans. And your choice of cheese, of course. :)
 
I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?

I read your initial post as well. So I understand what your asking.

I love stir fry and grilled vegetables all of which are quick and easy to prepare and cook from raw vegetables. Sesame seed or peanut oil and some seasonings. Pile it all on some rice and its good.

I make a lot of meatless chili and a lot of meatless fifteen bean soup and pinto bean soup just using the seasoning packets. Add rice and its wow.

Eggs and cheese equals omelets, grilled veggies go great in omelets.

Pita or pocket bread sandwiches with grilled or raw veggies are great...add sprouts for added crunch and flavor.
 
I have noticed many folks are sending me to the web for recipes. I know how to google. I was hoping for things listers actually like to eat. Not some website. What do you like to really eat?


A smattering of some of the meatless dishes we prepare and enjoy:

Pierogis
Miso glazed eggplant, zucchini, carrots, etc
Burritos / wraps
Nachos
Pizza
Eat Indian dishes
Veggie Stir fry
Noodle dishes - Italian / European, as well as Asian
Roasted Cauliflower / Brussel Sprouts / Root Veggies / Any Squash
Rice dishes, using wild rice and other nuttier rice varieties
Beans, beans, beans. There are thousands of ways to cook with beans.
Frittatas and omelets

A lot of the meat craving can be dealt with by creating a ‘umami’ flavour profile in the food you’re preparing. Umami is that meaty, rich brothy taste - think seared steak, roasting meats, etc, that makes you salivate.

A lot of Asian cuisine achieve this by cooking foods fast and at high temperatures (check out the blast furnace going under woks in Asian restaurants), and use sauces or soup bases that achieve this umami flavor with things like fish sauce (quite stinky on its own - it’s from fermenting fish, but can add an intense depth of flavour to dishes), sesame oil, bean pastes, and soy sauces. Think Pho noodle broth, Thai dishes, etc.

Indian dishes use caramelizing (minced onion, gently fried until rich and golden), browning butter, and spices to ‘beef up’ veggie dishes.

If you’re intimidated by spices or flavours that are unfamiliar to you, closer to home you can chop up and fry a good bunch of mushrooms in some butter or olive oil until they reduce and release their moisture. To increase the depth of flavour try tossing them around in a very hot, dry pan until the outsides brown, before cutting them up.

Try adding nuts, seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), or chickpeas to some dishes for added flavour and texture. Dry roasting these in a hot, dry skillet will intensify flavours.

Tomato paste is another way to add a meaty flavour profile to dishes. Try adding some to your hot pan and stir it it around before adding your oil / broth / veggies. You’ll create a ‘fond’, similar to the brown meat residue you find in roasting pans, before you deglaze for sauce / gravies. Even just tossing your roughly chopped veggies in a tablespoon of tomato paste, before adding oil and aromatics, will give some added depth of flavour and umami to roasted veg.

Good luck!
 
Back
Top