Vegan Recipes Please!

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LoveMyArmyMedic
LoveMyArmyMedic Posts: 70 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Please don't respond if you want to cast judgement. I have been a vegetarian for over a year. I've recently transitioned to a vegan diet. I have two young children and refuse to make them take on my lifestyle (I hate buying meat but it's up to them) They know how I feel. It is extremely hard to think of (vegan) meals that taste good, and appeal to my children. I am frustrated. I have made countless lentil loafs and 'alfredo' sauces and I'm always disappointed. I have a an intolerance to dairy and I refuse to eat meat. If anyone has any tried and true recipes, please share!!!

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  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
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    http://chefchloe.com/entrees/avocado-pesto-pasta.html

    This pasta is amazing! I use almonds, just because I like them better than pine nuts. Your family won't believe it's dairy-free, also much healthier!

    Her book is great too if you plan on cooking for your family, I suggest trying some of the recipes from her website
  • irishgrim
    irishgrim Posts: 38
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    have you looked at the blog "oh she glows"? really great recipes there.
  • rosieg1979
    rosieg1979 Posts: 99 Member
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    I'm a great fan of the Post Punk Kitchen cookbooks/website. The Vegan Yum Yum blog also has some nice stuff.
  • speedy001
    speedy001 Posts: 91 Member
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    As a vegan mum living in a house of omnis I know exactly how you feel. Best family meals for us is home made burgers I do a marinated tofu one that has grated carrot and coriander with avocado and sweet chilli sauce or you can use any type of veggie burger. Home made pizza with lots of veggies and some Italian herbs is really tasty. Chilli con carne with soy sour cream is good. I make shepherds pie with lots of finely chopped veggies particularly mushrooms is just like ground beef and so much better for the cow too. Have a look at every recipe you currently make and enjoy as a family and substitute the meat for seitan or vegetables or even mock meat occasionally would be the best place to start. There is a vegan group here on MVP too so plenty of support available. Winter think soups and casseroles and summer anything you can cook on the barbie with lots of salad will keep you all healthy and happy.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
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    Fruit smoothies and green juices are sweet enough that your kids will love them, and you will too, plus they are filling and healthy.
    Also, there are many, many soup recipes out there.

    You can make a cucumber salad with some tomatoes and basil, maybe a little dill and/or some balsamic vinegar.

    There are many rice based dishes that are really cheap, like veggies over rice.

    You can add sweet things to dishes too, like mango chunks. I had some fajitas with mango in them while traveling in the Philippines that were DELICIOUS!

    There are tons of great options, but one of the best options would be having simple fruit meals. It's ok to eat a lot of fruit in one sitting. One of my favorite meals is just fresh peaches, and nothing else. Your kids will love the sweetness of fruit, and you will love the simplicity of it.
  • jnp96
    jnp96 Posts: 163
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    I cook 90% of my meals from the following cookbooks

    1. The McDougall Quick and Easy Cookbook: Over 300 Delicious Low-Fat Recipes You Can Prepare in Fifteen Minutes or Less
    2. Everyday Happy Herbivore: Over 175 Quick-and-Easy Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes

    All the recipes I've tried & I have tried most of them are GREAT! You mention you have children so check out this website. This woman has small children and offers tons of vegan recipes that they adore.

    http://peasandthankyou.com/
  • craftybirdy
    craftybirdy Posts: 53
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    http://chefchloe.com/entrees/avocado-pesto-pasta.html

    This pasta is amazing! I use almonds, just because I like them better than pine nuts. Your family won't believe it's dairy-free, also much healthier!

    Her book is great too if you plan on cooking for your family, I suggest trying some of the recipes from her website

    Her cookbook is a great resource for making vegan versions of non-veg foods. I love the mac and cheese. The recipes are pretty simple and no weird, hard to find expensive ingredients.
  • LoveMyArmyMedic
    LoveMyArmyMedic Posts: 70 Member
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    http://chefchloe.com/entrees/avocado-pesto-pasta.html

    Thank so much for this suggestion! I just bought her cookbook! :)
  • LoveMyArmyMedic
    LoveMyArmyMedic Posts: 70 Member
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    have you looked at the blog "oh she glows"? really great recipes there.

    I love her website!! I made her Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf and wasn't impressed. Maybe I mixed something up. I do appreciate you comment. Thank you!!
  • Haikugurl
    Haikugurl Posts: 31 Member
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    I really like the recipes @ Happy Healthy Life: http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/

    Most of her recipes are fairly easy to make. I love her vegan cheese, peas, & pasta. I usually add steamed broccoli & meatless meatballs to it & use plain mustard with no maple syrup or spicy seasonings. http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/07/cheese-peas-n-pasta-meatless-monday.html
  • LoveMyArmyMedic
    LoveMyArmyMedic Posts: 70 Member
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    I really like the recipes @ Happy Healthy Life: http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/

    Most of her recipes are fairly easy to make. I love her vegan cheese, peas, & pasta. I usually add steamed broccoli & meatless meatballs to it & use plain mustard with no maple syrup or spicy seasonings. http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/07/cheese-peas-n-pasta-meatless-monday.html

    Thank you!!!
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
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    Mixed Bean Curry

    1 400g tin chick peas (garbanzo)
    1 400g tin kidney beans
    1 400g tin tomatoes
    2 small or 1 large onion
    50g-100g block creamed coconut
    Coconut or red palm oil for frying
    Loads of fresh garlic
    Curry powder or paste to taste
    Fresh coriander leaf (cilantro).

    Can be made without the kidney beans or the tomatoes but with any other vegetables (spinach, cauliflower, carrot, broccoli, bell peppers, aubergine/ eggplant, sweet potato, garden peas, mushrooms) instead. IMO it is the coconut that makes it, for me few vegan recipes give satiety.
  • shrinkingislander
    shrinkingislander Posts: 315 Member
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    There is a fabulous book written by Brendan Bazier called "Thrive" and it includes many vegan recipes, as well as how he follows a vegan diet and balances this with his ultramarthon (freaking long) career. Definitely worth the read.

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