Vegetarian recipes and tips???

lindseym1983
lindseym1983 Posts: 209
edited December 17 in Food and Nutrition
Slowly I have been losing my taste for all the meats I use to love. I don't mind giving them on but any vegetarians out there that can give me advise on what I need to supplement by giving up meat? Also, I have two small kids is there kid friendly vegetarian recipes out there? Thank you. :)

Replies

  • TracyTucci
    TracyTucci Posts: 35
    Bump.. i would really like to know this also. I am not a big meat person. I love a good hamburger, but when it comes to steak or chicken a couple bites and that is it.
  • Tink_889
    Tink_889 Posts: 244 Member
    I'd also love some tips :)

    I have found that swapping to quorn is great. If you like spaghetti bolognease which I'm guessing the kids will quite like too! Quorn has a great amount of protein and much less fat than regular meat.

    x
  • Kat5688
    Kat5688 Posts: 27 Member
    I found this website through stumbleupon. Their recipes look pretty good and easy and here is the tips section: http://www.veggienumnum.com/hints-tips/

    You can also check out the groups 'vegetarians' and 'happy herbivores' here on MFP. They both have recipe threads and general tips for substituting meat.

    Good luck!
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/45-happy-herbivores
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/46-team-vegan
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/219-mfp-vegetarians
  • gastankerdriver
    gastankerdriver Posts: 162
    I dabble in vegetarianism, but haven't completely given up meat, although I have cut back alot and would like to give it up someday. Here are a few of my favorite vegan foods--Nature's Path organic waffles, Earth balance soy butter, Whole Soy Inc-- organic soy yogurt, and Boca veggie burgers. If you want some really hardcore vegan nutrition, check out the Vega website. They have super-nutritious smoothies and protein shakes (all vegan). Good luck.
  • Helenatrandom
    Helenatrandom Posts: 1,166 Member
    I am NOT a vegetarian. (Nothing against those who are, I just don't want to misrepresent myself...) I do try to go meatless a couple of times per week, though. My husband and I REALLY liked the following recipe, but the sodium is awfully high.

    Crockpot Mexican Chili (from Meatless Monday website, only they use corn instead of kidney beans, which may make it more kid friendly, btw)
    Serves 4
    1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (Cento chick peas)
    1 15-oz can black beans (Bush's Best low sodium)
    1 15 oz can of kidney beans (Everyday Essential)
    1 24-oz jar of your favorite salsa (I like Carlita Fat Free Thick and Chunky Medium)
    2 tbsp chili powder (or to taste)
    1 tbsp cumin
    1 cup water

    Turn crockpot on low heat. Drain corn and beans and mix all ingredients together in crockpot. Cover and cook 4-6 hours (depending on thickness you desire).

    Calories 360
    Carbs 69
    Fat 2
    Protein 24
    Sodium 1699 (Yes. This is where it "gets you")
    Fiber 22

    I did find it a little spicy, so I added a baked potato and greek yogurt, which really helped. My husband told me I could ADD more chili powder to it next time, so you really need to judge that for yourself.
  • kate_n_pjs
    kate_n_pjs Posts: 86 Member
    When I first became a vegetarian I did it slowly, and used replacements often, as I became more comfortable with just veggies, grains and legumes I gave up more and more of the fake meat products. I use seitan and tofu every week but only if I am busy or it is a special occasion do I use fake meat.

    Swapping vegetables (greens, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, corn, soy beans, etc) for meat is going to be the best replacement. Examples: pasta primavera, vegetable tacos, burritos, fajitas, pannini, salads, soups, stir fry, or home made lentil loaf (I have not made this before but have seen yummy recipes)

    I also add in tofu, seitan, lightlife products (breakfast sausage, yum), Field Roast (good sausages for grilling, especially at someones house for a bbq), and Gardein products. The problem with fake meat is the huge amount of sodium, so I use them on a special occasion.

    You can friend me and view my diary. I eat eggs and cheese on occasion but no meat, fish, or milk.
  • marilou0511
    marilou0511 Posts: 591 Member
    These are great sites and the veggie chili recipe looks yummy. I just joined a 7-day "Veggie Fruit Water Detox Challenge" at another site (FATSECRET.COM) and urgently need more veggie recipes for this challenge.

    Thanks.
  • miracle4me
    miracle4me Posts: 522 Member
    bump
  • GrandmaCarole
    GrandmaCarole Posts: 35 Member
    The place to eat out is Olive Garden. Their Ravioli de Portabello is outstanding. The lunch portion is on target for calories.:flowerforyou:
  • MrsODriscoll
    MrsODriscoll Posts: 127 Member
    What kind of food do you like to eat? The internet is your friend - there are so many resources, recipe sites and blogs! I'd highly recommend www.happyherbivore.com as a good resource for low fat plant based foods. well done on cutting down on meat - friend me if you'd like to see my diary ;-)
  • treehugger215
    treehugger215 Posts: 97 Member
    I've been vegan for 5 years now! I've got tuns of tips and suggestions :) I'm new on here, but feel free to add me? (if thats how it works! haha)
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    Slowly I have been losing my taste for all the meats I use to love. I don't mind giving them on but any vegetarians out there that can give me advise on what I need to supplement by giving up meat? Also, I have two small kids is there kid friendly vegetarian recipes out there? Thank you. :)

    Just keep giving the kids meat as they need it. I understand your desire to be vegetarian but not for the kids.
  • darkling_glory
    darkling_glory Posts: 239 Member
    Try Namely Marley and Oh She Glows for fantastic recipes!

    Also, Mark Bittman's book, "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian." He's not a vegetarian, so his meals appeal to "carnivores" and everything is delicious!

    Also, rethink your "plate" at dinner time. Your plate doens't have to be a piece of meat surrounded by veggies. You can do a baked potatoe topped with all sorts of yummy things. Curries - with rice, coconut milk and veggies are delicious. Soups and stews are a hearty meal all in themselves (Rachael Ray has fantastic soup/stew recipes that are easily vegetarian-ized).
  • carriempls
    carriempls Posts: 326 Member
    There's a great cookbook called "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" that's a good primer.

    Also, I happen to love Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She's a Vegan chef, blogger and author and her site is here: http://www.theppk.com/

    She's vegan, not vegetarian, so if some of the ingedients sound funky to you, you can always substitue real cheese for faux cheese and stuff like that.

    Morningstar Farms, Boca and Quorn make some faux meat products that are helpful when you're learning to transition away from eating meat, but it's frozen processed food, so I wouldn't look at them as a long-term solution. To me, that's my junk food now. To be eaten once in a while if I'm lazy or want variety, but it's pretty rare. Still, they're lower in fat, cholesterol and calories than most meat, so not a terrible option either.
  • carriempls
    carriempls Posts: 326 Member
    Slowly I have been losing my taste for all the meats I use to love. I don't mind giving them on but any vegetarians out there that can give me advise on what I need to supplement by giving up meat? Also, I have two small kids is there kid friendly vegetarian recipes out there? Thank you. :)

    Just keep giving the kids meat as they need it. I understand your desire to be vegetarian but not for the kids.

    This isn't true at all. Children can easily get all of their nutritional needs from a plant-based diet. It may take a little work as you learn how to best do that but children can be raised very healthfully on a vegetarian diet.

    Besides, she's asking for some recipe tips, not even planning on going fully veggie. Most people, children included, would do well with a bit less meat in their lives. They won't go protein deficient with a few more meatless meals a week.
  • carriempls
    carriempls Posts: 326 Member
    Try Namely Marley and Oh She Glows for fantastic recipes!

    Also, Mark Bittman's book, "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian." He's not a vegetarian, so his meals appeal to "carnivores" and everything is delicious!

    Also, rethink your "plate" at dinner time. Your plate doens't have to be a piece of meat surrounded by veggies. You can do a baked potatoe topped with all sorts of yummy things. Curries - with rice, coconut milk and veggies are delicious. Soups and stews are a hearty meal all in themselves (Rachael Ray has fantastic soup/stew recipes that are easily vegetarian-ized).

    Great tips! One-pot meals are the norm for me. Stir frys, curries, stews and soups are all easy to make veggie.
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