vegetarian

[Alison]

Lately I have wanted to cut down on my meats and eat healthier. I'm starting to be grossed out by meat.
I'm looking to slowly add more whole foods in my diet.
I'm looking for recipes that are tasty and easy to convert a meat eater like me and my kids. I don't want lots of pasta recipes as gluten does not agree with me. Any one willing to help.
It has to taste good.

[David]

Do you want to cut back on all meat, including seafood? You don't specify.

Here's a recipe I created that can be tailored to your preferences.

Ingredients

• 4 or 5 patty pan squash, yellow
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• Wild rice (and/or brown rice, if you prefer)
• 1 cup marinara
• 1 pound large scallops (or prawns, if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons crushed ginger, Gourmet Garden brand
• 1 tablespoon crushed lemon grass, Gourmet Garden brand
• Kretschmer brand toasted wheat germ

Cook the wild rice, cover & let sit.

Dice squash & put in a large saute or frying pan with a lid. Salt & pepper. Add olive oil & on low to medium heat, slowly caramelize squash, stirring frequently but keep cover on to maintain moisture.

Add crushed ginger & lemon grass & continue caramelizing. After a few minutes, add scallops. Cover again & turn to low heat. Let cook approx. 5 minutes. Stir, if needed.

When scallops have almost completely cooked (should be slightly browned on outside), add marinara & wheat germ (sprinkle). Cover again & let warm through on very low heat for approx. 3 minutes.

Dish up wild rice (or brown rice) on large serving plate, & scoop scallop & marinara & squash goop -- well caramelized -- onto the rice. Add a sprig of thyme to promote greenery on the plate. Enjoy!

[DESTINYRU!ES]

Hi there

I've been a veg. for six years and have never been at a loss for good tasting meatless dishes. (Becoming a veg has also made me a better cooker of meat dishes for my meat eating guests, and yes I allow others around me to enjoy what they like even if I don't like it.) I too, like you, because grossed out by eating meat because of horrid experieces eating strange animals in a foreign country. Then when I returned home to the safety of chicken and the "normal meats of home", I found I couldn't shake the idea that all meats have the same consistencies. So in a nut shell I'm saying, I've been where you are and I did make the decision to cut out all meat and ultimately it has made me more aware of what I put into my body and I've also lost a few extra pounds. Like I said, it works for me. In time you will find what works best for you and your family. If you have any questions feel free to ask. If you give me an idea of what kind of food, spices, flavors you prefer, I can offer recipes based on your preferences. But quite honestly, asking if anyone has any good meatless recipes is like asking if Fleetwood Mac has any good songs...the list could go on for... I rest my case. My last point is that becoming a veg has made me aware of the seasonal foods that are only in season at certain times and those immediately become favorites because they only come around when the produce is in season. Tonight I made pumpkin soup with fresh pumpkin, leeks(in the onion family) and potatoes. I've made it for many pot luck get-togethers and always bring copies of the recipe cause i've never known anyone to not like it. Even if you dislike the idea of pumpkin, give it another chance. Fresh cooked pumpkin is nothing like the orange paste that comes in the cans. I've gone on long enough. I can also recommend a few good "meat reducer" and vegetarian cookbooks to get you started.

[Alison]

I forgot to mention. I still will eat seafood and eggs.
thanks for all the help so far.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by Alison

I forgot to mention. I still will eat seafood and eggs.
thanks for all the help so far.

I have been meat free for about 10 years. We do eat fish though, and later on I'll see if I can send you some great recipes. David's recipe sounds wonderful.

FYI- my husband's cholesterol was 270+. He quit smoking and stopped eating meat and now it's down to 113.

[GODDESS6]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I have been meat free for about 10 years. We do eat fish though, and later on I'll see if I can send you some great recipes. David's recipe sounds wonderful.

FYI- my husband's cholesterol was 270+. He quit smoking and stopped eating meat and now it's down to 113.

awesome on the lowering of the cholesterol!!!~ my dad was very thin & what we thought was healthy, but he had high cholesterol, which we didn't know about, that was 22 yrs ago & they hardly talked of checking your cholesterol levels back then & they certainly didn't do it to someone who seemed healthy & was so young, he also smoked~ he died of a massive heart attack at 37~ eating healthy is something i always try to do, but i haven't been able to take out the meat totally, but do try to always use lean cuts & we eat lots of boneless skinless chicken breast & fish~ we always eat ALOT of veggies & salad~ my son will only eat chicken & fish, he loathes red meat & i am fine w/ that~ even in my daycare i always try to cook more on the healthy side than feeding them the junk that they all crave~

[irishgrl]

Add a sprig of thyme to promote greenery on the plate.

*snort* Thats sig worthy!

[golddustwoman77]

Morning Star makes some fast and easy meat replacements that are terrific. I especially like their Chik-Patties and faux-sausage patties. They are in the frozen food section of your grocery or Wal-Mart.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by golddustwoman77

Morning Star makes some fast and easy meat replacements that are terrific. I especially like their Chik-Patties and faux-sausage patties. They are in the frozen food section of your grocery or Wal-Mart.

omg, i LOVE morningstar fake meat ... lol. my favorite are the black bean burgers & the buffalo wings. yummmmmmmmm.

[Alison]

I live in Canada, so I don't get the Morning Star products here.
Keep the ideas coming. You will convert me yet.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Alison

I live in Canada, so I don't get the Morning Star products here.
Keep the ideas coming. You will convert me yet.

oh. damn canada.

try checking out the freezer section for other brands - morningstar just happens to be my favorite but there are other tasty ones out there. one of my favorite lunches is a black bean burger with melted colby jack cheese with salsa & guacamole

[WildInTheWind]

Originally Posted by Alison

I live in Canada, so I don't get the Morning Star products here.
Keep the ideas coming. You will convert me yet.

Do they have Amy brand products? Those are good if you're looking for something quick and easy. Pricey, though.

I haven't eaten meat (or fish) in about 12 years. I use portabellas a lot. And tofu can be awesome if you can prepare it right. I have a hard time with tofu. But I'm a ****ty cook in general, so that could have something to do with it.

[jannieC]

Boca makes a great line of meat replacement products. Clicking on that link will take you to a recipe link, too.

[irishgrl]

are boca burgers really as good as everyone says??

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by WildInTheWind

Do they have Amy brand products? Those are good if you're looking for something quick and easy. Pricey, though.

I haven't eaten meat (or fish) in about 12 years. I use portabellas a lot. And tofu can be awesome if you can prepare it right. I have a hard time with tofu. But I'm a ****ty cook in general, so that could have something to do with it.

Tofu is your best friend. Or at least it could be if you give it a chance. I happen to have grown up in a household where tofu was a staple since I was a wee laddie, so being a vegetarian (borderline vegan) for the past 20 years has been very, very simple. I really don't understand where all the tofu hate comes from, because it is just wonderful- raw, stir-fried, steamed (soon-doo-bu), as ice cream, etc. Soy milk, edamame, and soy nuts are also great protein sources. It's an acquired taste, but you would do well to go check out some Asian restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.) to see how they do their tofu dishes. Unfortunately I think most people think of tofu as the slimy crap found in the raw form in some salad bars, so definitely keep an open mind about it. Being vegetarian is not just about fake meats or having to compromise or sacrifice. It's about have great food that you enjoy unconditionally because it is healthy, humane and environmentally sustainable.