So here you come, searching for vegetarian recipes, huh?
You might be dating someone who is not fond of meat or simply wanting to introduce a bit of variety to your menu, whatever the reason: please take a seat and feel at home, I am sure you will find some recipes that will join your weekly rotation.
Before you start, here are some words of wisdom.
Plant-based diet is not expensive
as long as you eat whole foods. Fake meat, cheese alternative, plant-based milk- those can be fairly pricey, sometimes even more than the actual animal products. They are great flavour-enhancers but treat them as the 10% of your diet, the base should consist of fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and grains. Good news is that those are usually very cheap and good for your health so you win on several levels here.
Invest in flavours
My spices selection has definitely overgrown my current kitchen and it looks like it doesn’t stop my appetite for new flavours. You do not have to go extreme but having a good choice of spices and condiments will make your food more exciting. For example, you can add yeast extract (e.g. marmite for those from the UK) or red wine vinegar to your mushroom gravy and take it from good to excellent, adding layers of flavour that your palate will thank you for.
Don’t skip protein
I see that with a lot of first-time veggies or people who cater for vegetarians out of the blue- skipping the meat and not substituting it for something else just seems like an easy options but will make for a poor experience. It does not have to be fake meat either! Bean burgers, jackfruit pulled pork or lentil bolognese are all great, affordable* and healthy options.
*(affordable means whatever is local and widely available where you live. In some countries black beans can be hard to find- opt for red kidney beans or brown lentils. If jackfruit is expensive where you shop, skip that recipe and go for a different one, make it work for you!
You are not a rabbit
There is a misconception that all vegetarians ought to love salads- because they’re healthy and green, I suppose? And consists of vegetables? Either way, I’ve not always been a fan and frankly speaking just grow to like them in my 30s so you can definitely stay away from salads and still keep well nourished. Going plant-based doesn’t mean letting go of all your favourite food. You can still enjoy pizza, burgers, sushi and semi-traditional British (or French, etc) recipes. All it takes is few tweaks and you can endeavour the same, familiar flavours.
Healthy means something else to everyone
We’ve all heard that eating vegetables are good for you- and generally that’s a great starting point. You might realise though that certain foods do not spark joy in you. Should you force yourself to eat it, because it’s healthy? Absolutely not! I am a big fan of eating clean and following the cues your body is giving you. If you have a sudden urge to eat a whole pack of almonds, it could be a sign of low magnesium so go for it. I sometimes crave fatty food when I am coming down with cold and believe it or not but giving in to that need saved me few times. There are limitations of course, for example if you crave sugar every day it could be a) a habit, b) sign you need more rest c) potential deficiencies (e.g. iron). On the other hand, if certain vegetables make you think oh noo! you either don’t cook them well (we can change that) or they don’t benefit your body and it’s fine to avoid them (e.g. I live with Hashimoto disease and broccoli triggers flare-ups of my condition). Bottom line, eat well and your body will tell you what nourishes it best.
Well, that’s about all you need to know to start your plant-based journey.
Let’s get cooking!
