Vegetarians. There doesn't seem to be a food/drink forum, so . .

LadyDee

To cut down on cheese due to a high cholesterol reading, (I found vegetarian cheese vile!) I've been making my own mushroom pate to ring the changes - it's absolutely delicious - quite a few recipes online.

kboss2010

Ladyshopper wrote: »

No they don't. Pescatarians eat fish.

Unfortunately this is a common misconception, not helped by people who say "I'm vegetarian but eat fish" or even worse "im vegetarian but eat chicken!"

Drives me mad as you can probably tell!

I can understand why some people don't say pescatarian because a lot of people don't know what that means but to say you're a vegetarian who eats chicken is absurd to me! I've met a few in my time too and I always want to respond with 'I don't think that word means what you think that means!' Lol

FopMistress

I've heard worse. I was asked once if I ate pork because I was vegetarian. I take the easy way of being vegetarian in that I still eat eggs and dairy products. If you're vegan you don't eat these or use anything animal based including honey. Pescatarians only eat fish. Some people even choose to have meat free days. I have a few friends who are vegan and its something I am investigating. I gave up meat 4 years ago for ethical reasons and also I started having digestion problems with red meat in that it would sit in my stomach and make me feel bloated and slightly unwell. Its personally one of the best decisions I've made. I feel better and think more carefully about what I eat.

The only meat product I miss terribly being Scottish is square sausage. I have tweeted Macsweens who do brilliant veggie haggis and they told me it's something they're developing

NewShadow

Hi guys,

I didn't want to make a new thread, but not to thread steal - I'm looking at trying to be meat free three or four days a week - both for a health and money boost.

Trouble is I'm stumbling against two (common) problems:

1. A meal doesn't feel like a meal - somethings missing

2. It only seems like a meal if I dump half a block of cheese on top...

I make a really nice lasagne with mushrooms and aubergines (and lots of cheese), epic mushroom, pepper (and cheese)omelettes, and an awesome chilli with TVP (and a sprinkle of cheese on top...maybe with nachos). Unfortunately I can't eat the same things every week.

I've tried a load of recipes, and I'm really trying not to just give up, so I was wondering if you could suggest your favourite meals that aren't heavy on cheese and ideally are quick/easy/transportable for lunch at work?

Oh, and I'm allergic to nuts.

Thank you kindly (and sorry for the hijack) :A

alec_eiffel

FopMistress wrote: »

The only meat product I miss terribly being Scottish is square sausage. I have tweeted Macsweens who do brilliant veggie haggis and they told me it's something they're developing

That would be very good news, OH loves their haggis, having one this week as it happens, the sausage would be really interesting to try. We don't eat meat substitutes really but the haggis has a good flavour.

mjm3346

FopMistress wrote: »

. You will have to check labels especially for gelatin as some products use beef or pork gelatin so be careful.

Gelatin catches out lots of people who don't realise it is in many products that otherwise would be meat free, including sweets, deserts, tablets/capsules, etc.

VfM4meplse

Ladyshopper wrote: »

people who say "I'm vegetarian but eat fish" or even worse "im vegetarian but eat chicken!"

Drives me mad as you can probably tell!

No worse than being asked this by an event organiser, and then being informed by the same that some vegetarians eat chicken, as I have experienced in the past.

Linda32 wrote: »

So sorry I stand corrected. I truly thought that was the case.

Perhaps they did too. Telling someone with an established diet what this allows and denies them (as in my previous example) is just plain arrogant IMO. Some of us just do not see flesh as foodstuff, its off our radar.

thriftwizard

NewShadow wrote: »

I've tried a load of recipes, and I'm really trying not to just give up, so I was wondering if you could suggest your favourite meals that aren't heavy on cheese and ideally are quick/easy/transportable for lunch at work?

Oh, and I'm allergic to nuts.

Thank you kindly (and sorry for the hijack) :A

One of my pescatarian daughter's favourites is chick pea burgers (no nuts, no cheese) as follows:

I tin chick peas
An onion, chopped fine
Pinch of salt
Tsp Moroccan spice - adjust to taste
Tsp dried coriander leaves, or Tbsp chopped fresh
1 egg
(optional - tomato puree - gives a more burger-like colour)
Oatmeal
Flour of choice - for your hands!
Tbsp oil of your choice - for frying

Open the tin, drain & mash well in a bowl. Mix in the chopped onion, salt, spice, coriander leaves , tomato puree if using (we usually don't) & egg. It'll be fairly sloppy, so mix in oatmeal until it's dry enough to form & hold shapes. Flour your hands, and scoop up a handful; roll it into a ball, then flatten it. Repeat until you have about 8 burgers & the mixture's all gone. Heat oil until a tiny bit dropped in forms bubbles, then fry the burgers, about 3-4 mins on each side until golden. Best eaten swiftly for maximum deliciousness, but they will keep & hold together for lunch boxes or future reference.

Very good with potato wedges & salad...

LameWolf

mjm3346 wrote: »

Gelatin catches out lots of people who don't realise it is in many products that otherwise would be meat free, including sweets, deserts, tablets/capsules, etc.

I always scrutinise the ingredients list of anything that doesn't declare itself "suitable for vegetarians" on the label. And I finally got my GP trained not to prescribe capsules for me. You can get vegegel capsules for some supplements these days, but again, it's a question of always reading the label before purchasing. Gelatin upsets my stomach something rotten!:(

Smoosh

I use Quorn as a replacement for meat in the same quantities and pretty much cook it exactly the same. Pretty much all of my meals are based on recipes that contain meat, with Quorn substituted because I feel it provides a more balanced meal whereas a lot of vegetarian recipes rely heavily on cheese or vegetables (both of which I love but don't really consider an adequate replacement for meat!).