The latest hardest ever challenge!!!

sleepybookworm7

Plum_Pie wrote: »

Tofu is atleast 1/3 the price in Asian (Chinese etc) supermarkets than the 'Cauldron' or similar version. I find it worthwhile making a trip.

If you eat dairy, Holland and Barrett sell big jars of whey protein in the body building section (!) I buy the vanilla flavour (it has almost no flavour and no sugar!) and use it in small amounts to add to soups and smoothies to lower their GI. When it's on sale, it's £5 for a big jar. Half a scoop has as much protein as an egg. I am aware than some people who have severe allergies are allergic to this so you'll have to check with your kid's doc.

Brown rice is higher in protein than white. It also has some iron it it. (Probably you know this!)

Indian grocers and supermarkets in multi-ethnic areas sell sacks of dry soy mince very cheaply. You rehydrate with stock or water and then use as you would meat mince. (Bolognese, chilli, stew etc.) It has no flavour and store for a long time.

HTH

So, could i add this whey protein to savoury dishes as well?

sleepybookworm7

Curv wrote: »

I don't mean to cause offence, but is it sensible to enforce strict vegetarianism on children, given all the foods they can't eat due to allergies? Surely under the circumstances it would be better to relax the rules in order to ensure they get the nutrition the need?

My children are getting the nutrition they need - I have seen a dietician about this - I just want wondered if there were any dishes I could make that I hadn't thought of.

In fact, I know plenty of children with much more restricted diets than my two, due to the fact that they are very fussy eaters. I also think there is an assumption becuase we are vegetarian they are 'missing out', when in fact I am probably more aware of what they eat then most and go to great lengths to give them balanced meals.

Curv

sleepybookworm7 wrote: »

You aren't causing offence, and this isn't the first time I've heard this! My children are getting the nutrition they need - I have seen a dietician about this - I just want wondered if there were any dishes I could make that I hadn't thought of.

In fact, I know plenty of children with much more restricted diets than my two, due to the fact that they are very fussy eaters. I also think there is an assumption becuase we are vegetarian they are 'missing out', when in fact I am probably more aware of what they eat then most.

I apologise for being so tediously predictable...

Seriously - I'm glad I didn't upset you - I don't know tons about vegetarianism so can't help with the practical suggestions but I didn't mean to be flippant either. However, there's loads of info on this thread and I've learnt quite a bit already, so thanks :T

And I know what you mean about fussy eaters - I know someone whose children will 'only eat chicken nuggets and chocolate' :rolleyes:

thriftlady_2

I'm sure you know about the idea of complementary proteins -when wholegrains and milk products are combined they make a complete protein (and the same for wholegrains and pulses). So, meals which combine milk/cheese/yogurt with a grain are what you need

What about a cheese and veggie pie -veg in cheese sauce with pastry made with wholemeal flour or topped with mash ?

Get some pot barley from a health food shop and use it to make a cheaper version of risotto- orzotto. Cook in veg stock and add veg and lots of cheese. You don't need to stand over it and stir or add the liquid gradually

Suet pudding -one for winter. Make suet pastry with veggie suet and fill with root veg and mushrooms or root veg and cheese. Here you go, just found my recipe (a wartime favourite).

Egg fried rice.

Halloumi kebabs, or just fry it in slices and serve with a grain plus salad (it's what we had for supper last Saturday)

I've run out of ideas but I've just been looking at the vegetarian society's recipe index and there are some likely looking recipes on there even if you can't use any of the pulse/nut ones.

sleepybookworm7

Thanks loads Thriftlady, lots to go on there.

With the orzotto do I just add all the ingredients at once and leave to cook (keeping an eye on it, of course).

thriftlady_2

sleepybookworm7 wrote: »

Thanks loads Thriftlady, lots to go on there.

With the orzotto do I just add all the ingredients at once and leave to cook (keeping an eye on it, of course).

Just checked my book (The Pauper's Cookbook by Jocasta Innes) and she says to add the stock in thirds, but leave it to simmer and absorb each third without stirrring. She says to fry onion and garlic first then add the barley and any other additions.

This is a good cheap main dish too. Add a fried egg or melt cheese on top for protein.

Plum_Pie

Gosh darn, thanks Thriftlady - I have leftover courgette, aubergine and tomato stew in the fridge, I'm going to griddle some halloumi to have with it and that will be tonight's dinner.

Sleepybookworm, if you're not acquainted with halloumi, I suggest you google for some other recipes. It's like a cross between mozzarella and feta. I have also put it in the blender and used it as a binding agent in 'veggie burger'-type things. You can also cook it on barbecues which is great fun for kids.

The H&B own brand vanilla protein BY ITSELF has a very mild flavour and a slightly odd aftertaste - I eat it mixed with other things and I tend to use lots of herbs and spices in my cooking! I do add it to savoury foods, in quite small amounts (less than 1 x 20g scoop per portion). If you're really skint, I would give it a miss as I wouldn't want you to waste a fiver if you don't like it!

thriftlady_2

Been reading my cookbooks and this one in particular turned up some good ideas.

Cheese pies -little pasties filled with feta, ricotta and egg
Fried mozzarella sandwiches -egg and breadcrumb them then fry.
Fried risotto balls -use leftover risotto and put a cube of cheese in the middle
Tomato lasagne -like the meat one but without the meat;)
penne with aubergine, ricotta and tomato
spaghetti with egg and toasted crumbs
pasta with courgette, mint and feta
egg with bread and butter -a lunch/breakfast for kids -tear a slice of buttered bread into pieces and crack a very softly boiled egg over.
eggs cooked with a tomato sauce (peppers are good with this)
gnocchi and cheese

Other ideas I had

samosas
quiches -aspargus, courgette, pepper and sweetcorn, mushroom, broccoli, cauli and stilton
spanakopitta -spinach, feta, egg and filo pastry
veg croquettes -cooked chopped veg mixed with mash and egg + breadcrumbed then baked
baked spuds with veg in a cheesey sauce
creamed spinach with a poached egg
veg and rice gratin -rice, cooked veg and cheese sauce
pasta carbonara with mushroom instead of ham
egg and chips cooked in the oven

zarazara

asparagus ,roasted red onion and cheddar cheese filo pastry wraps served with salad or jacket pots.

Emmy_L

why not make Delias pancake canneloni?
make up a batch of pancakes
At the end of each pancake,add a generous amount of your usual bolognaise sauce (with veggies in it,or your mince substitute) and roll them,tucking in the ends so the filling doesnt fall out.
Place in a heatproof dish,suitable for the oven (one of the oblong type ones)
Make up a basic white sauce,adding some extra flavours like mustard,or mixed spice (which is v.good btw!).Pour over the filled pancakes,top with cheese and bake in oven for 30-40 mins depending on your oven
Mine love this with crusty bread and a generous salad