About 6 months ago, I switched to eating predominantly vegetarian meals. Over time I was starting to understand the environmental, ethical and health-related benefits of eating a more plant-based diet. What I realised when I started was just how delicious and cheap one can be too.
Why Go For More Veggie Meals?
It’s amazing when you get into it realising just how versatile and flavoursome vegetarian recipes can be. Often, when you cut meat from meals, you end up replacing it with something much more interesting, and usually lower in calories.
You do need to make sure you get your healthy fats and protein in when you decrease your meat consumption, so it’s worth taking a look at food labels more than you might have before. I was surprised when I found that things like oats, brocolli and peas are good sources of protein, as well as how much of delicious things like peanut butter and cheese you can have to make up for what you’ve removed in meat calories.
Before we start, I thought i’d share a few of the ingredients I always make sure I have in the house, in order that you don’t have to rush to the shops every time you want to cook up something nice.
Veggie Ingredients To Keep in the House
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Rice
- Assorted Nuts
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Basil
- Garlic
- Chilli, fresh or dried
- Tinned, peeled tomatoes
- Onions
- Aubergines
- Chickpeas
- Rice
- Spices, especially cumin, paprika and garam masala
- Salt and pepper
- Vegetable stock
- Olive Oil
My Top Vegetarian Cooking Ideas
OK, I know that tinned cream of tomato soup is lovely. Believe me, though, this is worth the effort. Creamy, warming and flavoursome, this is perfect as a starter, or as a satisfying weekday meal.
There’s not much better than the nutty, satisfying flavour of homemade hummus. Find out how to make your first batch in under 20 minutes here.
Homemade falafels are so much better than shop-bought ones. These have a huge kick of flavour from a combination of garlic, chickpeas, coriander and jalapeno. A perfect guilty treat.
Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup
A satisfying, creamy soup, as well as a meal packed with nutritional value. Cook up this butternut squash and lentil soup all through the year.
Chickpea and Coconut Milk Curry
A great Saturday night vegetarian dinner. Spicy, creamy and delicious.
Aubergine acts as little croutons in this healthy favourite.
It’s hard to beat a creamy, fresh-tasting pasta sauce.
Jack’s Classic Tomato & Chilli Pasta Sauce
My classic sauce. Spicy, flavourful and warming. Mmm.
So there you have it; a few of my best. Let me know if you need any advice on any of these recipes, just comment on the post itself.
Jack's Food Blog 