by Kristen Thorpe
There are often times when I don’t feeling like making a dinner based on a meat entree. It’s possible that I’m losing my taste for meat. Or I also think more about what’s involved in getting the meat I see in my grocery store from the animal to the shelf. I wonder if I would eat any meat if I had to go out and hunt it down myself. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my chicken cutlets or the occasional grilled cheeseburger forever. Most of all I do think a more vegetarian diet has a lot of health benefits worth considering.
It’s so easy to find great vegetarian recipes. There are so many excellent cookbooks available plus a ton of information on the web. I think the first hurdle is just getting out of the mindset of a meat-centered meal. It’s a matter of overcoming some our childhood rituals of meals made of meat and potatoes.
So if not meat, then what? One of the most popular meat substitutes is tofu. Tofu is a very versatile food – you can grill, eat it cold, and make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are loads of great recipes with tofu including ravioli, grilled sandwiches, salads, desserts, and much more.
Another favorite is eggplant. This natural food is delicious, especially when served as a baked casserole. It’s a simple dish really – simply slice up a fresh eggplant, bread the slices, and then pan fry in a nonstick pan. You then take the slices and place them on a layer of sauce in a large casserole dish or pan. Add more sauce, layer again, and then top off with shredded cheese.
While we’re on the subject of lasagna, pasta always makes a great vegetarian meal. You can make meat-less lasagna for example. Or you can make a simple pasta dish topped with any of your favorite red or white sauces and serve it with a fresh green salad and a glass of wine for a complete and wonderful meal.
Of course let’s not forget pizza. This all-time favorite can be prepared any number of ways and will surely please everyone in your family. You can top half the pie with pineapple and fresh cubed pepper pieces for the vegetarian and the other side with extra cheese and pepperoni for the person who still loves meat in their meals.
Have fun trying this new way of eating. You don’t have to try it all at once but in small steps if you’d like. Try experimenting with tofu, or just research some of the great recipes available for something that sounds like a dish you’d enjoy. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to eat less meat, even if you’d don’t give it up entirely.
Tags: baked casserole, breakfast lunch, casserole dish, cheeseburger, chicken cutlets, glass of wine, green salad, grilled sandwiches, meat and potatoes, meat substitutes, natural food, nonstick pan, pan fry, pasta dish, shredded cheese, vegetarian diet, vegetarian meal, vegetarian recipes, versatile food, white sauces
