Reducing meat

[foodiemama26]

I am trying to reduce our meat consumption and I’m looking for some fish/vegetarian recipe inspiration! There’s me, DH, DS3 and DS1 and we prefer to cook and eat one evening meal rather than eating separately. Tuna and salmon are not currently popular with the kids but otherwise they’re usually happy to try things, as long as it’s not too spicy. So far I’ve only got quorn bolognaise or jacket potatoes on my list so definitely need some help!

[Queenofmyownheart]

We like sea bass or basa fillets. Marinade in a bit of lemon, olive oil and black pepper. And then make little pouches out of foil and then oven or grill which steams them. Lovely with a bit of rice and veg 😍

[hadwebutworldenoughandtime]

Family meals we all enjoy are:

Homemade pizza with choice of toppings
Quiche (home made)
Omelettes
Various pasta dishes, They particularly like the 'carbonara' made with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, fresh herbs and loads of Parmesan - not too healthy though!
Smoked mackerel on jacket spuds?
Bean and lentil chilli and rice
Veg curry, dhal and rice
Thai style curry and noodles
Veg lasagne
Vegetarian sausage and mash
Home made fish cakes with cheese sauce (made with milk from poaching the fish - frozen fillets) and veg
Vegetarian shepherds pie

[Ricekrispie22]

Enchiladas www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-enchiladas/
Cheese and tomato bread pudding recipes.sainsburys.co.uk/recipes/leftovers/cheese-and-tomato-bread-and-butter-pudding
Falafel burgers www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5605/falafel-burgers
Fish cakes www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2239/ultimate-fish-cakes
Fish pie
Bean burgers
Tagine www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/chickpea-tagine-with-cinnamon-cumin-and-carrots
Fried rice www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/11189/egg-fried-rice-with-prawns-and-peas
Thai satay stir fry www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3219/thai-satay-stirfry

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

I found it’s easy to reduce the quantity of meat by cooking Asian inspired recipes. They use meat as a flavouring, rather than the main ingredient.

I use a few recipes from Marion’s channel on YouTube.

[NumptyMum]

Chickpea Pasta
One of our favourites, found originally on Netmums. Serves 2 adults and 1 or 2 children.

1-2 carrots, chopped
2 sticks celery, chopped
1 crushed clove garlic
2 tomatoes, chopped (or 1/2 can chopped tomatoes)
1 tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 vegetable stock cube
150-200 grams Macaroni
Rosemary to taste
Crushed chilli flakes to taste (I leave out for our kids)

Put a good glug of olive oil in a sauce pan, add the carrots, celery and garlic and gently fry for a couple of minutes until the celery is beginning to be translucent.
Add chickpeas, rosemary, tomato, stock cube, chilli and a 1/2 can of water. Simmer covered until the chickpeas and carrots soften slightly (about 5 minutes), then uncover and let the liquid reduce slightly. Turn off the heat and let it rest.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta to manufacturer's recommendation, then combine. Serve drizzled with some olive oil, pepper and a little grated cheese.

[NumptyMum]

Also Glamorgan Sausages

50g butter
100g leeks, finely sliced (about 1 large one)
Nutmeg, to taste
170 fresh breadcrumbs
2 tsp thyme, finely chopped
2 eggs
175 Caerphilly (or cheddar)
2tbsp milk, (depending)
50g flour (depending)

In a big pan, saute the leeks in the butter.
Meanwhile, mix the breadcrumbs, thyme and grated cheese.
Off the heat, stir the breadcrumb mix into the leeks and butter, stir through well.
Break the eggs into the mixture, stir through and form into sausages.
Bake in the oven at 180C for 20–25 minutes (or freeze uncooked on tray).

[NumptyMum]

We also do lots of hearty soups – think minestrone except not always with tomatoes in – lots of veg, beans for protein, sometimes pasta, sometimes potato (could use rice but our DD doesn't do rice...). That, plus fresh bread and cheese is ace. Lentil soups also good. I do a carrot and coriander soup and chuck in red lentils to bulk it out and add protein.

[NumptyMum]

On the 'meat alternatives' front, the Linda McCartney Hoisin duck is amazing, add to stir fry and I don't think anyone could tell it wasn't meat. Which was a bit offputting to DH who hasn't eaten meat since he was 12... The Quorn nuggets are favourites in this house, along with fish fingers for those who eat meat. Also this was pretty amazing using tofu, but it doesn't make a huge amount – just enough for 2 adults and two pre-teen kids. itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/tofu-bolognese/. I think I'm going to buy her book as this recipe was pretty amazing! I did buy the 'liquid smoke' (which is weird, it really is smoke flavour/smell, in water!) but you could probably get the same effect by using a small amount of smoked paprika. Hope you have fun exploring non-meat meals!

[foodiemama26]

Thank you all so much, these are just the kind of ideas I needed! I’m going to get a meal plan sorted for next week so I’ll keep coming back to this for ideas...fish cakes sound great and Asian inspired meals will be a winner! Thanks again!

[lastqueenofscotland]

I really try to avoid meat substitutes but shroomdogs from Sainsbury’s are wonderful.

Veggie fajitas
Spanakopita
Omelettes
Chilli with lentils
Chickpea curry and rice
Many risottos
Homemade bean burgers and wedges

[foodiemama26]

shroomdogs sound awesome for an easy after work tea, thank you! Risotto would be a good idea too I’ve already got a chicken and mushroom oven baked one that everyone eats so would be straight forward enough to omit the meat. Liquid smoke sounds very interesting!

[NumptyMum]

I got my liquid smoke here, seems to be currently unavailable but maybe it can be found elsewhere? Amazon

[Stargirl84]

www.nigella.com/recipes/sweet-potato-macaroni-cheese

Macaroni cheese made with sweet potato by Nigella - delicious!

[cosycableknit]

www.thefoodietakesflight.com/blog/categories/savoury (these are all vegan recipes, we've had a few and enjoyed them)
www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegetarian-recipes/golden-mozzarella-veggie-couscous (This is a firm favourite in our house! Gousto have a good vegetarian recipe selection and the fish recipes are really good too!)

[foodiemama26]

Some great recipes here, thankyou! This week I’ve got quorn spaghetti bolognaise, quorn and lentil chilli and baked fish parcels on the meal plan. All very simple but I’m taking baby steps! Thank you again for the inspiration, I will keep returning to these as we get more adventurous with our meat free days.

[coffeeagogo]

This is a great list - adding this www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/17354/melanzane-parmigiana - really delicious and filling

[tentative3]

Shakshouka. Waitrose also have a recipe for Italian baked eggs in their monthly recipe cards which is similar but with basil and mozzarella.