I'm done with meat

[happycactus]

I really don't like the taste or texture of meat anymore (mainly red). DC and I could happily live without meat. DH on the other hand is a big meat eater. I cook most meals and have reduced the amount of red meat we're eating. I aim for 2 white meat, 2 fish, 1 veg and 2 red meat meals (usually mined beef).

I'm really struggling with vegetable options. I don't like eggs at all. I find most meat free options are egg based like quiche or omelette. Also starting to go off milk, but not cheese or other dairy products.

I'm not interested in labelling myself as a vegetarian or vegan. I just don't like meat.

Any suggestions for simple family recipes or resources that would be useful? I'm feeling a bit lost.

Cashew milk makes a beautiful hot choc so might be better than almond in tea? Don’t drink tea but use cashew milk for cereal and hot choc.

Lean in 15 veggie has some fab meals. My duh was very meat orientated but we have massively reduced our meat intake.

I'm not vege or vegan but like you I'm cutting down, (although I do like meat, it's to save money and for ethical reasons really)

Some recent vege hits in our house have been:
Mushroom chilli (tastes like meat, almost) if you cook it long and slow.

Big pot of roasted veg, butternut, peppers etc with herbs and served as a salad topping. Really tasty, especially after a day or two in the fridge

Stuffed peppers (I used merchant gourmet French puy lentils- yummy!)

Huevos rancheros? (Eg Mexican baked eggs?) I know you don't like eggs, but you could just eat the ratatouille type bit?

Plus the dc love these new 'sea chicken' portions I 'found' in Tesco they are breaded fish. Neither of them like fish, btw. Oh no. Definitely not.

This is one of my favourite recipes, the lentil filling also works well with pasta as a ‘bolognase’ or I’ve done it in wraps with cheese before:
www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/life-and-living/explore/recipes/mary-berrys-vegetable-and-lentil-cottage-pie-recipe/

I love falafel - have them warm in flatbreads with hummus or tsatziki - easy enough to make your own or I like the cauldron and gosh ones to buy.

I know you said you’re not mad on meat replacements- I’m not massively either but I do really like the cauldron veggie sausages. Meat eating DP likes them too.

We do lots of veggie fajitas - red onion, peppers, mushrooms etc with the fajita spice mix packet, or whatever spices you want to add, throw in a tin of beans in chilli sauce or whatever beans you like, then serve in wraps with some combination of grated cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

Halloumi - there’s lots of recipes I’m sure but we just tend to griddle it and serve with salad or grilled veg (or just eat it directly from the pan I love it so much).

Chickpeas, sweet potatoes and butternut squash all work really well in curries.

I like to roast a load of veg - can be any but generally includes red onion, peppers and butternut squash - with garlic and herbs and a drizzle of balsamic, throw some cherry tomatoes in for the last ten minutes, then stir it through cooked pasta and crumble in a load of feta.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/classic-recipes-minus-meat

I'm loving all these suggestions. These are all meals we would normally eat, so it doesn't sound like hard work.

@makegoodchoices will defo have a look for cashew milk and give it a go.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I still buy meat because I worry about the cost of buying more vegetables. When I look at how much me at we're actually wasting (eaten by the dog) it really doesn't make sense to keep buying it. I love the 'sea chicken'. I tried explaining to DC1 the other day where meat comes from and she didn't believe me

The meat replacement ideas are really helpful. It's way enough to buy some meat and portion it in the freezer for DH but I also want to show him that he doesn't HAVE to eat meat all the time. I'm already writing my shopping list for next week using your suggestions.

I'm veggie and I don't really find giving up meat a problem. I don't eat any soy or quorn except the odd Linda McCartney sausage.

I make a lot in the slow cooker. Veggie lasagna, curry, chilli, stews/hotpots and soups. If you google, lots of recipes come up. I usually have chickpeas, butternut squash, sweet potato etc for chunkiness. I always buy the latter two frozen and ready peeled/chopped cus I'm lazy.

Here are a couple of my current favs:

Slow Cooker Hotpot with Dumplings. I buy aunt Bessie's frozen dumplings, again cus I'm lazy. Serve with mash and cabbage. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/butternutsquashhand46813

Slow Cooker Lasanga. One of my absolute faves. Even better the next day: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-vegetable-lasagne

Sicilian Aubergine Stew - www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetable-recipes/incredible-sicilian-aubergine-stew-with-couscous/

Also love Jamie Oliver's 15 min meal book and his 5 ingredient books - both have good meat, fish and veggie recipes.