following on from fr chicken bun fight - challenge to suggest cruelty free menu & convert the unbelievers

[ErnestTheBavarian]

I actually agreed with the fr argument.

But I seemd to have read several people ask how it can be done.

Maybe you can educate me, as I guess I have got lazy too.

so can any of you ardent fr'ers - show me a cheap, filling fr/cruelty free menu thats realistically achievable for your average family? Esp with fussy arsed kids?

How do you ensure plenty of iron? How do you get kids to eat lentils if they're used to crap meat?

Anyone take up the challenge?

We're veggie.

I buy lots & lots of veg & have two big 'cook offs' a week - usually Sunday & whenever I get a chance mid-week, where I make an enormous pan full of veggie curry/chilli/bolognese. Then freeze in ice-cream tubs.

Through the week, each morning I try to have a vague idea what we're having for dinner - if there's nothing obvious in the fridge & I won't have the time/inclination to shop after work I get out a tub to defrost, then serve with rice/pasta that evening.

We use LOTS of pulses - if I've cooked veg for tea I often use the cooking water to soak some beans then make chilli. & left over cooked veg always gets saved either to make into a quick curry (Pataks sauces) or to include in a frittata.

I make shepherd's (well technically cottage) pie with loads of lentils and veg. I usually get the 2 for £5 mince packs, which is 1kg of meat.
For 1kg of meat I use 500g lentils -green/brown best IMO, but a mix of 50/50 red and puy is good. I've never tried using all red but they might collapse down sufficiently to fool a lentil refuser.
For veg, I use whatever root veg we have around but usually onion, carrot, celery, swede, parsnip, leek etc. At least 750g, chopped fairly finely in the food processor.
Sweat the veg in a covered pan with some oil until soft. Meanwhile you can boil the lentils.
Add the meat to the veg and cook until browned, then add the cooked lentils.
Add whatever flavouring you like- I usually have tomato ketchup, soy sauce, worcester sauce, mixed dried herbs and maybe some onion marmalade.

This makes a vast amount- I use 1/4 for that night's meal then freeze the other 3/4.
One 1/4 feeds 2 adults+ toddler for dinner then leftovers for lunch the next day.