Veggie meals for meat eating hubby!

[speedymama]

I would be grateful if you could share the type of veggie meals you cook for someone who loves meat. I am attempting to introduce a couple a meals a week that are not based on meat. One will be fish based but I would like to have one that is completely free of flesh!

DH has a serious nut allergy so things like nut roast are totally out of the question. He does like vegetables so that is not a problem. He is also not very keen on legumes like kidney beans. He once had a vegetable bake at some work function and mentioned that that was quite tasty. I already cook lentil dhal for DTS but DH is not keen on that (probably because the lentils are not very well disguised (lol).

So, any suggestions?

TIA

I don't eat meat but DD and Dh do. I often cook veggie or fish meals for us all though. Veggie casseroles, fish pie, fresh tuna, salads, pasta bakes, pasta sauces, mushroom curry, soups, etc.

My dh likes Goby Aloo - curried potatoes and cauliflower with onions and loads of madras spices (although you could make it milder) I put fresh coriander in it too, it's yummy and very filling.

I do chilli / spag bol with quorn mince which is really tasty, veggie lasagne with all the vegetables you can think of... also big mushrooms are quite 'meaty' - I think I've seen Nigel Slater do a 'steak' sandwich with a big portobello(?) mushroom, looked yummy. You can use lentils as a soup base but then add whatever veggies, sweet potatoes, etc.. you like to give it flavour and disguise the lentils if you want! The good thing about these meals is you can make up a big batch that will last you a few days or can be frozen in small portions.

beans are a good alternative to meat too, and nice and fully. mixed bean hotpot (lot of tomatoes and spices), or black bean lasagne.

Mushroom stroganoff rather than beef, with a variety of mushrooms.

Quorn can also be used for shepherds pie, or make homemade burgers.

really simply veggie bake by layer veg, cheese and cheese sauce.

Veggie pizza, quick, cheesey veg pies.

loads of possibilities with indian food - potato, dahl, cauliflower, veg biriyani, veg korma, paneer (very good alt to meat)

Have you tried the Qourn or RealEat chunks(think thats the make -you can get in waitrose and some health food shops) -in something like a casserole.
We did a veggie "chicken" and mushroom pie recently that worked well -cooked it in a white sauce, popped on a puff pastry lid and served with other veg.
DP is a meat eater and I'm veggie so we have similar dilemmas in our house. We use a lot of beans, lentils, mushrooms, vegi-mince for the "meaty" texture.

I have made Spinach and Ricotta cheese Lasagne for DH and he enjoyed that.

Another option, if reducing meat is the goal, rather than eliminating it, is to use pancetta or similar. I find a tiny amount of cubetti di pancetta (70g, shared among a family of four) adds a lovely meaty taste to a dish, without actually involving much meat at all.

I do some good stuff with lentils, pancetta, tomatoes etc.

Pasta bakes with cheese and vegetables are always popular.

Refried beans are good, and better with tortillas, cheese and guacomole.

Wharfrat, I would be interested in the recipe for your chestnut mushroom lasgne. Please excuse my ignorance but when I see the word nut, I immediately think allergy. I'm sure he would not have an adverse reaction against chestnut mushrooms.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would be interested in a recipe for a pasta bake and a vegetable bake that is guaranteed to please. I tend to batch cook on Thursday/Friday and then freeze so something that can be frozen would be appreciated. That way I don't have to worry about cooking on Mon, Tues &Wed when I work.

I'm not familiar with quorn. What does it taste like and is it OK as a subsitute for mince meat? Also what is the difference between red, brown and puy lentils? Also, how can I use yellow split peas?

Again, please excuse my ignorance. I'm OK with meat dishes but I don't want to put DH off veggie meals by making a really bad one.

TIA

Also what is quorn and vegi mince made from? I prefer to use natural rather synthetic ingredients

Red lentils have no skins. They go mushy a lot easier, and have less fibre. They're better for babies (easier to digest) but otherwise, I'm not much of a fan. I think puy lentils are a type of brown lentils. We mostly use puy lentils in our house.

A veggie pasta bake:

• fry onion
• add random other veg (peppers are good, brocolli, mushrooms, whatever)
• add tinned chopped tomatoes
• simmer for a while.
• cook pasta
• add ricotta or similar to sauce, mix pasta and sauce (here is where you freeze it)
• grate cheddar or similar and put on top
• bake in oven until brown and bubbling

I amake a chuncky veg chilli. served with hunks of bread!

roast lots of red peppers, make a cheese sauce with parmesan in it, cook bag of spinach. combine all 3 and serve with baked potatoes.

I usually do a topping of breadcrumbs, cheese and pinenuts but you could skip that.

Or a brocolli and red pepper curry with rice and naan bread (I cheat and use a pataks paste)

mushroom risotto?

fill canelloni with spinach and cream cheese mix and top with tomato sauce

Speedymama, Qourn is a good subsitute for mince, spaghetti bolognese, cottage pie, chili. But not for burgers ime.

Ime, soya chunks from Sainsbury's is a better bet for things like mince, potato & mushroom curry. Their chunks are more like mince. Chickpea,spinach mushroom curry is also good (and cheap)

Homemade Glamorgan sausages are also good (veggie).

Hello

I use quorn mince in chilli con carne, shepherds pie, spaghetti bolognese etc and meat loving dp can't tell the difference. I also use quorn pieces in 'chicken' curry...

I always trick him with vege sausages, I say "oh I don't know if I'll like these they're meat ones" and he believes me and eats them - tells me he likes them then I tell him they're vegetarian:o

Quorn is great for meat loving dps but is quite processed. If you want natural I would stick with things like mushrooms, cheese, soy sauce etc., ingredients that are quite savoury and have a depth of flavour. Tofu is quite good as it soaks up whatever flavour it is cooked with and can be marinaded in strong flavours like garlic, barbeque type sauce, chilli, or whatever he likes. Vecon stock is a good tasty base for any veggie dish as well.