Family vegetarian meals that don't contain aubergine, sweet potato, squash, spice, avocado, yoghurt, cream, cheese, fruit

[Spirinata]

I'm trying to get us eating a huge amount less meat and fish (save money, ethical issues etc) but DH is so fussy.

I know I shouldn't pander to it but id like to convince him he can enjoy vegetarian food first and then tackle everything else.

DCs don't love spicy food or pulses but am doing some meals with pulses and they are dealing with it. But I'd like to find some that don't rely on pulses or a tomato sauce. Been making so many tomato based things!

Also no pasta as have recipes coming out of my ears for that.

Have been doing a lot of mushroom stuff that has been going down well.

Any ideas? Don't ask for much do I!?

Ooh yes I used to do little pies like that too. Good thinking I dhdll resurrect.

Ah, Remus is here - it was her tofu with chinese five spice pancakes that I tried to describe upthread.

Hi Nydj.

I can't claim the credit, I'm afraid. I stole the idea from a Waitrose recipe. It is SUCH a good idea, too! :)

Spic = spice btw, in my message below.

I know you did, Remus, you said so in the thread I saw it on but I still credit you with it because it was you that I got the recipe from .

We do it a lot, with Thai veggie curry. What I keep meaning to try though, and haven't yet got around to, is some sort of super-duper club sandwich with the crispy tofu, sweet chilli sauce, crunchy leaves etc. Not sure which bread would work best for it though.

I suggest you experiment with different types of bread and then come and come back with the results.

Maybe a baguette? Sounds weird maybe but works for bahn mi which is a similar vibe.

Definitely gonna try some of these recipes. Great thread. I do eat fish but want to cut down to once a week so need more ideas.

I need more fish ideas too beyond fish cakes and fish pie etc. but not whole slabs, ie ways to keep it cheap!

Ooh yes re baguette. Perfect! Okay - will deffo give it a try.

Vegetable Tarte Tatin ( delia does e Red Onion Tarte tatin, I just use a mix of veg that caremelises)

Arancini make a nice change from pasta. You can make them without cheese, or swap the cheese for something acceptable! Not sure if anyone has suggested a veggie tagine? I know you said no spice, but you could make it without the chilli and use which ever veg the family will eat.

I do fish pie mix with a can of chopped tomatoes and some dill or parsley and a little bit of onion and garlic served with rice. Sometimes put peas in too and sometimes serve with pasta.

I also get frozen fish on offer so I always have some in the freezer. Frozen fish is better than 'fresh' in most cases.

Fish curry

A bit like a spicy version of what snowman has described.

buildyourownsnowman tried the lwntil ragu with a few tweaks. I really liked it, family a bit meh but still ate it!

Oh good! It's pretty easy to make and freezes well. It's an after school dinner so meh shouldn't be a problem! I'd put it in the same category as a basic bolognese

It's better with Parmesan

I make Tom yum soup with crayfish and prawns or scallops weekly but the spice level is off the scale so probably won't pass the spice test.

I'm making the tofu pancakes tonight. Mine in lettuce leaves and everyone else's in pancakes.

I put fish in my adapted minestrone soup sometimes and its delicious. Would be good with mash on top if you use less stock.

What about vegetarian tarts? You can even use ready rolled pastry and they are so quick and easy. There are loads you can do:
Tomato and courgette
Roasted vegetables-pepper, red onion etc
Asparagus, mozarella and pesto
Mushroom and spinach

Other easy suggestions:
Couscous stuffed peppers
Quiches
Mini pitta bread pizzas
Bean burritos
Egg noodle and oriental veg stir fry
Falafel wraps
Chick pea patties or burgers
Tofu kebabs

Tarts a great idea but don't they need a bit of cheese etc to stop being dry?

I made a version of this vegetable stew with dumplings last week. (No leek, chucked in some red cabbage and half a tin of tomatoes I wanted to use up). It was excellent!

www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/vegetable-stew-with-herb-dumplings/

So the week was a failure.

DH while v appreciative of me cooking very clearly has felt really hard done by having not much meat and feeling really sorry for himself.

I hate it as I feel so guilty. He works hard does lots and home etc and doesn't even get the pleasure of enjoying his supper.

Has he tried the Quorn fillets? My meat eating dh likes them in typical 'chicken' dishes. They are often on offer too.

Was there anything in the week's menu that your DH did like that you can use as a starting point to build future cooking plans on?