Please give me all your interesting vegetarian advice!

[sunshinesoph155]

Sorry if there is a better thread for this, but I thought 'food' most appropriate!

I've just resolved to become vegetarian, I haven't eaten meat for a while but now I've decided I won't full stop. Its partly moral and partly for health reasons. Because of this, I don't want to eat loads and loads of cheese or meat substitutes.

Has anyone got any good tips and/or recipes? I'm alright money wise but would like to keep food costs low, and its just me. I know all the basic veggie recipes but would like to branch out and cook some really tasty meals!

Cookbook suggestions also welcome

I also don't like to overload on cheese or meat subs so I prefer recipes which are from veggie friendly cuisines - lots of curries using pulses, tagines and stews with chickpeas, there are so many delicious pasta and risotto dishes etc. Check out Ottolenghi's recipes in the Guardian for some good "naturally" veggie recipes, I also like the Cranks cookbook and make a lot from Leith's vegetable bible. Good luck!

Very best wishes for a vegetarian New Year (and beyond). I have been veggie for about 28 years, nearer vegan for the last year. I think the key piece of advice I wish someone had given me at the start is this: forget about 'meat and two veg' meal concepts if you want an interesting and varied diet that doesn't feature loads of cheese. As Jelly says above, your friends are all the world cuisines that base meals around the vegetables and pulses, my own fave is Indian cookery where you will find hundreds of fabulous dishes none of which contain meat or meat substitutes. For all that, we do use soya mince for the occasional veggie chilli, but you can also use bulgur wheat for that too if you aren't too keen on soy. Good luck and enjoy! 🙂

Just a little placemark here - I'm interested in this too!

DS1 became vegetarian last year. I thought I was quite good about veggie meals but it all got a samey. I would recommend 'River Cottage Veg Every Day' by Hugh FW. I got a copy at a carboot. Also Delia has some good recipes in her books.

Anymore recipe book ideas anyone? Two of my DC want to become veggie at new year. I realise they are kids and may well not stick at it but I don't want to sabotage their attempt by being crap and unsupportive. Particularly as Dd1 is quite serious about it I think.

Placemarking too, I only started to go veggie a few days ago so only finding my feet about it all.

Good bread is important - choose wisely!

Cookbook recommendations - Deliciously Ella.

HFW Veg Every Day is the most glorious recipe book ever written. Everything in it is delicious.

Anna Jones' books are good- a modern way to eat and a modern way too cook (although she does have a questionable obsession with 'popping' pulses). She also has a guardian column if you want to try before you buy.

*to cook

Jack Monroe's blog is great and she often includes veggie/vegan recipes that are frugal and have family appeal.

River Cottage Veg Everyday is good.

Also Madhur Jaffrey has done a vegetarian curry book.

You can substitute things like Quorn into recipes that call for meat.

Cheeses are also a good shout for substitute protein, including Halloumi and Indian Paneer cheese if you can get it.

I like the HFW three good things book. It's not all vege though.
I often borrow cookbooks from the library for ideas. Or search online, browse supermarket magazines and so on.

Pinterest is your friend here!

The New Vegetarian by Alice Hart has had good reviews. I think I'll keep on looking in the library or reserve it.

Can I suggest visiting The UK Vegetarian Society website (you don't have to become a member - free advice) vegsoc.org for lots of tips, recipes, health advice. Good luck for a successful vegetarian lifestyle!

I went veggie in Feb this year because I decided I couldn't ignore intensive farming methods anymore, and whilst I do use a fair amount of quorn chicken pieces and soya mince (to sub in family recipes we don't want to give up) I am trying to track down some more 'pure' veggie meals

This is a really good tagine (you could always leave the falafels out if not wanting to use any pre-made stuff)
www.cauldronfoods.co.uk/recipes/view/69/moroccan-falafels-in-tagine

these veggie 'meatballs' with kidney beans are a recipe I've done once and enjoyed (although I made my regular pasta sauce as this one sounds rather dull)
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/veggie-meatballs-tomato-courgetti

I can't find the link to the pearl barley and butternut squash risotto I do, but this is similar (add parmesan, and mine has thyme instead, plus wine)
www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pearl_barley_butternut_61137

We all love arancini (risotto balls) too, I make a plainish risotto with small cubes of pepper and peas, wrap around a mozzerella pearl and then breadcrumb and shallow fry. Messy to do but delicious and I serve with a pepper-heavy pasta sauce.

Spanish omlette is also a favourite, and various soups.
Good luck!

I really love the website Lisa's Kitchen - lots of Really tasty recipes for all occasions.

Rose Elliott books are good.

Oh and Jamie Oliver's vegetable thai green curry is amazing too.

Definitely HFW Veg Every Day, also check out The Happy Pear book by the Flynn brothers. If you are near Bath I recommend Demuth's cookery school, expensive but you'll learn a lot. Her blog has some great recipes too.

I've been veggie for about 6 months. I agree with what others are saying, curries are great, can add whatever veg you have, chickpeas and lentils are fab in them too. Love making simple pasta sauces, I bought a really cheap basil plant from Sainsbury's ages ago so I basically finely chop half an onion, fry with garlic, can of chopped tomatoes, add basil near the end, salt and pepper to taste and it's delicious.

I do loads of vegetable soups and stews with lentils in.

Mexican food is also great! For tea tonight I used one of the El Paso soft taco kits. Chopped an onion, 1 red, green and yellow pepper, can of red kidney beans and the seasoning and it was done. Super simple. Good luck! Will be watching now for other people ideas.

Sorry I'll also add the happy pear book that someone mentioned have a YouTube channel with loads of video recipe ideas on. They're also really nice to look at and their Irish accents.... omg

Good luck. I made the transition many years ago and haven't gone back to the 'dark side'! I like Veggiestan and various other Greek and Middle Eastern cookbooks and have just ordered a copy of Fresh India.

I have a veggie blog if you want to take a look. Mainly basic, family meals, but some more adventurous recipes too.