Vegetarian food for teenage boys

[shreddies]

I really want to eat less meat this year,

My oldest two will be fine with that. My youngest would live on sausages alone if he could.

What are your best family veggie recipes?

Do they like all vegetables? Makes a big difference!

One of my favourites is baked, layered aubergines and courgettes, with a garlicky tomato sauce and sliced mozzarella between the layers.

Both aubergines and courgettes have to be pre-cooked, ideally griddled so you get the extra flavour from the charring.

Grated parmesan and more mozzarella on the top, which browns in the oven.

Just buy vegan meat alternatives- moving mountains burgers are excellent, and heck sausages

... and massively over-processed!

Mine love bean chilli (mixed beans) with rice and loads of salsa/guacamole etc. Variations also popular - burritos/nachos/enchiladas.

Lasagne always a winner - make filling with red lentil sauce and whatever veg.

Macaroni cheese, again with added butter beans or similar for ballast.

Richmond vegan sausages are very popular- they go great in a stew or as a sausage and mash dinner.

Linda McCartney mozzarella quarter pounders are the best burgers.

@BIWI

Do they like all vegetables? Makes a big difference!

One of my favourites is baked, layered aubergines and courgettes, with a garlicky tomato sauce and sliced mozzarella between the layers.

Both aubergines and courgettes have to be pre-cooked, ideally griddled so you get the extra flavour from the charring.

Grated parmesan and more mozzarella on the top, which browns in the oven.

Sadly not. Youngest wouldn't touch an aubergine. It's a massive pita.

I agree that that's the way to go though, don't want to do much replacement meat other than the odd veggie burger.

Ooh I've just remembered that they do all like falafel. So that's something.

And macaroni cheese is a good idea

We do lots of risottos with random veg we have in the fridge. Also like Richmond Veggie Sausages in casseroles/ pasta bakes etc. Mexican food such as burritos and fajitas are always fun to make too, there’s so much stuff in them anyway that you don’t really miss the meat.

Jackfruit is also amazing, we make Pulled Jackfruit sandwiches with stuffing, apple sauce and carrots. Also really nice in a bean chilli or a biryani.

Sausage casserole made with Fry's hotdog sausages

Agree with PP that Richmond meat-free sausages are good - can do soz and mash, soz and chips, or a toad in the hole

Yes to veggie chilli

Lots of curries/stir fries - try paneer in a curry or smoked tofu in a stir fry

Jesus H. Being a vegetarian is not about not eating meat and eating more veg. Thinking that way ends up with malnutrition- especially for those like teenagers who need masses of protein as their muscles grow.

Where will you get iron, protein. Zink, vits A and B from? Food is not about morals but about curling your and your sons bodies.

Please please ensure you understand what you are doing and ensure you eat a healthy veg diet.

I've been a vegetarian for 5 years, my SO for 35 years. You can easily become anaemic and protein deficient.

Cheese and tomato bread pudding
Halloumi burgers
Mexican bean burgers
Enchiladas
Egg fried rice
Bean stew and dumplings
Shepherd’s pie
Paneer masala curry
Sausage casserole
Lasagne

Why does he have to have vegetarian if you want to eat less meat? Can’t you change your diet without changing his?

@awesomekilick

Jesus H. Being a vegetarian is not about not eating meat and eating more veg. Thinking that way ends up with malnutrition- especially for those like teenagers who need masses of protein as their muscles grow.

Where will you get iron, protein. Zink, vits A and B from? Food is not about morals but about curling your and your sons bodies.

Please please ensure you understand what you are doing and ensure you eat a healthy veg diet.

I've been a vegetarian for 5 years, my SO for 35 years. You can easily become anaemic and protein deficient.

From dairy, eggs and realistically the odd bit of meat? They will also eat veggie burgers and sausages, but I don't want to just replace meat with them and not find other alternatives.

I am tired of buying supermarket chicken and can't afford organic. I don't feel good about the impact of all the beef that we get through.

Shakshuka
Quiche
Pasta arabiata
Fritata
There are lots of great veggie burger recipes about, both veg and bean based.
Stuffed peppers/mushrooms.
Pasta bake containing red onions, peppers, chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, Italian herbs (dried is fine), good glug of balsamic vinegar. Top with a mix of bread crumbs cheddar and mozzarella.

Tesco have lots of vegetarian recipes on their website, worth a look.
realfood.tesco.com/recipes/shiitake-and-lentil-cottage-pie-with-cauliflower-mash.html

realfood.tesco.com/search.html?DietaryOption=Vegetarian

I find the best way to eat vegetarian is generally to eat food that’s vegetarian in the first place. Things like curries, bean chilli, stir fried noodles, rice dishes, risotto, pasta. I often use Gousto for my meal inspiration to see what they are selling in their vegetarian range and use that as a starting point.

We have a teen boy here. He does like Gobi Aloo with rice and naan but prefers it if o add a can of chickpeas towards the end.