Meat eaters anonymous, help me find some meat free inspiration!

[Orangelover]

Basically me and DH are raging carnivores. I LOVE cooking, and even my mon-fri basic quick dinners all involve meat or fish.

I want to try really hard in the new year to try and reduce our meat eating, for both the planet and our health so going to aim for a couple of dishes a week meat free. My usual go-tos for this are veggie chilli, curries and such but looking for some other nice vegetarian dinner inspiration!

Does anyone else find reducing their meat consumption hard? All our friends are pretty much almost vegetarian but I just love the smell, taste and texture of meaty dishes but I feel like saying that out loud these days is almost sinful! Maybe that's because I've got a fair few vegan friends and I respectfully accept their views but I'm a long way from that yet! Just looking to start with making some sensible meat free adaptations

When I gave up meat, I found that going cold turkey put an end to the meat cravings quicker than gradually reducing meat consumption (my carnivorous DH’s approach!). Also I found lentil, chickpea and bean based dishes a lot more satisfying than those which only had egg or cheese as the protein.
I was a bit ‘meh’ about tofu at first, but when it’s done well, it’s delicious and satisfying. Crispy chilli tofu stir fry is my favourite.

Mexican bean burgers
Veggie enchiladas
Chickpea crumble
Lentil ragu
Falafel
Meatballs
Casserole and dumplings
Thai curry

This was a good thread earlier this week 😊

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/foodandd_recipes/4438004-your-go-to-meat-free-vegetarian-meals

So as a meat eater you'll probably not like a lot of meat substitutes so I'd avoid them.

I'd look at meals that naturally don't involve meat for example quiches and cheese dishes. Indian food is fantastic for this eg lentil dahls and chickpea curry's

It's worth trying all sorts of veg prepped in different ways. For example roasted veg is much nicer than boiled veg for me so a load of roasted pepper, sweet potato, butternut squash and courgette served with pasta is perfect for me.
Roasted cauliflower is a different taste compared to normal cauliflower

Roasted veg lasagne rather than meat lasagne works well

What meals do you usually eat?

We eat lots of chilli, bolognaise, curries - easy one pot things that I can make the night before and heat up if we're in at different times. Also baked white fish with roasted vegetables, salmon stir fry, Cajun or jerk chicken with rice and vegetables, fajitas. Cottage pie is a fave, as are slow cooked stews.

I think I just need to get out of the mentality that there's something missing without meat

I completely understand how you feel! We have hugely cut down our meat consumption over the last few years but it's still my favourite aspect of most meals. We lowed the amount we use and spread it farther - the magical mn chicken for instance- the trick to it is not having much meat per meal. Half a breast each is now our standard portion, and then I use a leg in a risotto for four and another leg in chicken and vegetable pie. For us it's much easier. I do the same with beef / lamb etc.
I also find a small amount of fried chorizo or bacon sprinkled on dhs jacket potato/ risotto/ pasta/ salad sates his "meat makes the meal mindset". It's not perfect but his eating 15g of chorizo is better than the steak/ 3 sausages he'd actually choose right?
The secondary benefit for me has been weight loss and a huge increase in my vegetable consumption!