A month of vegetarian meals
The Gujaratis just finished their holy month of Shravan. I’m
sure all of them are feeling purer, closer to God and no doubt healthier with
their vegetarian diet. While I was on a vegetarian fast this month, people kept
complementing me on how well I was taking it. Apparently, I hadn’t complained
about my lack of meat the way some people were already not looking forward to
meat-less fast of Purtassi. The reason I did so well was because I had tasty
meals. I think veg meals tend to be bland and tasteless so here’s a list of
meals you can make if you’re just started Purtassi or you’re planning on giving
your body a break from the meat for a while.
1. Vegetarian
pizza
You
can’t go wrong with a crispy pizza base. Just about any topping will taste
nice. If you really need to mask your vegetables, try this for supper.
2. Vegetarian
burgers
You
can find way of making a vegetarian burger patty. Make it out of potatoes,
lentils or even a mix of courgettes and carrots. Put it in a bun with the usual
burger relishes and it’s an ideal dish for your burger fix.
3. Gram
dhall and brinjal curry
I
once ran out of inspiration on what to cook so I called my mother and she gave
me this idea - a delicious curry that I grew up and totally forgot about. I was
so focused on vegetables that I forgot all about the tasty things you can make
with different types of lentils and dried beans.
4. Butter
beans curry
Another
favourite coming out of Durban is beans curry. The dried variety takes a long
time to cook but a can of butter beans is the perfect substitute. Eat this with
roti and you’ll be licking your fingers clean.
5. Dal
makhani
Dal
makhani is one of my go-to vegetarian meals whenever I dine at an Indian
restaurant. I love the creaminess and smoky taste of this dish. I decided to
perfect it at home and made some naan to go with. My guests loved it!
6. Polenta
lasagne
If
you’re looking for a low carb alternative to the usual lasagne sheets, try
substituting the lasagne layers with polenta. I think it’s a pretty acquired
taste but if you’ve got other saucy layers, this will be a hit with the family.
7. Vegetable
lasagne
I
think kids are the ones that miss meat the most. Why not take their favourite
meals and veg it up. For my meat-free lasagne, I made a three bean ragout which
was a perfect substitute for the mince layer.
8. Rice
stir fry
I
like stir fries. I usually add noodles to the dish but sometimes rice is a
really refreshing take on it. Think egg-fried rice and add your ingredients to
a wok. The wok transmits a flavour of smokiness that other pots and pans just
don’t give.
9. Aloo
gobi with peas
Now
that my fast is over, I realised that I did really well by not relying on
potatoes. After all, that is most people’s saving grace when fasting. Potatoes
never taste bad. Add them to a cauliflower and peas curry and you’re got a
delicious Indian curry ready in no time.
10. Bean
enchiladas
Wraps
are a pantry staple in our house. We use it when we run out of bread for lunch
and for Mexican style dinners like this. Make a bean ragout, add it to your
wraps and spoon the ragout all over the dish. Top with cheese and slices of
jalapeno. Mexican supper sorted!
11. Chickpeas
curry
I
ate this curry at a North Indian restaurant but its super easy to make at home
too especially if you’re using the canned chickpeas. It also makes a great
lunch idea if you have any leftovers. Serve it on rice and pack it in a
lunchbox with a spoon for a great sandwich alternative.
12. Mushroom
and spinach mac and cheese
I
seem to always do mac and cheese wrong. It’s either I overcook it or I just
don’t like it. Maybe this version was tastier because I added in vegetables
that I like. As a friend once said, when fasting, mushroom it up!
13. Baked
beans pasta
A
can of baked beans is a staple that I have in my pantry all the time. It’s not
just a breakfast item when whipping up an English breakfast, it can also be
used as a quick pasta sauce. Chuck it in the oven to heat up and dinner is served
effortlessly.
14. Mushrooms
on toast
I
love serving creamy sautéed mushrooms on slices of toasted ciabatta as finger
foods when entertaining. It doesn’t mean you can’t have that for supper. We
just used ordinary whole wheat bread for the toast.
15. Melanzane
alla parmigiana
The
husband does not like aubergines but he could eat this dish as a main. I find
the layers of aubergines and tomato sauce quite rich so I have it with a side
salad when chicken is not an option.
16. Kadhi
kitchri
This
is a gujarati favourite. I don’t really enjoy this dish but that’s why there
are fried potatoes to mask the yogurty taste.
17. Paneer
matter
Another
curry. This time with peas and cubes of paneer cheese in a tomato-based gravy.
It’s pretty easy to make cook up a few naans and that’s definitely what you
should eat this curry with.
18. Falafels
in pitas
Making
falafels is a bit touch and go for my husband and I. Sometimes they are perfect
and other times they crumble up. We tried a baked version that seems to have
held its shape really well. At Woolworths you can pick up tsatsiki, hummus and
mini pita breads. Assemble and enjoy.
19. Butternut
soup topped with croutons
We
usually make soup as a starter but this is a simple meal that doesn’t require
much work or supervision. Pop butternut in the oven, blitz when cooked and season
over a slow simmer. Serve with crunchy croutons for texture.
20. Mushroom
tart
Oh
how I love puff pastry. You can do anything with it. It’s perfect for jam
turnovers or a cheat pot pie. Top sautéed mushrooms, rocket and feta on this
flaky pastry and you’ve got a light weekday meal.
21. Veg
breyani
Durban
style veg breyani is so dear to my heart. Drown it in dhall and you’ll
absolutely love the creamy dish that’s healthy for you with the veggies and
spices.
22. Spaghetti
and quorn meatballs
I
must be honest here. The quorn meatballs did not taste too good – possibly because
I’m not too much of a fan soya. If you like soya, you might enjoy this. Add the
meatballs to a tomato sauce and toss in some cooked spaghetti. I transformed
the meatballs in tomato sauce into lunch by adding it in a French baguette. I
topped it with cheese and chucked it under the grill. Take that Subway!
23. Mushroom
risotto
Mushroom
risotto is not as hard as it seems. Swop out the chicken stock and wine for
vegetable stock and don’t forget to add in lots of parmesan. It takes about an
hour to cook but tucking into a comforting bowl of mushroom risotto is so worth
it.
24. Panzanella
salad
This
salad was a hit at the last braai we had. See…carbs are awesome in anything.
25. Dhall,
rice and aloo fry
A
pauper’s meal but I love it. If you are really craving meat at this stage and
the food doesn’t taste too good, that’s what Indian condiments are for.
26. Quesadillas
with mixed vegetables
I
sometimes take quesadillas for lunch. The crunchy wrap with a delicious layer
of some softened veggies is a nice change when you’re bored on the usual cheese
and tomato sandwich.
27. Toasted
cheese sandwich
I
learnt about this little sandwich from a friend. Spread Nandos sauce on a slice
of bread, add creamed style sweetcorn, cover it with cheese and top it with
another slice of bread. Cook it like you would any grilled cheese sandwich and
you have a delicious mess that is so fun to eat.
28. Baked
beans and soya sausage
A
favourite weekend breakfast is sausage and baked beans. You can serve this with
soya instead and serve it any time of the day. I enjoy it with plain white
bread.
29. Mugh
Another
lentil based dish. This soupy meal goes really well with roti or rice. Ask for
green mugh at any Indian grocery store and half of cup of this moong dhal is
enough for two people.
30. Burritos
Burritos
are awesome because you just need a wrap and some leftovers. I rolled my
burritos in foil so the wrap didn’t fall apart while I ate it.
Good luck! I you’d like me to hit you up with a recipe for any of these, just let me know.
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1 comments
Really appreciate you for sharing these with us, I have just switched to vegetarian diet and always looking for more options, currently getting my meals from Activeats.
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