Kid-friendly Meatless Mondays?
NPR had a story today about Meatless Mondays - the idea that it might help our health, and our planet, to find ways to painlessly, ideally deliciously cut back on our ever-rising meat consumption. I like the idea - it helps solidify and make tractable a goal we've had for awhile - and today we actually went meatless. Breakfast and lunch were easy enough, but dinner, as usual, gave me pause.
Do you have any fast, yummy, kid-friendly, carnivore-friendly (meaning those of us not yet vegetarian), limited cooking ability suggestions for going meat-free on a weeknight? Links to (or in-text) recipes especially welcome.
4 Answers
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Eggplant parmesan: slice eggplant, coat in olive oil, cover in bread crumbs then spaghetti sauce and cheese. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes (or so?).
I find my kids really enjoy firm tofu in stir fries. I marinate it a bit (soy sauce, ginger & garlic is a great basic), cook up whatever veggies I've got, add the tofu - and serve with rice. They're the fastest dinners!
I love this idea of meatless Mondays, and would like to incorporate it more. I'm much more veggie leaning than my husband, but my son keeps asking questions like "the turkey gave this to us, right?" - sometimes I wonder if he's on the road to vegetarianism.
I'd would also look up "almost vegetarian". I have a cookbook entitled such, so I imagine there's plenty out there to help us all go more toward that direction.
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Well, I've been going with less meat not by choice, but mostly because my toddler doesn't want to eat meat these days. So I've been making a lot of tofu soups (and often I'll add an egg and swril it into the soup to add some protein -- I wasn't sure if you were adding eggs to the "meat" category). I'll also add in some rice, noodles, or pasta to make it a little more filling. I don't have canned recipes -- just throw stuff together (for example, eggs, tomato, and tofu in some sort of a basic soup base).
Other options include ravioli (there's a fish-shaped cheese ravioli at Costco that's been a hit, and there are a lot of veggie only options that are pretty good), pasta salads, and lasagna (not hard to throw together, and then it's just the baking time!).
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Ideas: meatless spagetti ( marinara sauce) ; bean and rice burritos with cheese -- or tacos or enchiladas with out meat ; rice with veggies ( and tofu if you want it ); mac n' cheese; meatless pizza; meatless Indian food; Recipes should not be needed for these ideas -- except for the Indian food idea.
I'm on a roll here. Don't forget the quiche ( there are some decent frozen ones to buy) ; fritatta, and polenta ( pre made polenta in can be purchased as well). Saute or bake polenta slices , top with cheese and marinara sauce, and voila! a wonderful easy meal is born.
- Suzanne, Aug 14, 2010
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Quiche: super easy, and can be made ahead and kept in the frig.
Buy a premade piecrust, I recomend a deep-dish style.
Pre-heat oven to 325.
Fill pie crust about 3/4 of the way with your choice of fillings. I suggest mainly veggies, perhaps adding a "meat" substitute and/or some cheese. Chop up the veggies of your choice. Fresh is great; if you use frozen, microwave or otherwise defrost and wring out in a dish towel to remove excess moisture. I personally use some combination of spinach, squash, peppers, broccoli, carrots, leeks, and cherry tomatoes; plus usually Morningstar's meal starters and some parmesan.
Fill pie crust the rest of the way with egg, milk and spice mixture (leaving just enough room not to spill when you put it in the oven.) It should be about 4 parts egg to 1 part milk. Spice to taste. Either frappe in blender or use a hand whisk to make a bit fluffy. I tend to spice with 2 tsp nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsp white pepper, 1/2 black pepper, and a dash of paprika.
Put filled pie crust onto cookie tray (mostly so that it is easier to move) and into the oven for 45 minutes. Check to make sure your quiche is done, don't be surpriesed if you have to leave it in a little longer. You can either jiggle the whole thing gently, the center should NOT slosh or move anymore than the rest of the quiche; or you can gently tap the center of the quiche it should feel set and slightly springy.
When quiche is done, remove from oven and let cool. Either slice and serve or cover and put in your refrigerator or freezer to be reheated when you need it.
This is a throw it together dish; change the fillings, change the spices, try different pie crusts, have fun and eat the things You like.
Sounds yummy! Easy too. Thanks!
- andrea, Aug 19, 2010
I forgot to mention the mighty potato. A simple baked potato can be " dressed up" with many toppings.... try broccoli and cheese, or meatless chili, or spagetti sauce and cheese, or sauteed mushrooms -- or any other topping that appeals to you-- and don't forget the classic butter or sour cream.
Scallopped potatoes, gratineed potatoes, or mashed potatoes are choices too. Potatoes can be combined with a salad or another veggie and be a quite hearty meal.
- Suzanne, Aug 14, 2010