I need some non-meat recipe ideas

[theBrokenMuse]

In my household we've gone almost entirely off meat. We still do some chicken from time to time as well as some occasional beef broth, or a little ham if I make split pea soup ect. but mostly we've been getting all our protein from beans and black-eyed peas.

 

I have created some of my own recipes that the kids really like but I am really getting sick of doing the same stuff over and over and the recipes I've found on cooking websites have flopped with my family. I am hoping that someone with knowledge about kids might know a recipe that may be a hit with my ultra picky little ones.

 

So, please share your recipes or ideas if anything comes to mind. I'm not vegan so a little milk and cheese is a-ok but please nothing fried.

[allina]

One of my favorites are bell peppers (I use the red ones) stuffed with quinoa, black beans, spinach and cheese.

 

Take a deeper skillet, put in a can of diced tomatoes, 1 cup of quinoa, and some thawed spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until quinoa is almost done, then add a can of drained black beans. When it's done mix in some cheese (your choice, I use a habanero cheddar). Then, cut 2 bell peppers in half, stuff with mixture, add some cheese on top and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

 

I love this dish so much, it's easy, filling and healthy.

[Cee]

I don't have children, but I act like one so maybe this one will help. Keep in mind that I am like a child so my recipe will be written at a 5th grade level. This might be too basic a recipe, but it has kept me happy for decades.

 

Bean burritos

 

Can of refried beans

Corn or flour tortillas

Tomatoes

Onion

Avocado or guacamole

Cilantro

Lime

Sour cream

 

Heat up the tortillas in a dampened paper towel for about 10-15 seconds in microwave (or till soft)

 

Heat up beans in microwave in one of those tupperware thingies. Beans clean easily off plastic.

 

Put dollop of beans in tortilla and then have your kids choose the fillings. It can be freshly made mild salsa (tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, salt), diced veggies, avocado or guacamole, or Captain Crunch. Whatever they desire. Roll the mixture in a package and put sour cream on the side as a dipping sauce.

[theBrokenMuse]

I don't have children, but I act like one so maybe this one will help. Keep in mind that I am like a child so my recipe will be written at a 5th grade level. This might be too basic a recipe, but it has kept me happy for decades.

 

Bean burritos

 

Can of refried beans

Corn or flour tortillas

Tomatoes

Onion

Avocado or guacamole

Cilantro

Lime

Sour cream

 

Heat up the tortillas in a dampened paper towel for about 10-15 seconds in microwave (or till soft)

 

Heat up beans in microwave in one of those tupperware thingies. Beans clean easily off plastic.

 

Put dollop of beans in tortilla and then have your kids choose the fillings. It can be freshly made mild salsa (tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, salt), diced veggies, avocado or guacamole, or Captain Crunch. Whatever they desire. Roll the mixture in a package and put sour cream on the side as a dipping sauce.

That actually reminds me a little of what I'm making tonight. Modified tacos. I throw black beans, onions, garlic, potatoes, green peppers and a beef bullion cube in a crock pot and cover it (just barley) in water and allow it to cook on low for a few hours. Then I take it out and drain it, mash it, Spice it up, add peas and corn and then oil the bottom of the crock pot a tad and throw it back in and let the flavor set. Then I make white rice, mix it with the bean mixture and use it for the taco filling which I cover with some cheddar, homemade salsa and sour cream.

 

The kids love 'em but that's just an excuse I use to make them.

[PegNosePete]

Quorn vindaloo. Yum!

[denise_xo]

I'm vegetarian but not used to feeding kids. But since kids usually like pizza, how about vegetarian pizza? You could stick whatever they like on it. I usually go for aubergine, tomato, mozzarella, feta, tomato and black olives plus herbs, but that's maybe not a typical child's choice. But you could also get some soya meat substitutes, it comes in versions where it looks almost exactly like minced meat and I've had growns ups be fooled by it.

 

Vegetarian lasagna or moussaka would be something else that might fly with kids, in the lasagna I usually use aubergines instead of meat but you could also do a soya meat substitute.

 

Otherwise, I often make lentil stew, with onions, green or brown lentils, chopped tomatoes, and lots of spinach, spiced up with garlic, garam masala, ground cumin, some ground ginger, chili and salt and pepper. Easy to make and very tasty.

[laRubiaBonita]

veggie lasagna!!! when i make it i do a layer of white beans, and i use broad sliced zuchinni, eggplant, and or squash in place of noodles.

 

i actually made some last night!

[theBrokenMuse]

veggie lasagna!!! when i make it i do a layer of white beans, and i use broad sliced zuchinni, eggplant, and or squash in place of noodles.

 

i actually made some last night!

Sounds interesting. Can I get more details on it, such as do you mash the beans into a paste or anything? Do you use cheese? Is there any type of sauce that you put on it? Do you use anything to grease the pan with? What temp do you put it on and for how long? Thanks

[laRubiaBonita]

ok......

 

i add a little bit of pasta sauce in the pan, to coat it. i like newmans sockarooni sauce the best!

 

then i place a layer of my 'noodles'. on top of that goes a thin layer of ricotta cheese mix (1 large container of rocotta cheese mixed with 2 eggs, 1tsp. basil, 1/2 tsp. oregano, and about 1/4 cp. of milk- mixed), then i add a thin layer of my veggies that i have sauteed in olive oil (brocolli, sliced carrots, mushrooms, green pepper, onions, etc....); next a thin layer of canned white beans- whole, but rinsed; then olives, and spinach, then a layer of mozzerella cheese; a layer of sauce.

then reppeat the layers...... but ending with the sauce and the cheese on top.

 

bake at 350 for about an hour or until nicely browned.

 

i tend to run out of room after the first layering process though, so sometimes i but one of those deep aluminum pans that you can trash later.

you can add or delete veggies according to taste, marinated artichokes are really good with spinach.... and the beans i usually use canelli (sp?) beans, but they are smallish white beans.

and the layering you can play around with how you want it layered.

 

 

i was vegitarian for 6 or so years, and really almost any "meat dish" can be made with out meat and still be successful. but the meatless groud "meat product out there is good for use, especially in chili, spaghetti sauces... even with the lasagna.

 

have fun with it!

Edited November 17, 2010 by laRubiaBonita

[theBrokenMuse]

But you could also get some soya meat substitutes, it comes in versions where it looks almost exactly like minced meat and I've had growns ups be fooled by it.

I've been afraid to even try meat substitutes... When I was younger I tried a soy dog and it made me stomach sick to the point of nearly vomiting. I haven't forgotten about that episode to this day. It makes me wonder which one is the MOST meat-like and maybe I could try a taste of that one. I just have to get up the courage.

[allina]

I just have to get up the courage.

 

It's not a huge deal. There are tons of great imitation products on the market. I would suggest Whole Foods or Trader Joe's to shop for them. Also, Boca makes great stuff and can be found anywhere, even a big chain stores.