subject: The Delights of Vegetarian Cooking [print this page] The Delights of Vegetarian Cooking The Delights of Vegetarian Cooking
Similar to a large amount vegetarians I'm continually asked how do I get on with my vegetarian cooking as I dont supply meat for the meal. As a rule meat eaters don't realise that the piece of meat on the plate is essentially rather minor (or should be) in relationship with the other ingredients that takes up the remainder of the space.
Im speaking on the subject of home-cooked meals, not fast food or swanky restaurant that offers a component of meat as a central ingredient. Most of the homes will cook your meal & will present vegetables along with the slice of red or white meat. Similar, in a stew style dish, there will be a lot of vegetables.
So it basically just a question of replacing a cut of meat with & serve of something else the exact same along with the same vegetables and/or salad.
So now we hit the second query. "Whatever do you switch the piece of meat for?" And coming straight after that is "But it takes ages to prepare a vegetarian meal doesn't it?"
So allow me enlighten all the meat eaters who read this piece of writing. Vegetarian cooking can be as easy or as extensive and comprehensive as you want it to be exactly the same as cooking meat.
Consider the time taken in preparing a stew. Chopping up vegetables (vegetarians do likewise), making the stock (vegetarians can do the same) and preparing the meat Well, vegetarians miss that bit out - which makes our stew making...you guessed it - shorter. To us it is merely a question of adding some beans or chickpeas, either of which can come in a can, or are prepared in advance & used for additional recipes.
Now, I in my opinion I believe that the preparation of chicken is more time-consuming than the preparation of the chickpea burgers, namely putting all the ingredients in a food processor, mix, followed by spooning them directly into the pan. Naturally I become fancy, if the feeling takes me by putting them in breadcrumbs etc, but I dont do it often and they taste equally first-rate regardless.
Certainly theres always nights that I can not in actual fact be bothered cooking a delicate meal. You appreciate those nights. Home from work later than usual, exhausted & possibly a bit hassled. A meat eater would doubtless fling a couple of meat pies in a pan, or have the remainer of the meat from last night's meal. Well vegetarians can do much the same thing.
There's nothing so quick as frozen veggie patties to toss into the pan rather than the cold meat or having half an avocado is also an alternative. Just put one of these with the other ingredients of the meat-eater and you have quick vegetarian cooking at its best.
My meat eating friends like to come to my home for meals, be it breakfast, brunch or dinner. They adore the taste & textures of the foods I cook & are amazed at how fast I can whip up any dish with whats in the food cupboard & fridge.
Vegetarian Cooking, as with any style of food, is only nutritious if the balance and flavor are right.
Don't worry carnivores out there, if you've vegetarian friends, they'll cheerfully come along to dinner, they'll eat everything you prepare, oh, except for the piece of meat...so you don't have to do anything unusual or strange for them at all.
