Meat Free Monday - Need Veggie Recipe Suggestions

Mrs Manners

We've already tried to make the shift to eating meat that was raised organically (at a minimum) and naturally and locally when possible. However, I'd like to reduce the insane amounts of meat we consume and up the volume of veggies for environmental reasons. I've always been a huge meat eater and traditionally follow a low carbohydrate diet (which tends to lend itself to lots of meat) so I'm going to take baby steps when reducing our consumption - starting with meat-free Mondays and then expanding once I get a single day per week mastered. I'd like to maintain low carb eating which incorporating more vegetarian (including dairy and eggs as ingredients for now) dishes. Many of the veggie suggestions I see also incorporate grains and rice which I'd like to leave off. What are your favorite non-starchy suggestions?

CharlottesWeb

Last night I made a recipe from Ina Garten for Lentils w/ stewed tomatoes and carrots. It is soooo yummy. I'm eating it right now with a big slice of homemade bread. I'm sure you can find the recipe on the food network. I served it as side dish last night, but it is hearty enough for a main course.

PurposelyVague

well, my original suggestion of spinach lasagna doesn't sound like it's something that you want.

how about a fritatta? i don't have access right now to the recipe that i sometimes use, but this might give you some ideas.

http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=fritatta&x=0&y=0

 

also, why are you reducing carbs? you know they are the primary source of energy for your body?

ArcticFox

I'll probably have to add more later (both kids are awake right now!)

Stir-fry zucchini and onions
Creamed spinach and a side of something else  - http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/04/creamed-spinach-be-still-my-heart/
Roasted cauliflower gratin
Stir-fry broccoli w/fake meat (the fake meats from our Asian grocery store are to die for!)
Veggie gratin - like baked veggies w/cheese on top

I am not on my regular computer so I don't have the links, but you can google the recipes and you will have pretty good luck.

And overall, this is a good blog-
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/category/sides/vegetables/

Katie_F

I gave up meat for Lent.  So far I have made the following non-starchy foods and have been blown away by all of them:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Poblano-and-Mushroom-Tacos-355771 --these tacos are amazing.   

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Leek-and-Asparagus-Frittata-241324 

EastSideFluffy

I have a lot of soups in my blog (link in sig) that are vegetarian or could be made vegetarian (sub veg stock for chicken).  I've also got an onion and cheese savory custard that just uses a little bit of flour...something like that might be good.

Ditto the suggestions for eggs.

Hearty salads, using lots of beans or chickpeas, nuts, or cheese.

 

SuperGreen

Here are some I make all the time.

Curried Lentil Soup: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/11113?section

Curried Sweet Potato Fritters http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/11090?section=
 
Indonesian Tempeh with Green Beans and Crushed Peanuts  This is awesome with rice noodles as the recipe suggests. http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/11018?section=

Ethiopian Lentils http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2009/11/ethiopian-lentils.html

Roasted Autumn Vegetables  we made this for Thanksgiving, everyone loved it!  You have to roast for 40 mins though, the recipe says 30. http://itaintmeatbabe.blogspot.com/2009/09/roasted-autumn-vegetables.html

Stuffed Mushrooms with Sun Dried-Tomatoes This is also a great appetizer.
http://foodandspice.blogspot.com/2009/06/stuffed-mushrooms-with-sun-dried.html

Pasta with White Beans and Arugula.  This is one of our go-to under 30 minute weeknight meals.  Lots of protein and flavor, it's soooo good. http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1911294

KatiesCats

We love this easy lentil soup recipe (bonus: it's vegan).  It's packed with protein and if you add veggies (we add 1/2 c chopped carrots, 1/2 c chopped celery, sometimes tomato, etc., plus some spicy spices like crushed red pepper).

heliocentric

Here are a couple from Epicurious. I get a lot of recipes from there.

Spiced lentil tacos

Stuff collar greens (like stuffed shell, but with collards as the shell)

CarrieB.

We do a lot of meat free meals. I like vegi chili, lentil stew, yellow rice and beans, raviolis with roasted squash, eggplant and zucchini, spaghetti with marinara sauce and mushrooms.

daisy21le

My blog is all meat free!  Check it out at www.lesliesarna.com

 

GRKaters

We do meatless Mondays, but we also eat whole grains like brown rice, barley, and quinoa. Your body needs carbs to function--just make them healthy whole-grain carbs and not the starchy white ones.

 

Mrs Manners

Actually, our body doesn't NEED carbs to function. It'll use them as an energy source first if they're available but without their presence your body will happily burn stored fat, dietary fat and the sugars converted from proteins. I'm not no-carb, but I do eat lower carb and get the carbs I do eat from veggies and nuts. I know it's not for everyone, but I feel much, much better when I don't eat carbohydrates in the form of breads, pastas or even whole grains. I'm not trying to make low-carb converts out of you...just explaining the reasons why I eat that way. Thanks for all the dish suggestions....I think some of them will definately allow me to reduce meat consumption while controlling dietary sugar/carb intake.