Top 10s Classic dishes minus the meat

Date Published:

15/01/2009

Lots of people toying with the idea of going veggie are put off by the hassle of cooking meals for one. But what if you could give family favourites a quick veggie makeover? 4Food took some tips from Christine Tilbury, head of the Vegetarian Society's cookery school, Cordon Vert, on how to make mainstream meals minus the meat

Everyone loves a hearty pie but can your meal be meaty without any meat? "Vegetarian pies are delicious made with whole chestnuts," says Christine. "Prepare your filling in the usual way and replace meat with a mixture of whole chestnuts and button mushrooms. Be sure to use full flavoured vegetarian stock instead of beef stock and, if topping with suet crust pastry, make the crust with vegetable suet instead." Try it for yourselves in this delicious mushroom and chestnut pie recipe.

Nothing warms you up on a nippy day quicker than lashings of goulash with a hunk of crusty bread. "Simply replace the meat with smoked tofu in equal proportion and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock," says Christine, for a mouth watering meat free dish. Try swapping pork for tofu in this pork and paprika goulash recipe.

A Mexican classic, chilli con carne, boasts of its meaty credentials in its title. But can it still taste as good if you boot out the beef? "Quorn mince or textured vegetable protein makes an excellent minced beef substitute," says Christine, "meat eaters can't tell the difference." Swap the beef mince for an equal portion of Quorn mince or reconstitute textured vegetable protein as directed on the packet and add a strong flavouring agent such as marmite or soy sauce. Sink your teeth into this veggie chilli and see for yourself.

A host of Eastern treats come minus the meat but nowhere is this truer than in Indian cuisine. Chickpeas, lentils and potatoes are regularly relied on to bulk up curries and the spectrum of delicate spices provides flavours carnivores can only dream of. But if it's got to be tikka to make you tick Christine recommends swapping the chicken for an equal quantity of soya chunks or fillets. Swap it for yourself in this tikka masala recipe or venerate the veg with this classic vegetable curry.

Shepherd's pie doesn't have to include shepherds so why should it include sheep? Leave the flock in the field and try using lentils instead. Christine says: "Sautee a medium onion, two sticks of celery finely chopped and 2 cloves of crushed garlic in a little oil. Add 1 tsp mixed herbs, 200g red split lentils, 2 peeled and grated carrots and enough vegetable stock to cover. Stir occasionally and simmer the mixture until soft and fairly dry. Season well and place in an oven proof dish. Top with cheesy mashed potato and bake in a moderate oven until golden brown." Try swapping Christine's lentils for the lamb mixture in this Shepherd's pie recipe.

Well if shepherd's pie doesn't need shepherds don't get us started on toad in the hole. "There is a huge variety of vegetarian sausages available but the Cumbrian ones work particularly well in place of meat sausages in toad in the hole," says Christine. "Be sure to use vegetable fat in the pan instead of lard or beef dripping." Make the switch in this toad in the whole with red onions recipe. There's not an over-sized frog in sight.

Meaty mushrooms make great burger substitutes, especially stuffed with lashings of cheese. Try bunging this camembert stuffed creation in a bread bun for a delicious veggie delight. "Vegetarians are spoilt for choice with the many ready made vegetarian burgers on the market," adds Christine. "Use any vegetarian burger you wish and cook as directed on packet. Take a large bap cut open and place the burger inside, top with onion rings fried in vegetable oil, a slice of vegetarian cheese, lettuce, tomato and relish."

What with a plate packed full of eggs, beans, tomatoes, hash browns, mushrooms and toast it's surprising there's any room left for the meat. But if your fry up's not complete without sausage and bacon Christine insists there are suitable soya swaps: "What could be easier than substituting meat sausages with vegetarian sausages and bacon with vegetarian bacon rashers? Make sure fried bread is not fried in animal fat and vegetarian sausages and fake bacon rashers have a separate frying pan too."

Spag bol is a regular feature of student repertoires as it's simple, cheap and delicious. Take out the pricey mince and life gets even easier with luscious veg working wonders to beef up a beef free feast. Carrots, peppers, mushrooms and broccoli come together to help this vegetable Bolognese recipe graduate with honours.

With lasagne it's all about the layering so it's up to you what you fancy beneath the sheets. Don't get fooled by the need for meat; there are a million veggie combos that are just as satisfying to sink your teeth into. This Mediterranean lasagne comes packed full of Italian flava. And this spinach and Gruyere lasagne ticks all the cheesy boxes - just make sure you use a variety of Gruyere with vegetable rennet.

Hungry for more meat free meals? Browse all our vegetarian recipes.

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