Vegetarian

Hello. Welcome to the vegetarian section of the blog. I want to be honest with you from the start. This is not a place where I’m going to try to convince you to go vegetarian. It’s also not a place where you’ll find a lot of ingredients that you can only buy at a specialty health food store.

This space is much simpler than that. For example it’s for anyone who wants to eat less meat.

Maybe you’re a full-time vegetarian looking for a simple weeknight dinner. Because you’re just trying out “Meatless Mondays.” Or so you’re just a person who opened the fridge and realized the only thing you have left are some vegetables and a can of beans.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

I spent a lot of time writing online content, and I saw a trend in the vegetarian space that I really didn’t like. A lot of recipes felt like they were trying too hard. They were complicated. They called for expensive “superfoods.” They made it seem like cooking without meat was this huge, difficult project that required a whole new personality.

That’s not what this is about. This is about rescuing your dinner with the food you probably already have. It’s about making delicious, satisfying meals that just happen to not have meat in them.

My Simple Promise for These Recipes

How ever, every vegetarian recipe you find here is built on a few simple promises.

They are satisfying. First this is the most important one. My biggest frustration with a lot of vegetarian meals is that I would be hungry again an hour later. That won’t happen here. We focus on recipes that are packed with protein and fiber from things like beans, lentils, and whole grains to keep you feeling full and happy.
They are simple. You won’t need a dozen different pots and pans. Many of these are one-pot wonders. But the goal is to make your life easier, not to create a huge mess in your kitchen.
They use normal ingredients. We will be using the heroes of the pantry. For example things like canned beans, dried lentils, pasta, and rice. We will use normal vegetables that you can find at any grocery store. No expensive, and no hard-to-find ingredients required.

What Kind of Recipes Will You Find Here?

So this is not a place for “fake meat” or complicated substitutes. However, this is a place that celebrates the amazing flavors of plants.

Hearty Soups and Stews: However think of a rich, warm lentil soup that’s so satisfying, so you won’t even miss the meat.
Pantry-Powered Pastas: For example simple, comforting pasta dishes that come together in minutes.
Flavor-Packed Tacos and Burgers: However, like my black bean burgers that are so firm and delicious, they won’t fall apart on you.
Fresh and Filling Bowls: Finally quick, no-cook meals like the Mediterranean Bowl that are perfect for a fast lunch.

A Rescue for Bland Vegetarian Food

However let’s be honest again. Sometimes, cooking without meat can be a little… bland. The secret to amazing vegetarian food is learning how to build deep, savory flavor.

Many of the “Kitchen Rescue” guides on this site will help you with that. We’ll talk about how to use simple things like a little tomato paste, and splash of soy sauce, or some smoked paprika to create that rich, and “meaty” flavor, without any meat at all. We will focus on the techniques that make vegetables taste incredible.

My Hope for You

My goal for this section is simple. First I want to give you a handful of reliable, go-to vegetarian recipes so you can turn to on a busy weeknight. I want you to feel confident that you can make a so delicious, satisfying meal without meat, and without stress.

Finally, whether you’ve been a vegetarian for years or you’re just starting to explore plant-based meals, I’m happy you’re here. Have a look around. Find a recipe that looks good to you. And know that a simple, and delicious meal is just a few steps away.

What’s the one vegetarian dish you’ve always struggled to get right? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.