The common misunderstanding about vegetarian recipes is that they’re boring. Salads, side dishes, soups and steamed vegetables don’t really sound like a lot of possibilities for these leafy greens after all. But you’ll be surprised to find out that vegetables are on a different level of their own.
Everyone thinks meat is the better, more flavorful contender. No meal is ever complete without it. But look in the internet, or just about anywhere, and you will find that vegetarian dishes have been rising in popularity, for both health reasons and animal-loving reasons even.
If you’re planning to innovate and include no meat recipes into your menu, perhaps for Meatless Mondays, going cold turkey might be intimidating. That is, unless you use other ingredients, which have a similar body or texture as meat, such as mushrooms, or even tofu!
Here are our top 5 Easy Recipes that both vegetarian and meat-loving customers alike will definitely enjoy. Trust us, they won’t be able to tell there’s no meat!
1. Tom Yum Cauliflower Poppers
Fried food will definitely be a hit with guests, especially these low-calorie poppers! These crunchy bombs come loaded with some heat, and addicting sour and spicy flavours. Don’t forget to serve it with the creamy aioli dip!
2. Mushroom and Vegetable Lettuce Wrap
Get back into your Asian roots with this vegetarian alternative. Replace your meat which mushrooms, which give your dish a full-bodied texture. Chop up your mushrooms and vegetables, then cook it together with some sweet and salty Hoisin sauce, and serve in a crisp lettuce as a great main course!
3. Eggplant and Pumpkin Parmigiana with Gochujang
Cheese and tomato sauce are essentials in cooking up Italian cuisine. Instead of using chicken as the base, replace it with eggplant and pumpkin. Add a touch of earthiness and some light heat in the sauce with Gochujang, the Korean version of tomato paste.
4. Three Cheese Croquette with a Marinara Dipping Sauce
A play on the much-loved mozzarella cheese sticks appetizer, this dish makes use of a mix of Cheddar, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese and vegetables like carrots and bell peppers inside a Mashed Potato Ball. Coat it in a mix of egg and seasoned breadcrumbs, then deep fry. Serve it with a tangy Marinara sauce and watch your guests go at it! Even kids will love this.
5. Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms
This warm and hearty dish will definitely remind your guests of home. Instead of using meat stock as your base, a good mix of vegetable stock will do the trick! Use brown rice as a healthier alternative, paired with mushrooms and tangy Parmesan cheese to create this dish.
