I said VEGetarians and no, this isn't about the vegetarian homo who was fired...
A little over two weeks ago (after reading Skinny Bitch and surfing the PETA site) I decided to give up meat. I had dropped red meat and pork first and then decided I could live without chicken, too. Well, does anyone have any pointers or advice? Anyone have any fantastic recipes they want to share? What about restaurants? Any in the city that are must tries?
Thanks for any input.
yer giving up all meat, jg2? wink, wink.
my wife liks zen palate. she's not a total meat nazi, but she eats very little. just a few double-cheesburgers now and then. a little bulgogi.
Be sure you get protein from other sources (legumes, the Morningstar products, etc).
Be careful not to supplement with carbos. It's very easy to load up on the starches b/c in the beginning you may feel like you haven't had a real meal.
I have a ton of excellent recipes that I'll PM you when I get home.
Congrats on the decision Jerseygirl! I was a vegetarian for 8 years, but now I'll eat chicken on occasion. (No red meat still.) My best advice is to try a bunch of different stuff! Some people really love soy, while others love tofu. My favorite product are Boca Burgers. (I especially recommend the 'chicken' patties!) Here's their website, they have some awesome recipies too.
http://www.bocaburger.com/our-products.aspx
Best of luck!
I'm not a vegetarian, but I love this cookbook:
Main-Course Vegetarian Pleasures
taz is right. you need lots and lots of protein.
as far as the veggie stuff from the supermarket, i am a fan of the morningstar farms veggie stuff. 'spcially their burger family. the mrs. loves the veggie dogs. i've made veggie chili with their faux ground beef crumble and it didn't suck nearly as bad as i thought it would.
*update*
and i just got that first line ya linguist ya.
Re restaurants: I highly recommend Zenith on W 48th & 8th Ave. It can be a bit pricey, but it's oh so good!
www.zenithvegetariancuisine.com
Well, I was already in love with Morningstar Farms Mushroom Lovers burger. And their chicken really surprised me.
My best friend is a vegetarian, I'll ask her if she has any advice.
also, 3 words.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI!
yummm
and jg2, protein. lots and lots of yummy protein.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Try that tofu-pasta that's available in the refridgerated organics section of the supermarket. I think it's called "SH*Taki" or something very close to that.
"Some people really love soy, while others love tofu"
Well, actually tofu is made from Soy milk.
I'm on Weight Watchers and their web site has lots of recipes that use little or no meat. Some of them are either really good or I just think they're good because I'm starving....
ANYWAY - that's a good spot to find recipes for meatless chilis, soups, stews, etc.
The TOFU COOKERY is another great cookbook. Their enchiladas (pictures below), sloppy joes, and especially chili are to die for. You can purchase the 25th Anniversary Edition on Amazon for just $15, but I'd check your local library first. They may have an older edition, but it's all the same.
I dropped them all at once on New Year's when I was 14. My roommate went slowly from dropping red meat, then white meat, then fish. Different things work for different people!
I was like Jersey. Inspired by a PETA propaganda film.
Even as a little tot I was aware and uncomfortable eating animals,
but when I saw that PETA film it was all over.
That is some harsh stuff.
i love watching the peta films with a burger and some chicken fries.
gross.
Give me the good old fashioned torture porn. I can handle people being chopped up, it's the animals that get to me.
please, all that torture porn is so cheesy. i need the real thing man. chop the chickens, baby.
Welcome to Veggietown! Your new best friend is the soy bean. You can eat it as a bean, you can drink it as soy milk (although as soy milk tastes vile, you may want to look into rice milk instead), and you can eat it in a curd. Cut cubes of tofu, roll 'em in cornflour, deepfry until crispy brown, season, and devour. It's my most favouritest thing to eat. :3
Mmmmm, soy beans... :3
I'm not yet a vegetarian, but my 17 year old daughter is a vegan, and we're always trying out new vegetarian/vegan restaurants. Here are a few good ones in the city:
HanGawi (Korean) - 32nd east of Fifth
Blossom - Ninth between 21st and 22nd
Cafe Blossom - Columbus between 82nd and 83rd
Candle Cafe - 3rd & 75th
Candle 79 - 79th off Lexington
Gobo - the Downtown one - 6th Ave (I forget where)
Lula's Sweet Apothecary (Dessert) - 6th between Ave A and Ave B
If I think of more, I'll let you know.
Look into seitan - a meat substitute derived from the protein portion of wheat - it's got a good texture and is pretty versatile.
If you're eating a lot of soy, make sure you talk to your gynecologist, as there is still a split of opinion about the science related to the effects of a lot of soy on breast health.
see, jg2, yer vag needs meat! you know the number.
SM2, I have that cookbook and use it all the time. It has some great soup and salad recipes, too.
Whoa! Thanks for all the great suggestions! I can't wait to try some of this stuff.
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