Vegan versions of burgers, for example, are free of cholesterol and usually contain fewer calories and less fat than similar burgers made with meat. There are numerous recipes that make use of this wonderful meat alternative. These little drumsticks come on a wooden dowel and can be baked or fried just like regular chicken. Yum, yum yum. Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables (like broccoli and cabbage). Consider roasted cauliflower, sweet and spicy cauliflower, cauliflower with cheese sauce, and again the good old curry………curry cauliflower to name a few. Isn’t that a great reason to adopt this diet? So you have made the choice to become a vegetarian. Think chili, stews (each of these beans, when stewed has a distinctly different flavor), soups, loafs. There is such a tremendous variety when it comes to vegetarian meals, you will definitely not get bored. Soy milk is curdled and the curds are pressed into the soft white blocks which we see in the supermamrket. Use them as patties in veggie burgers, in a breakfast sandwich or dipped in ketchup or hot sauce for dinner along with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies for an all-American meal. This would be our number one favorite vegan meat substitute, if only we could have it more often! Do you like curry……sweet and sour sauce…..honey ginger sauce…….. cheese sauce…..any of your favorite sauces. If you're lucky to live close to a Whole Foods that has a hot food bar, this is the stuff that they use in their various prepared vegetarian dishes.. Try baking your tofu for the most intense flavors. The tofu is just waiting to absorb the lovely flavors to delight you and your dinner guests. There's not too much else that needs to be said about these vegetarian chicken patties. I remember some years ago, I was on a flight. There is so much you can do with this tasty legume. Just take it one day at a time. The casserole can be as similar or as different as you want it. If you miss cold cuts or hot deli sandwiches as a vegetarian, make the refrigerator section of your health food store your first stop in your quest for vegetarian meat substitutes. Quorn brand vegetarian meats have a secret ingredient (ok, it's a fermented mushroom, and it's not all that secret) that give them a super chewy texture that closely resembles chicken meat in particular. Do You Know the Link? These are nutritional powerhouses packed with protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron and potassium. TVP is a highly processed vegan meat substitute developed in the 1960s by food conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland. This meat substitute is not as popular as others, but it’s extremely high in protein content, making it a great alternative for vegetarians. Tofu can be prepared in numerous ways; fried, scrambled, grilled, barbecued, baked…………. This is one of the few meat substitutes for vegans and vegetarians that isn’t made with soy—making it a good option for people who have soy allergies or who are trying to avoid it. Here are some amazing plant-based meat substitutes! So you have made the choice to become a vegetarian. Boring! The versatile vegetable casserole is a staple in vegetarian cooking. They are utilized in the diet in a number of ways…..from snacks, to salads, to entrees, to desserts. You can make lentil stew, lentil soup, lentil loaf, lentil patties, lentil and rice and endless other recipes. Yves Veggie Bologna. There are so many studies that show the positive effects but people still hold back from making the decision to adopt a plant based diet. Go ahead. People are more knowledgeable about the vegetarian diet and what can be substituted in place of meat. Research has shown that a well balanced plant-based diet is sufficient to meet all your nutritional needs. “Does it even make sense to start”, you ask yourself. The high protein, high fiber lentil is also a good source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and B vitamins. Studies suggest that a plant-based diet is a healthier way to eat and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Lentils, for example, cost pennies on the dollar and provide 9 grams of protein per half-cup along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, notes Brill. There are several different varieties of lentils but the most common ones used are Brown, Red and Green lentils. If you're a new vegetarian (or vegan! Once you've perfected your homemade seitan technique (or even if you haven't, store-bought seitan is pretty tasty too) try tossing your seitan in small chunks or thin strips on the grill brushed with a nice sweet barbecue sauce. Although many vegetarian meats are vegan, some do contain egg and traces of dairy, so check the label if needed. There are so many varieties to choose from—pinto beans, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, chick peas, black eye peas, cow peas, to name a few. You can find these Morningstar Farms Brand Sausage Patties With Maple Syrup just about everywhere, from Target to Walmart to Whole Foods.