My vegetarian experiment

For one reason or another, we have ended up discussing vegetarian diets a lot in this forum. I’m not sure why. It’s not something I think about that much, but clearly I think about it more than I think I do. As do you guys, maybe.

I have already mentioned that I have consciously tried to eat less meat, but meat of better quality – free-range chicken and pork in particular. I have explained my lamb-phobia, and my dislike of salmon, and we have flirted with the high price (and sustainability) of fish – these are always going to be issues that arise in a broad, food-related forum.

The merest mention of vegetarian, however, and, in particular veganism, seems to bring some people out in a rash, and some people’s responses, were they directed at a racial or religious group rather than a choice of diet, would be tantamount to bigotry, racism, or at the very least extreme intolerance.

While the “pick the bacon bits out” jibes are funny up to a point, they must get pretty tired pretty quickly if they are constantly directed at you. A Jewish friend of mine got the same suggestion on a flight – which is appalling, obviously. To not respect someone’s choice to eat what they want for moral, ethical, dietary or religious reasons smacks of ignorance and intolerance.

On the other hand, I find vegetarian proselytising equally heavyhanded. I do understand that meat comes from dead animals (but thanks to those who felt the need to point that out), and while that thought doesn’t thrill or excite me, neither does it fill me with horror and dread. I can accept that it is necessary so that I can eat meat, which I do like. I think that animal welfare is of critical importance, not least to produce good quality meat, which is fit for human consumption.

So, what I have done is to consciously eat less meat. Or, rather, eat more non-meat. I am not going to go vegan, I think we have solidly established that my love of cheese, in particular, would preclude that from ever happening. Soy milk, tofu – just not really my bag, either. The other night I cooked vegetarian food, almost unconsciously – it was really good. I made Yotam Ottolenghi‘s kosheri – rice, lentils, spices, rice noodles, crispy fried onions and a spicy tomato and coriander sauce, with a salad of rocket, orange, feta and hazelnuts. Bags of flavour, lots of texture – didn’t miss meat at all.

I think maybe this is the way to approach vege food – not as a meal with the meat removed, but as a meal in and of itself. There are so many good things to eat that aren’t made of meat, you just have to be a bit creative, and a bit organised.  As we have discussed in the past, a store cupboard with some staples makes preparing tasty, interesting food on the fly just that much easier.

One of the things that most interested me about commencing this blog (now going on four months old – huzzah!) is the notion that it becomes a dialogue between yours truly and you, the reader. If you think I am wrong, or misguided, or inaccurate, or being pious, I will certainly take your opinion on board, even if I am then perfectly entitled to reject it. There is also the intriguing fact that I have absolutely no professional experience in cooking or hospitality. I am not a restaurant reviewer. What I am is someone who loves to eat well and exchange information with other like-minded souls about how to do just that.

This blog is, effectively, whatever we choose to make it. There is minimal interference from anyone at Stuff (regardless of what some of the more conspiracy-minded commenters seem to think), and I am in no way steered as to what I should write about. Indeed, I would welcome any suggestions as to issues we haven’t yet covered in this forum – as it goes on it is going to get harder and harder to keep coming up with new topics. But really, I think, with food, it is a very broad spectrum. Enough to be going on with for quite a while, I would say.

So this is what I am thinking – I am going to give being vegetarian a go for a fixed period of time. Not this week – I’m going to Auckland. Nor, probably, next – I have guests. But soon. I am preparing. What I would like from you, dear readers, is as many absolutely delicious vegetarian recipes, or, even better, suggestions for great things I can eat during my meat-free sabbatical.

Oh, and Aucklanders – where should I be going to eat in the City of Sales this weekend – not really flash, but places that are reasonable and serve interesting and delicious food?

Again – I thank you for reading and commenting, and wish you a successful weekend’s eating…

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Little bit out of the way is a place in Clark’s beach called Chinwags. Absolutely delicious, good portions and reasonably priced. My all time favorite (apart from the French Cafe in town, which is in a different league though).

For vegetarian options, nothing beats a good curry in my opinion. Potato and peas, dhal, pumpkin, serve with raita and poppadoms. yum, I’m hungry now.

I was a vegetarian for 10 years, due to not liking the taste or texture of meat particularly and having that strange realisation moment as a teenager that there was no need to eat food I didn’t like. I have now sort of started eating meat again, but I find that my meat dishes are tasty vegetarian meals with meat added (somewhat unnecessarily). I agree entirely that meals with meat and vegetarian meals are separate – you can’t add meat to one or subtract it from the other and expect it to work.
In terms of new blog topics – I know that Christmas will be done to death shortly, but I’m cooking for my family with the worlds tiniest oven and have no idea how to make it work…
Places to eat in Auckland – you should try New Flavour on Dominion Road. Chinese dumpling restaurant with amazing food. It looks basic and a tad grimy on the outside but the food is made on site from scratch and it is beautiful.

CAC tapas bar in Mt Eden.. their risotto balls are to die for. I hear cocos cantina on K’rd is also good. Great eggs bene to be had at Divan Cafe on exchange lane (bottom end of queen st). If you make it to Mt Eden village Frasers is also worth a look.

I have sort of become a part time vegetarian by default.. I have meat in my freezer its just mostly I am too lazy to cook it so I seem to live off a diet of fruit, veges, cous cous, feta and bean sprouts. I probably eat meat twice a week.. sometimes three times.

I’m exactly the same – eating less and less meat but better quality. I’m lucky here in Auckland to have Nosh just up the road, a great place for buying proper meat at a great price. Sometimes I drive over to the North Shore just to go to Seaview Meats who do amazing organic meat, especially their sausages. As for good food, I’ve heard great things about Cafe Hanoi down near Britomart – haven’t been yet but everyone who has been has raved.

If you’re in the city Id suggest Coco’s Cantina on K Road – great little bistro.
Ebisu in the Britomart for great japanese food.
Cafe Hanoi also in Britomart for vietnamese.
Bill Fish cafe in westhaven near the marina for great seafood.

Enjoy!

I love meat but my boyfriend and I have changed the way we eat so that we’re eating less high quality meat, and experimenting more with vegetarian food. It helps that my best friend, who lives with us, is a vegetarian who travelled around Europe meeting vegetarians and vegans. We’ve tried so many new things in the past six months. Lentils, chickpeas, seeds and nuts are a huge part of our diet. We regularly eat things like tofu (sometimes in our meat meals when she’s not eating with us), vege koftas (so yummy to make at home), falafel and I love to experiment with making things like my own vege patties or vege pies. Recently she took us to Aunty Mena’s (a vegan cafe on Cuba St) which serves seitan, an amazing meat substitute that has changed my life! We’ve found that when I make meat free meals, we dont even miss the meat, because there are so many flavours and ingredients going on, its a complete meal without the meat component.

I dont have any suggestions on where to eat in Auck for vege options but if you’re ever interested in vege places on Wellington, I have plenty of recommendations! And Aunty Mena’s is definitely at the top of my list

The only time I have an issue with vegetarians, vegans, etc… is when they’re doing it for ethical reasons and they force their reasons in your face. These people are giving the rest a bad rap.

Don’t eat meat. I’ll cook you a stirfry or a curry. Just let me enjoy my steak in peace.

Ditto all of the above for meat eaters.

For places to eat in Auckland: Lucha Lounge and Simply Thai in Newmarket, or the “mother in law” place next door. Ninja Sushi in Greenwoods Corner/ Epsom. Mexican Specialties in Ellerslie (although opening hours are irregular). Pan Asia in Parnell.

We also eat less meat, with perhaps 3 or 4 meals containing meat. And we have small portion sizes too, I reckon 100g meat per person is enough. You just have to bulk it out with veges.

For vege meals, as others have mentioned, you can’t go wrong with (Indian or Thai) curry. Either using chickpeas, lentils or starchy veges like potato, kumara or pumpkin as the ‘meat’. With the arrival of summer veges at reasonable prices, aubergine becomes the vegetarian’s friend. Can be added to curries, grilled on the BBQ, roasted or added to pasta sauces to bulk things up. Vegetarian moussaka (either beans or lentils as the ‘mince’) is great, easy to take to a potluck, and will be devoured by vegos and carnivores alike.

@ Booboo #5 TOTES COCO’S CANTINA!! I can’t believe I forgot them. Sooo good.

There are so many reasons to choose a vegan lifestyle. Here are two short videos to help everyone understand why so many are making this life-altering choice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKr4HZ7ukSE and http://www.veganvideo.org

Vegetarian, Raw and Vegan with Bill & Sheila

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