How to eat plants instead of meat
Now is a great time for Aussies and anyone to eat more whole food plant based meals. They can help the budget and waistline too. Here are some common ingredients that can substitute meat.
A meat-free plant-based meal can be delicious, nutritious and nourishing. There are wonderful versions of pretty much every style. This is not about buying expensive processed imitations. It’s about embracing wholesome plants.
Lentils
Buy some dry or canned lentils. These should be available at a very low cost. A kilo of dry green lentils should be available at the supermarket for under or around $4.
Use green/brown lentils instead of mince. Many recipes suggest the lentils are added whole. I like to pulse or blend them just a bit to create a more consistent texture.
Boil red lentils into soups or Indian dahl. They can bring a wholesome hot meal to the next level.
Lentil bolognese sauce. Image: iStock/Getty
Beans
Beans are nourishing. The canned beans are quickly accessible. A kilo of regular dry black beans, for example, should be around $4-8. Most beans should cook to expand to a much greater quantity than when they were dry.
If you are willing to do some preparation, try boiling your own beans. Rinse the dry beans thoroughly. Soak them with lots of water in a covered pot overnight. Rinse them again. Boil and simmer the beans until they hold together but feel soft.
Make an easy Mexican chilli with black or red kidney beans. See? You don’t need mince for this dish. The beans can give a nourishing full feeling.
Tofu
Tempeh
Learn techniques for cooking tempeh and you could be pleasantly surprised.
Indonesian chilli tempeh. Image: iStock
More articles
