Child-friendly vegetarian meals...?

Question

We are going to be trying to eat less meat, but I'm looking for meal ideas that kids will enjoy. Can you suggest anything? (.....preferably not using meat analogs that you buy at the grocery.)

Answer 1

You can either make these burritos yourself or put the ingredients on the table and let everyone build their own.

Yield 6 burritos
Time 15 minutes (once tortillas and beans are prepared)
Tools aluminum foil
small saucepan
wooden spoon
several bowls and spoons
plate

Ingredients 6 10-inch flour tortillas
2 c refried beans (canned ok) and/or black beans (soaked and cooked or canned, drained, and rinsed)
1 c cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, grated (optional)
1-2 c lettuce, finely shredded
2-3 tomatoes, finely diced
diced onion (optional)
sour cream or vegan sour cream (optional)
salsa (optional)

Directions Wrap tortillas in foil and keep warm in 400° oven while you prepare other ingredients. When ready to serve, transfer to a plate.
Add a bit of water to beans and heat on the stove, stirring occasionally.

If allowing everyone to make their own burritos, place each ingredient in its own bowl with a spoon and set on the table along with the plate of tortillas.

To make the burrito, spread beans down the center of a tortilla and, sprinkle with cheese and vegetables. Roll up and eat.

Notes I like to dip my burrito in sour cream and salsa, but you could also spread them inside where they will get warm and the sour cream melty.

Answer 2

Hi, WOW, some rude people got a head of me while I was writing. For your information and theirs. NO, you do not need meat. My ex wife, (mother of 5) and eldest daughter (mother of 3) have never eaten meat in their lives. In fact, my daughter is a complete vegan, no animal products at all (no cheese, milk, cream, eggs, etc). As for meat substitutes, like someone suggested, DON'T DO IT. It's bad enough what they do to our food as it is. But, meat substitutes are absolute rubbish to our bodies. Give him good quality, organic grown fruit and veg, NO processed garbage. (Where do you think cancer comes from?) Stupid people> Sorry, gets my blood boiling. Ok, back to where I started originally. Several years ago, I'd have agreed with the first reply, well, not exactly. However, these days I understand things a little better and know exactly the kind crap they use on and in our meat to produce it. From hormones and antibiotics during the animals life, to chemicals and gasses just to keep meat looking and smelling fresh. What most people don't understand is that meat from a supermarket can be more than a month old. Not good enough for me. Unless you can get organic meat from a reputable suppler, I'd recommend everyone stop eating it. I write a blog on the condition of our food, and know how bad it is. It's not good at best. I love meat (good quality meat) and I'd hate to go without. I don't feel I've had a meal unless there is meat on the plate. So, I'd over come it by only using meat in SOME dishes, some of the time (So mostly do non meat dishes). Don't put a slab of steak on the plate, disguise it by cooking it in the meal (Casseroles and stews) Use fish instead of meat in other dishes and slowly reduce the amount of meat altogether. It maybe something your son will get used to, but also, he may eat meat again when he is older. As I said, it is normally something I'd say is up to your son, but he is only seven and is subject to eat whatever you decide is best. Nothing worse than kids dictating to their parents at meal time. (Ever seen a 7 year old make a GOOD choice about anything?). LOL.

Answer 3

This is my dads award winning recipe


RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
6 eggs
Salt and pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese
2 tbsp. butter
1. Preheat the oven broiler. Break the eggs into a mixing bowl and beat them just until they are well blended. Mix in the cheese and whatever else you choose (such as 1 1/2 cups of prepared vegetables or pasta).

2. Melt the butter in a 10-inch, ovenproof skillet set over medium heat. Swirl the butter evenly over the bottom of the pan and pour in the beaten egg. Immediately turn the heat to Low. When the eggs seem to have set but are still a bit runny on the top, remove the skillet to the broiler and leave it there just until the top is set (not browned). Flip the frittata onto a plate, cut into wedges and serve. You can also pour the egg mixture into the skillet with the melted butter, and bake the frittata in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes or until the top is dry.

WOW!!! I typed a lot!

Answer 4

Appologies as i've this same reciepe to answer 2 questions in the past 5 mins. But for Kids its ideal.
When they say what's in it you go. Baked beans, mashed potato and cheese. Perhaps go easy on the chilli side of things, but its quick easy and you can cook up 2 or three and freeze them for a rainy day.

Ranchers Pie - Veggie version of cottage/shepards Pie.

Packet of Tofu - 250g or so. - Ideally smoked as it is tastier.
1 Tin of baked beans
Potatoes - 3-5 depends on how big your dish is.
1 Tin of sweet corn
1 onion - finely chopped
Tomato sauce.
1/2 tsp on chilli powder or a splash of tobasco.
cheese - chedar

Get the potatoes on the boil
Grate the tofu and chop the onion.
Fry the onion for 2 mins or till soft.
Add the tofu and fry for a further 2-3 mins.
Add small spoon of chilli powder or a splash of tobasco sauce and the tomato sauce
Add the baked beans and stir.

Now mash the potato, mix the sweet corn in.

Put all the tofu mix into an oven proof dish and spread the mash mix on top.
Grate cheese on top.

Bake in pre heated oven at gas mark 5 for 20 mins or untill brown on top.

Its mushy but thats what kids like when they are young. Its got protein from both the tofu, bake beans and cheese. If you want to go more protien you can always add some Kidney beans.

Answer 5

Honestly, most of the "classic kids meals" can be easily made vegetarian. Mac n cheese already is... so is grilled cheese sandwiches. Spaghetti can be made with a meat substitute or just without meat at all. Get cheese ravioli or tortellini (frozen) and put pasta sauce on it. As others have said, veggie pizza's are always a favorite. I like to make them on either french bread or english muffins and let each kid put on their own toppings (mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, pineapple, etc - they do have veggie pepperoni too, if you choose to buy it).

Answer 6

I would make mini veggie pizza's! All kids really like pizza! I would get those lunchables things! Let them use the pizza sauce and the round bread things (just throw away the pepperoni), but you can use the cheese! I would cut up all different kind of vegetables, and put them in a bowl and let the kids put all the vegetable they want on by their choice! It would be fun for them to eat, plus it is a vegetarian meal!

Answer 7

My favorite dish that children love is "battered cauliflower". You simply wash and cut the cauliflower into medium size florets. Make a dry batter with mostly cornmeal, some flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and any other dry seasonings you want (i.e., Seasoned salt). Make enough dry batter to use some as a base for your wet batter. Simply scoop some dry batter into a bowl, add water, and a little soy sauce. Dip your cauliflower florets into the wet and then into the dry batter and fry it in hot oil in a skillet. Brown on all sides, then lower your flame and cover to cook through and soften the cauliflower.

This is not a dish to make in advance but when you're ready to eat it. Drain on paper towels and serve as is or with ketchup.

You can do the same thing using peeled and sliced thin eggplant, tofu and mushrooms.

Kids love 'em!

Answer 8

I think the best meal would have a Mexican theme...try making burrittos one night. Use canned black beans for your protein source, and top your tortilla with plenty of fresh vegetables, like lettuce and tomato.
Another idea is homemade pizza--you can buy dough or make your own, but top it with sauce, cheese, and plenty of veggies!
These are two really simple but delicious meal ideas, and if you get the kids involved with prep, they will enjoy the meal that much more!

Answer 9

Honestly, kids will eat anything. It is all in how you present it to them. It is wonderful that you have decided to eat less meat. To encourage your kids to eat what you make, make the effort a family project. If your kids are old enough, have them look up recipes they may want to try. If your child can't read yet, read the cookbook with them, saying things like, "Oooh, this one sounds good. Help me make this one so we can taste it!" Then find ways they can help in the kitchen. When they have a hand in making the food, they are more likely to try it, and like it.

Answer 10

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