Recipes

Vegetarian Slimming & Vegetarian Health

You don’t need to sacrifice to eat well and healthily. Remember, a well-balanced veggie diet is much better for you than a meaty one – and these particular recipes are even healthier, but without missing out on flavour! For those of you keeping an eye on your heart, blood pressure and all the rest, these meals will help do the trick. And because they are low in fat and sugar, they will also help you lose a few unwanted pounds. For more info on health, see Your Health in Your Hands and Nutrition in a Nutshell

There are also other ways you can make existing recipes low in fat – instead of sautéing onions in oil, for example, just poach them in a little stock and continue with the rest of the recipe.

Try making your own low-fat salad dressings – we’ve got a few suggestions here. Salads don’t have to be a few boring lettuce leaves, either! Experiment with such ingredients such as rocket (a slightly spicy green leaf); artichoke hearts and green beans or mange tout (lightly steamed and cooled).

If you’ve been used to eating lots of salt in ready meals, takeaways and so on, gradually reduce the amount with which you cook and season your food.  You’ll find that your taste buds adjust accordingly so you don’t need so much any more. Go easy on yeast extract (or buy a low-salt variety), soya sauce and miso, as these also contain salt.

If you get sugar cravings, eat healthy snacks of dried or fresh fruit instead. They’ll keep you going longer and won’t give you that tired feeling you get after the quick fix of refined sugar. Even better, go for something savoury, like rice cakes and a dip.

Key to abbreviations

tsp: teaspoon
dsp: dessertspoon
tbsp: tablespoon

Breakfast Fruit Salad
Porridge Oats
Baked Beans on Toast
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Tomato and Bulgur Soup
Harira Soup
Mexican Black Bean Soup with Tomato Salsa
Butter Bean, Sweet Red Pepper and Basil Spread
Salad Dressings
Sauce It Up
Polenta Rounds with Roasted Peppers and Basil
Red Lentil Dahl
Five-Spice Rice
Vegetable Pancakes
Speedy Smoky Pasta
Fat-Free Garlicky Roast Potatoes
Curried Sweet Potato Roti
Artichoke & Lentil Pasta