Monday 16th April marks the start of National Vegetarian Week – a week-long celebration of exciting vegetarian food and raising awareness of the benefits of a vegetarian diet.  

There are a variety of ways that you can eat vegetarian foods, at any time of the day. So, we’ve pulled together a summary of veggie delights to inspire you if you’re looking to cut down on meat or explore a vegetarian diet.  

Breakfast options 

Cereal is a great vegetarian breakfast option and is fortified with extra nutrients, as well as the milk being a source of calcium. However, breakfast cereals are often heavy on sugar, so it’s a good idea to only have small portion, accompanied by something else.   

Scrambled or poached egg on toast is another brilliant option. Both the egg white and yolk are rich in nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Served with a good grinding of black pepper and just a little salt, this is a super healthy vegetarian breakfast. 

Alternatively, why not try porridge - the breakfast of kings? There’s no need to buy the instant packets, porridge oats only take a few minutes to cook in a pan or the microwave with some milk. Why not add raisins and a little cinnamon while it cooks to add an extra dash of flavour? Then, when it’s ready to serve, add sliced or mashed banana for sweetness and extra nutrients. 

Lunch ideas 

Sandwiches are the classic lunchtime food and are easy to prepare the night before. For those who prefer savoury, why not try cheese and pickle or pesto, mozzarella, and tomato? Or for those who have a sweet tooth, peanut butter and banana is a delicious sandwich combination, as well as peanut butter and jam. 

You can also accompany your sandwich with some homemade soup and this red pepper and tomato soup is a great option. Made with tomatoes, red onion, peppers, garlic, and thyme, it’s sure to spruce up your vegetarian lunch. 

Vegetarian dinner ideas 

For those looking for a quick vegetarian dinner, a baked Potato and salad is the perfect choice. You can top the potato with grated cheese and either coleslaw or pickle, fill the potato with bean chilli and grated cheddar, or try it with baked beans and grated cheddar- the possibilities are endless!  

For those warmer days, a halloumi salad is a delicious vegetarian meal. To make, dry fry slices of halloumi, chop into smaller pieces, and serve with mixed salad leaves, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and olives. To add the final touch, drizzle over some balsamic dressing. 

Alternatively, if you feel adventurous and want to make something from scratch, why not make a tomato and basil tart? Spread a sheet of ready rolled pastry, add pesto, and top with slices of tomato and some fresh basil. Then, season with black pepper and bake until the pastry is golden. This is delicious served with baby potatoes and green vegetables or salad – Bon Appétit!  

 

Which of these vegetarian dishes will you be trying this National Vegetarian Week? We’d love to see your creations, so share them with us on social media!