Celebrate no-meat day
Plenty of reasons people choose to eat less meat
GOING for plenty of flavour and not settling for rabbit food are two bits of advice Kylie Pateman has for people looking to cut back a bit on the meat.
Today is World Meat Free Day and Mrs Pateman said there were plenty of ways to create meat-free dishes that wouldn’t leave a bunch of sad faces around the dining table.
Mrs Pateman and husband
Darrin run Homegrown
Health Cafe in Railway St, which offers everything from meaty dishes through to full vegan.
She said as someone who ate a bit of meat herself, she could understand people’s reticence to give new things a try, but there was little more satisfying than seeing an avowed meat eater really enjoying a vegetarian or vegan dish.
She said it was important to both add plenty of protein to help sate hunger for longer, as well as being mindful that it was winter and food often filled emotional needs as much as physical ones at this time of year.
❝aware We’re of how much society is moving towards less meat. — Kylie Pateman
Not many people would want to come home on a cold winter’s night to a plate of salad.
She said nearly anything with meat in it could be adapted to vegetarian or vegan, whether it was soups, stews, nachos, hamburgers or even just the traditional pan-fried meat and veg, which could be swapped out with a vegie patty or sesame-crusted haloumi.
The key was plenty of herbs and spices as well as taking a bit of extra time when possible.
Often vegetables like sweet potato or pumpkin when cooked for longer periods ended up breaking down to form part of a rich sauce which could be bolstered by a range of other flavours.
A combination of apple cider vinegar, tamari, a healthier version of soy sauce, and a dash of maple syrup made a wonderful seasoning for many things.
“We’re aware of how much society is moving towards less meat and you can start with World Meat Free Day and even work up to meat-free Mondays,” Mrs Pateman said.
“Whether it’s animal cruelty, environmental effects, toxic chemicals or whatever the reason, people choose to eat less meat, one day a week meat free is achievable and not a huge commitment.” Visit worldmeatfreeday.com.