Category: Vegetarian Meals

Sweet & Sour Chicken Nuggets

I have been trying to make this recipe since the beginning of January 🙈 as its a perfect vegetarian recipe for Meat Free Monday but as with all things in my life it takes time to get these things done.

However, here we are and I can definitely say this one was worth the wait it was amazing really hit the spot and if you’re craving a takeaway then maybe give this a try.

Use any chicken nuggets you like i used Quorn to keep the recipe vegetarian but any will work. In the recipe you will see i have said either add the nuggets to the pan after they are cooked and coat them in the sauce or pour the sauce over them.

The reason for this is that to coating on the nuggets can go soft and a little “soggy” if you leave them sitting in the sauce too long – but to be honest I really enjoyed them that way, this is one of those personal preference things.

OK let’s get to the million dollar question regarding SYNS or calories unfortunately I can’t give you that information because it depends on the ingredients used.

Tomato Sauce – depends on the brand you use at the minute I’m using Tesco own brand low salt low sugar which is 7 Cals per tablespoon such a fantastic find – but yours maybe different and much higher or lower in calories.

Sugar – If you are following Slimming World Sweetener is now synned but if you are a rebel like me then I don’t and won’t syn its because I don’t use it anywhere else in my diet. Remember to do whatever is best for you and the diet plan you are following.

by julessmithie

Courgetti

When you are trying to add more vegetables into your diet Courgetti is a fantastic way of doing it.

Personally I can just eat it as Courgetti and feel satisfied but if I’m on a “hungry day” then I always add a small amount of spaghetti. The half Courgetti half spaghetti works really well and if you are watching calories it is a fantastic way of reducing calories.

In the video you will see i added a small sprinkle of chilli flakes, this works well but if you’re not a fan then leave them out.

Top tip don’t add salt to Courgetti as it will draw the water out and courgette is practically all water so you can run the risk of water logging it.

The spiralizer I use is in my Amazon Shop press the link here https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

No Cheeseburger Gnocchi

Another brilliant Meat Free Monday recipe we both loved this, plus it’s another recipe that is very adaptable so anything that needs using up can be added.

As with all vegetarian recipes you can if course make this a meat version by using any mince or sausages you have.

I used meat free sausages basically because it was all I had but you could use quorm mince. The sausages I used were Tesco Plant Chef which taste exactly the same as the Linda McCartney Red Onion sausages so if you have those they will work perfectly.

Let’s talk gnocchi, the key with gnocchi is not to over cook it as soon as it floats to the top its cooked drain it immediately. If you leave it to cook it will take on a very soft “mushy” texture. Or if you aren’t a fan of gnocchi you can use pasta as an alternative.

The recipe states serves 3 but you could stretch this to 4 if you add lots of vegetables as side dishes.

I sometimes add cheese to the top and grill it and boy that works so well.

The Gourmet Burger Rub is from Spicentice use discount code JULES10 FOR 10% off any order press here https://bit.ly/2VYUZLG

by julessmithie

Sticky Sweet Chilli Chicken Nuggets

Another fantastic Meat Free Monday recipe and this one is not only super quick but super tasty too. I have made this vegetarian by using Quorn Chicken nuggets but you can use any chicken nuggets you like to suit what your family likes.

I served mine with a huge stir fry and noodles but this will work equally as well with rice. This really is the simplest recipe ever the only tip i have is when creating the sauce do not take your eyes off pan as the sauce reduces very quickly and you need to make sure you have enough left to coat the chicken.

by julessmithie

Sticky Hoisin Duck Stir Fry

What an absolute winner this was i really could not believe how good this vegetarian duck is. The biggest question is does it taste like duck – the short answer is yes! the texture was fantastic and it really does “mimick” duck well.

I decided to make a stir fry out of mine but you could use this as a basis for a Chinese Fakeaway, from frozed the duck i used takes 7 mins to cook perfect for a mid week meal too.

You can make this recipe using duck breast or leg cooked in a pan, grill pan, or an electric grill or in the oven – once cooked shred it with 2 forks and follow the below recipe.

Below is the duck i used which i purchased from Tesco but im sure Asda or other supermarkets will have it in stock.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Meatball Subs

This wasn’t supposed to be on my meal plan this week but when you wake up feeling not too good my advice is go for the easiest option if you have to cook- so meatball subs it is!

As you will see i have used sausages to make the meatballs with, this is purely down to the fact i did the food shopping on Wednesday the week before and meatball subs weren’t even on my radar. However, i have to admit they worked beautifully and when i make this again i will probably use the Richmond sausages you see in the video.

This recipe makes 4 portions and because there is just 2 of us i still have 2 portions left in the fridge patiently waiting for my second meal which will be spaghetti and meatballs – now don’t you just love the fact you have taken 10 minutes out to create meals for 2 days in the week! i know i do – this will also freeze well.

There is a meat version of slow cooker meatballs already on my website press here for the written recipe and how to video https://julesthelazycook.co.uk/2016/11/23/slow-cooker-meatballs/

by julessmithie

Cheesy Taco Gnocchi Bake

Another fantastic vegetarian meal we really enjoyed this one and it is super easy to make perfect for those days when you don’t have time to stand and cook for hours, this literally takes 15mins to get onto the table. My top tip for cooking gnocchi is don’t over cook it as soon as it floats to the top of a pan of boiling water remove it and drain it immediately.

The taco beans i used were in a spicy tomato sauce but to be honest i didn’t feel the sauce was spicy at all and once i added the vegetables to them i decided to add a teaspoon of paprika this is optional, as always taste and adjust to your liking.

Although this meal is part of my “meat free Monday ” series on instagram and facebook you can add meat to it if you wish Chicken, Minced Beef, Sausages or ham would work well.

You will notice in the video that i transferred the meal from the frying pan into an oven proof dish – this was for the end photograph only and when i make it again i will add the gnocchi to the frying pan top it with cheese and pop it under the grill. Making more washing up is not for me at all 😂😂😂😂🙈

by julessmithie

Vegetarian Enchiladas (Spicentice)

Oh my days what a treat these were i have never made enchiladas and definitely not made vegetarian ones lol. I used a spice kit from Spicentice which you can purchase from https://www.spicentice.com/ this is from their Vegan range but i made them vegetarian, use my discount code JULES20 for 20% off AD. But if you dont want to make them vegetarian and have leftover chicken from Sunday dinner this is a perfect way to use it up.

I decided to adapt the recipe on the Spicentice card as i wanted to make the meal a quick 15 minute mid week meal and it really didn’t take much longer than this to make. You will see i only made 3 enchiladas but had lots of mixture left over which will keep in the fridge for 4 days in an air tight container or you can freeze it, plus it doesn’t just have to be enchiladas it could be Taco’s, Burritos you could even add mash to the top and make it into a spicy shepherds pie.

by julessmithie

Tigg’s Bold Beetroot & Chickpea Falafel

My second recipe using these fantastic sauces by Tigg’s i loved the first recipe i created but this time i wanted to make one that could either be a Lunch or Dinner and falafel is easy to transport if you are taking lunches to work. However it also makes a brilliant evening meal , i served ours in flatbreads with salad and a small side of wedges. This also a perfect vegetarian meal for meat free Monday.

The Tigg’s sauce can be found in Tesco in the salad chiller isle but dont let that put you off its not for just dressing salads or burgers it makes a brilliant ingredient to add to recipes to get a fab depth of flavour.

Available in Tesco Salad Chiller Isle
by julessmithie

Creamy Cajun Pasta Bake

Another fantastic Vegetarian recipe but the reason i love this one is because its a brilliant way of using up any vegetables you have that are heading towards getting thrown in the bin! and as you know i hate food waste.

Its a really adaptable recipe and you can use whatever you like the key is taking your time to create the creamy sauce. The Cajun spice i used is from Spicentice im a huge fan of their spices and meal kits you can purchase these from https://www.spicentice.com/ use discount code JULES10 for 10% off any order (AD)

by julessmithie

Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff Gnocchi Bake

There is only one way to describe this meal and that is WOW for such a simple recipe it really does pack a punch and makes a perfect Meat Free Monday Meal.

You will see I used Tigg’s Mustard and Pepper Sauce this can be found in Tesco in the salad chiller isle BUT dont think thats all you can use it for as you will see i used it to create the stroganoff sauce and it works a treat as the sauce has a sweetness to it that lifts the dish perfectly. After using the Tigg’s sauce last night it has given me so many more ideas of ways to use it so watch this space – i would definitely recommend picking a bottle up.

https://videopress.com/v/dQ5MIFRS?preloadContent=metadata
by julessmithie

Meat Free Salt & Pepper Chicken

I have to say i am absolutely loving Meat Free Monday as its really challenging me to come up with new ideas and this one worked a treat perfect for the weekend when you fancy something naughty.

You will see in the video i have given an alternative to the Tesco meat free chicken i used as i think it was really high in syns but it did taste amazing and had a good texture to it, but use whichever chicken product you like.

Spice kit is from https://www.spicentice.com/?rfsn=3123019.0c61f4 use code JULES20 for 20% off any order #AD

by julessmithie

Sticky Tofu

Another successful vegetarian meal i have wanted to try Tofu for ages but i will admit was totally scared of how to use it as there are so many varying reports about it being difficult to work with and tasteless.

If you are going to try this recipe here are a couple of top tips – buy Firm or Extra Firm tofu as this has less liquid in it, also you must “press” the tofu this is to get as much liquid out as possible which then firms it up and makes it easier to handle. Pressing it basically means placing it under weights to get the liquid out – i used tins of soup to weight down a dish this works really well.

Also once the tofu is pressed it allows it to take on flavour and in this recipe it really took on the full flavour of the sauce.

by julessmithie

Vegetarian Sausage & Bean Casserole Slow Cooker

This is the first recipe I’ve created for a vegetarian meal and i have to say it was absolutely delicious. Moving forward im hoping to cook a meat free meal every Monday without always using meat substitutes such as quorn i want to be able to use all the other fantastic ingredients that i love such as beans and pulses.

With this recipe you can add your favourite sausages but if they are meat based then you need to add them at the beginning of the cooking, the one thing i noticed with vegetarian sausages if that they dont have the “firmness” of a meat based sausage. However the vegetarian sausages i used in the recipe were really good and i would definitely buy them again.

NOTE Once cooked taste the sauce if its too “tomatoey” sorry bad word but you get what i mean then add a couple of splashes of Worcester Sauce or the Vegetarian equivalent you could even add a dash of brown sauce basically you need to add some sugar / sweetness to calm the acidity of the tomatoes down.

by julessmithie

Spicentice Vegan Sausage Pie

Im a huge fan of Spicentice and was really excited to try out the new Vegan range they have created however, as i have said in the video for me personally moving to a vegan diet is just not for me but i have huge amounts of respect for anyone who makes changes to their lifestyle and diet.

The kit is supposed to be shepherds pie but after a vote on my Facebook page the finished meal as you will see is Vegetarian Sausage Pie and i have to say it was the right decision the end meal was delicious.

Moving forward im going to try and create 1 Vegetarian recipe per week and have 1 meat free day per week so these kits will really help me on this new venture.

Spice Kits are from https://www.spicentice.com/ use discount code Jules 20 for 20% off any order ( #ad)

by julessmithie

Pasta Quiche

A fantastic recipe for lunches or to snack on and it keeps really well in the fridge!

Use any flavour of pasta and sauce and as you will see in the video i made it up using water only and to be honest i think it works well.

You dont need to top it with cheese – but as you know i love cheese.

This is a fantastic recipe for using up all those bits of vegetables looking really sad in the fridge, also if you have chicken or ham leftover from Sunday dinner add that too.

When I have made this recipe in the past I have used Quark but this time (16th June 2021) I decided to use Greek Yogurt and it worked well or you can use half yogurt half primula cheese this also works.



by julessmithie

Sticky Sausages

Yay!!! i finally got around to making this recipe – one more ticked off my list 😃

I would say 95% of the time i cook from scratch but there are times when this is just not possible for a multitude of reasons – lets face it we all have those days when lack of energy or tiredness win out but that doesn’t mean we have to eat an off plan meal or something that is boring and here is a prime example of what i mean. In this video everything i used is from a packet – was it boring? No was it tasteless? No in fact quite the opposite, a really tasty meal that im sure you can adapt for all the family.

I used quorn sausages in this one but you could really use any you or the family like

by julessmithie