Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why would you allow an 11 year old to become a vegetarian?

I am not the OP, but I have never forced my kids to eat anything, and I certainly wouldn't start with forcing a child who doesn't want to eat meat to eat meat. It's psychologically not the same as "disliking mushrooms or broccoli."

It's one thing to not force a growing child to eat something. It is another to have to re-work the entire family's diet in response to their demands. Was this a decision that she discussed with you first, or did she declare it?

I make exactly the same meals as always, just with the meat on the side. If the meat needs to be mixed in, I do it at the very end of the recipe, after setting aside a non-meat portion.

Anonymous wrote:
Why would you allow an 11 year old to become a vegetarian?

I am not the OP, but I have never forced my kids to eat anything, and I certainly wouldn't start with forcing a child who doesn't want to eat meat to eat meat. It's psychologically not the same as "disliking mushrooms or broccoli."

Why would you allow an 11 year old to become a vegetarian?

My 10yo loves the Trader Joe’s beefless beef crumbles. I usually do a baked ziti type of dish with them every couple of weeks. She’ll take leftovers heated up to school the next day too. Black bean and cheese quesadillas are also easy. She’ll have avacado and tomatoes on the side.

This is great! I was 12 when I made the decision to become vegetarian. My mom happily adapted recipes for me but thought it was a phase. I am still in that phase 50 years later!

My family is mostly vegetarian with two kids, one who fully embraces it and one who deals. Some things everyone enjoys:
- bowls of any shape and variety. Protein + grain + fun sauce + a bunch of different veggie toppings. Everyone gets to make their own.
- Asian noodle soup with lots of veggies and tofu
- tacos with rice, black beans, lots of guacamole
- Greek salads
- crispy chick peas added to anything!

Tofu, veggie nuggets, etc.

Air Fry or bake tofu - just drain some firm tofu (towel or gadget), salt, garlic powder, onion powder and what ever she likes, pam/olive oil and cook. We usually air fry as its quick and easy.

Tacos with black beans and squash, or mushrooms

Falafel sandwiches

Roasted vegetables

Vegetarian shepherd's pie is fun to make with the veggie crumbles, if she likes that kind of wintery food

Butternut squash-apple soup, salad, crusty bread

Basically lots of soups: vegetarian chili, cheesy vegetable chowder (Cooking Classy recipe using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock), potato leek

Eggplant parmesan

Cheese quesadillas with sides of vegetarian refried beans and sauteed red peppers/green peppers/onions; you can add black olives to the quesadillas if your family likes those

Breakfast for dinner: scrambled eggs, tater tots, veggie sausage, asparagus

Vegetable lasagna or roasted vegetable lasagna

Vegetarian "empanadas": Fake meat crumbles with mirepoix and some seasoning/a bit of Worcestershire, put the "meat" mixture in a pie crust, fold over/pinch, make a few vents with a knife, and bake

Anonymous wrote:DD has decided to become a vegetarian. She'll happily eat bread/cheese/pasta, and I've tried to make some bean/lentil recipies. But anything kid-friendly that you're kids loved?

I would encourage your dd to help finding recipes.

What do you usually cook in your family? It might be easier to suggest vegetarian food with guidance about what your family usually eats and what your daughter likes to eat, in general.

My vegetarian DS eats eggs and tofu a lot and whatever sides the rest of the family is having for dinner on many nights.

A few types of dishes that my kids like -

Soups (served with salad, or sandwich, or roll or something similar, depending on how hearty the soup is) - tomato soup, red lentil soup with vegetables, broccoli cheddar soup, minestrone, vegetarian "chickn" noodle soup (cubes of baked tofu instead of chicken, and veggie broth instead of chicken broth), chili.

Burrito bowls - with black beans, rice, toppings of choice (avocado, lettuce, cheese, salsa, sauteed peppers and red onion) (or similar ingredients, but in burritos or as soft tacos)

Fried rice (brown rice, veggies, eggs); stir fry vegetables with tofu and rice.

Spaghetti with eggplant parmesan, or with roasted cauliflower "steaks". Spinach/cheese stuffed shells (Eating Well recipe). Roasted vegetable baked ziti (Cookie and Kate recipe).

Spinach quiche (Once Upon a Chef's recipe) (My younger one doesn't like quiche, but the older one does).

DD has decided to become a vegetarian. She'll happily eat bread/cheese/pasta, and I've tried to make some bean/lentil recipies. But anything kid-friendly that you're kids loved?