Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We make something we call the many-berry salad — spring mix (or could be spinach and/or arugula), balsamic vinaigrette (with garlic & mustard), (candied) pecans or walnuts, goat cheese (plain or herbed), and whatever mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries we have on hand.

Fruit and salads/greens are easy ways to get the tomato/cheese/carb loving vegetarian to branch out (BTDT).
Roasted veggies (broccoli, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, cherry or grape tomatoes, kale, onions, fennel) also worked well. And all of these are quick/easy/integrate well as part of more omnivorous meals.

These are great ideas. I also like the baked potato with fixins option - I made a lot of veggies in cheese sauce, but you can make them without the cheese, can add some meat for those who partake, etc. Swap out sweet potatoes for the regular baking potatoes for a healthier option.

Last night I made buffalo cauliflower and it was easy and delicious. Not usually a main dish but it was satisfying enough that two of us - me and my meat eating husband - had it for our whole meal, with some cut up peppers and celery on the side.

Veggies and hummus is the easiest possible meal you could have - you can make your own hummus and pita if you're feeling ambitious.

I really like this homemade veggie burger recipe: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-black-bean-burgers/

I think I might have gotten it from someone on DCUM, actually.

Anonymous wrote:A lot of meatless dishes here, but isn't being a vegetarian more complicated than just avoiding meat? Don't you need to substitute something for the protein in meat? Combine to make complete proteins etc? Especially for growing kids. Or am I wrong?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

Among my DD friends around 11 or 12 years old there are so many brand new vegetarians! I wonder what it is about this age?

Possibly they're old enough to realize the environmental, ethical and health implications of eating meat once they get to that age.

Anonymous wrote:We make something we call the many-berry salad — spring mix (or could be spinach and/or arugula), balsamic vinaigrette (with garlic & mustard), (candied) pecans or walnuts, goat cheese (plain or herbed), and whatever mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries we have on hand.

Fruit and salads/greens are easy ways to get the tomato/cheese/carb loving vegetarian to branch out (BTDT).
Roasted veggies (broccoli, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, cherry or grape tomatoes, kale, onions, fennel) also worked well. And all of these are quick/easy/integrate well as part of more omnivorous meals.

Anonymous wrote:Ignore all the “make her find her own recipes” and “why let this happen” posters. Geez, I hate cooking, but I would not stop my kid from wanting to be healthy.

I suggest trying different types of vegetarian chili. A lot of them are easy to make, and they can be frozen in individual portions for when you need something for other nights.

We often do pasta with a meat on the side. We do not even have vegetarians in our household, just different preferences for pasta/ meat ratio

Stir-fry can be pretty kid friendly. You could just cook the meat separately.

My son will eat yellow Goya rice and black beans (I add cumin, onion, and garlic). It’s the side I use when I know he might not like the main dish. Very easy and hearty enough to work as a main dish.

Look at the post for a mezzo menu. That would work well, as a lot of those items are or can be vegetarian.

You might also want to start looking at protein content of breads, pastas, even snacks. They can range by a lot, so buying a higher protein content version will help ensure your kid gets enough protein.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ignore all the “make her find her own recipes” and “why let this happen” posters. Geez, I hate cooking, but I would not stop my kid from wanting to be healthy.

I suggest trying different types of vegetarian chili. A lot of them are easy to make, and they can be frozen in individual portions for when you need something for other nights.

We often do pasta with a meat on the side. We do not even have vegetarians in our household, just different preferences for pasta/ meat ratio

Stir-fry can be pretty kid friendly. You could just cook the meat separately.

My son will eat yellow Goya rice and black beans (I add cumin, onion, and garlic). It’s the side I use when I know he might not like the main dish. Very easy and hearty enough to work as a main dish.

Look at the post for a mezzo menu. That would work well, as a lot of those items are or can be vegetarian.

You might also want to start looking at protein content of breads, pastas, even snacks. They can range by a lot, so buying a higher protein content version will help ensure your kid gets enough protein.

I was one of the posters that said "encourage your dd to help plan" not as a punishment but, as a learning tool. If the dd found some recipes they could cook it together and bond. What's wrong with that?

DP Here. It’s just annoying when OP asks for recipe ideas and people hassle her about how she should parent her kid. Why can’t people just be satisfied with offering recipes in the food forum?

Anonymous wrote:

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

Why wouldn't you? Mine have been vegetarian since birth. Oh the horror. Our pets are vegetarian too.

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?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

At least she doesn't have to cook for you. My kid also wanted to become a vegetarian until she realized she would be eating vegetables and then she stopped. I would have fully supported this btw ( veggies)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ignore all the “make her find her own recipes” and “why let this happen” posters. Geez, I hate cooking, but I would not stop my kid from wanting to be healthy.

I suggest trying different types of vegetarian chili. A lot of them are easy to make, and they can be frozen in individual portions for when you need something for other nights.

We often do pasta with a meat on the side. We do not even have vegetarians in our household, just different preferences for pasta/ meat ratio

Stir-fry can be pretty kid friendly. You could just cook the meat separately.

My son will eat yellow Goya rice and black beans (I add cumin, onion, and garlic). It’s the side I use when I know he might not like the main dish. Very easy and hearty enough to work as a main dish.

Look at the post for a mezzo menu. That would work well, as a lot of those items are or can be vegetarian.

You might also want to start looking at protein content of breads, pastas, even snacks. They can range by a lot, so buying a higher protein content version will help ensure your kid gets enough protein.

I was one of the posters that said "encourage your dd to help plan" not as a punishment but, as a learning tool. If the dd found some recipes they could cook it together and bond. What's wrong with that?