[Closed] Vegetarian/pescatarian recipe ideas for kids

As her Dad, and in reflection of the word “wants”, I’d be have a polite educational word with her about the current situation we find ourselves in and her gratitude to be eating what you can currently find in the shops.

Sorry to sound overly harsh.

Edit: Just to add and IAMAE on this of course, but would variation of diet be healthiest for a growing kids at that age?  She’s not far off being a teen and the related hormones / growth, I would have though a full healthy diet where possible should be encouraged.

I'll ask my sister with a similar 8yr old who has recently gone pesci. My sister is a life long veggie herself so has taken it all in her stride.

From our day to day adult food menu.....

butterbean and pesto peppers.
Halve a pepper down the middle and remove inner pith and seeds but leave the half stalk in place. Mix a drained tin of butter beans with a couple of generous tablespoons of pesto and say half a tablespoon of olive oil. You can get faffy at this point and add finely chopped black olive and sun dried tomatoes into the mix but I suspect wasted on a 10yr old. Fill the pepper halves with the mix and sprinkle grated cheese on for the non vegans. That butterbean mixed with a full can is enough for 4 pepper halves easily so way too much for one 10yr old. Place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 180 deg for 20-25 mins until the cheese is a bit browned and the pepper has cooked.

Serve with salad & carb of your choice (for us that would be some cous cous) but obvious would be what everyone else is having. 5 mins prep - pretty cheap. Butter beans pretty good source of protien.

Is she still too fussy for that? I'll use that as a litmus test for further recommendations.

It is my experience that kids that make this decision have a bit more awareness and openness as to what they eat than your average kid - you might be surprised what she'll go for.

For easy attractive (for kids too) vegan food try the Bosh books.

I would have though a full healthy diet where possible should be encouraged.

Whereas I believe that letting her make her own choices is a good thing. We know this won't last (not this time, although I do know her love for all things living will make her fully vegetarian at a point in the future) so we are willing to let her try.

Edit: Just to add and IAMAE on this of course, but would variation of diet be healthiest for a growing kids at that age? She’s not far off being a teen and the related hormones / growth, I would have though a full healthy diet where possible should be encouraged.

here we go - the ignorant, poorly educated homespun nutritionists are out on the 2nd post 🙂

Spag bol with a decent veggie/vegan mince substitute can be very pleasant. I also use more fresh veg than mince. It can be blended if fussy kids prefer a slurry - I don't though.

Incorporate veg like broccoli and cauliflower in macaroni cheese.

here we go – the ignorant, poorly educated homespun nutritionists are out on the 2nd post.

Thats a bit harsh convert, I stated I was no expert and what’s ignorant about “healthy”?  All I’m asking is that with respect to the kids age the OP recognises her needs.  I’m sure he’s capable of doing so and making an appropriate choice.

cha****ng - yeah we do make a slightly spicy tomato pasta with lots of extra veg which she likes. She struggles with minced meat types of textures (this is a 'thing' based on sensitivity issues she has always had) so we'd not bother with substitutes though.

She does like humous so I am going to try some fresh stuff this week.

Pretty much all the kid favourites, Spag bol, chilli, tacos, that sort of stuff can be made equally nice just by leaving out the mince. If she's OK with spices than there's a ton of curries with lentils. Stir fry is a good one, noodles with veg. Eggs and chips, jacket spuds with cheese and beans. those were all my go-to for kids meals.

My kids are younger (and fully veggie) but staples are mac & cheese (with extra peas/sweetcorn/cauli/broccoli etc), pilafs, tagine, mushroom stroganoff, and a range of veg Indian stuff.

Quorn occasionally for a bit of variety.

I would have though a full healthy diet where possible should be encouraged.

Ignorance is bliss. It's entirely possible to have a healthy diet as a vegetarian, probably even healthier than adding meat into the mix.

Home made pizza is an obvious one, there's endless veggie pasta dishes too.

Best of luck to the little one. 👏🏻

Ignorance is bliss. It’s entirely possible to have a healthy diet as a vegetarian, probably even healthier than adding meat into the mix.

I think a couple of people are determined to have an argument this morning - I didn’t state it wasn’t.  I have a diary and soy allergic son so on a different basis have faced the nutritional challenge.

I’d second pizza’s, the kids have a lot of fun making those.  Also with the Houmous, it’s far cheaper to make your own and you can vary the flavours with vegetable inclusions.  Mrs K makes a good slow - cooked vegetarian casserole also, within which some staples like potato and sweet potato can be added to general vegetables of course, and omelettes for breakfast.  She’s also made a vegetarian non dairy kind of Wellington with a vegetable loaf in the middle - served with gravy.  I’ll ask here where she got the recipe, I’m sure she uses a web site for some of these.

Being West Indian she also varies fish - fried flying fish and snapper in the main - which provide variety as does plaintain and dumplings.  You can take inspiration from worldly dishes.

I’d second pizza’s, the kids have a lot of fun making those.

Yeah we now do that every Saturday (a recent 'lockdown' treat, followed by a family film).

Fish fingers, chips (or home made potato wedges) and peas (mushy, processed or garden- your choice), surely? Just bang everything in the oven and nuke the peas when everything's hot.

it would be prohibitively expensive to feed her fresh fish every night

would it? is fresh fish way more expensive than fresh meat per portion?

so I’d welcome some simple ‘everyday’ ideas where we can use frozen/tinned fish

most dishes that use fresh fish can work perfectly well with frozen. Tinned tuna, salmon, obviously work well in pasta bakes. Tinned salmon and mackerel work well in pate's. Anchovies, pilchards etc work well on flatbreads to make something a bit like a pizza but with more variety. I've not tried it but suspect you could griddle tinned sardines and get OK results.

as well as vegetarian ideas.

My general experience is if they get involved in making it they will be less fussy eating it (even more so if they help grow it in the first place). Lockdown seems a good time for that. It also seems a good way to "prove" the commitment to whatever special request comes your way.

However there are too many variables here - e.g. mushrooms, beans, pulses are all great bases to add flavour to with spices, herbs etc - but are also things people are often fussy about.

would it? is fresh fish way more expensive than fresh meat per portion?

Apart from Salmon, most fresh fish is more expensive and he loves fresh tuna which costs about the same as fillet steak per kg (fresh cod is approx 1/2 the cost and fresh chicken is around 1/5 of the price)! And meat is available in cheaper ways (such as sausages and bacon). We can't just feed her fish fingers every night 🙂

most dishes that use fresh fish can work perfectly well with frozen.

Yeah I have discussed that with my wife - certainly for things like pasta bakes - there is a creamy tomato pasta dish we sometimes do with bacon which I am sure would work just as well with frozen fish.

My son loves a paneer curry. I make it quite hot for adults but for him I soften onions and garlic add some other veg, any really and tomatoes with Garam Masala, cook for a bit, blend the sauce add chopped up paneer, then some peas. Quorn chunks can be used to rather than paneer.

Good old curries I’d look at. As her Dad I’d say you’ll do best what’s best for your daughter, even in present climate where fruit and veg is easily available.

Definitely going to try paneer (and potato) curries - she loves curry. She also loved a Mediterranean lemon and garlic crusted cod we did at the weekend.

I think a couple of people are determined to have an argument this morning – I didn’t state it wasn’t.

to be fair you started it and you pretty much did state it was!

....' but would variation of diet be healthiest for a growing kids at that age? She’s not far off being a teen and the related hormones / growth, I would have thought a full healthy diet where possible should be encouraged.'

I know it's a forum and we all get to have an opinion on everything but if as you claim you are no expert I'm not sure why you felt you needed to put the statement in the first place especially if you tend to feel a bit hurt when called on your comment being a crock. It you wanted to ask a question, pose it as one.

Anyway....

Yes, the suggestion of getting involved in the cooking is a great one.

Would she be up for fish pie? Fist pie mix in the supermarket is often a good bit cheaper than fillets/steaks of fish.

On the veggie/vegan side and more processed than raw ingredients but arguably less than quorn - there are some great bean burgers etc now. The newish plant chef range at Tesco is good.

Would she be up for fish pie?

Yeah she likes fish pie 🙂

That would probably be better than fist pie! 🙂

Black bean tacos are a favourite in our house, made a mixed bean mex mix last week, which I made a tortilla lasagne with, was lush.

There's so many good resources online now, but I still like a cookbook. Joe wicks veggie book is nice n simple, pinch of nom very good too, not all veggie but lots of it.

I tend to avoid veggie food that imitates meat, but McCartney mozzarella burgers are very good.

That would probably be better than fist pie!

Memories... 😂

Anyway, have a pesci (pun intended) wife and a boy who’s not keen on meat. I’ve been through the various veggie minces and I’ve found the stuff from Meatless Farm Co. to be a pretty good substitute. It’s always in our Sainsbury’s - not sure about other supermarkets. Onions, mushrooms garlic or anything you fancy really mixed in with an egg and breadcrumbs - make into balls, fry then add to a tomato sauce & pasta. Our fella devours them and I quite like them myself. They have a nice springy texture and hold together really well. Forms burgers quite well too - just have to cook them quickly as they can dry out.

At Scouts the other month we were making spag bol, when one of the kids announced that they were veggie with no prior warning. So, instead, we made carrot bol; exactly the same but using a load of diced carrots, sautéed off a bit with the onions, instead of mince. It was really nice.

My oldest(15) is a veggie, so I adapt most meals for her. I generally start with a base then add meat later.

Curry - good things to add in are chopped baby corns, dried lentils and cauliflower. Instead of paneer I often cube halloumi, rub in tikka paste & olive oil, then roast for 20 min & add to the top. Plus fresh homemade naan.

5 bean chilli.

Spaghetti bolognese without mince - smoked paprika is good for flavour.

Stir fry noodles - veg of choice plus garlic/soy/honey/sweet chilli sauce.

Fishcakes made from tinned fish, tinned potatoes even to teach her early student cheap food tricks many things to add to the mix to spice it up, some Mick Sturbs maybe

Okay here goes, 2 daughters in our house, 13 & 10, littlest gave up meat about a year ago due to cruelty thoughts. It's a pain but I said I'd support her and bless her so far she's stuck with it.

I can't be bothered cooking separate meals so "most" of the time we all eat veggie or adapt a meal around it. The eldest is a bit fussy and her favourite dinner is Bolognese so it's been a challenge cooking to suit everybody!

To be fair, we've all eaten better because of her choice..

These are our go too dinners...

1. Sausage / Mash / Brocoli & Onion gravy - Linda Mc sausages are alright, in fact they are good!, we all have 'em or sometimes I cook normal & veggie sausages. Easy dish, everybody happy. (Also the LM mozzarella burgers are nice)

2. Tuna Pasta bake - Pinch of nom recipe loaded with veg / caugettes etc. Easy food, pretty healthy - Winner!

3. Quorn nuggets! ( i know you said not but...) with any veg & beans etc..- Life saver last minute can't be arsed dinner, not great but must be better than chicken eyelids and feet based nuggets and I reckon taste better.

4. Spaghetti Bol. - So this is a 2 part meal, make the ragu as normal, fry the beef separate, split the Ragu for veggie and meat and so on, you can put quoin mince in the veggie ragu which we've done or just extra mushrooms. Either way all eat together and eldest gets her favourite meal still

5. Pizza! - Don't judge me but its easy and lots of veggie options, sometimes fresh Ooni cooked, sometime just the crap from the supermarket.

6. Curry! - Just make it up

7. Pinch on Nom Veggie burgers. - Really nice, really easy to make although mine tend to fall apart so i've started adding egg to the mix.

8. Leek & Potato soup, fry leeks in butter add to pan, boil potatoes, blend...

9. Homemade Mac & Cheese

10. Rumbledethumps, basically potatoes, swede, cabbage and cheese...lots of cheese... Google it, CBA typing out the recipe but we all enjoy it....

Here it is:

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/mushroom-and-squash-vegetarian-wellington/

In our case we substitute the diary, but it makes a great Sunday dinner!

Whereas I believe that letting her make her own choices is a good thing.

while I agree mostly to that statement, kids are ignorant and can't really make proper informed choices for a lot of things. Heck lots of adults can't either.

To the OP - if you are going down the route of veggie food make sure your daughter is getting supplements of the nutrients she will be missing by not eating meat. There are plenty of meals you can make without meat. If you look at your own diet, do you eat meat every night? I don't and I'm not a veggie.

Fishcakes made from tinned fish

This! OH made some with tinned mackerel and scooped-out left over jacket spud for our dinner today, they were lush. The tatie skins weren't wasted, he cracked an egg into them and grilled them next to the fishcakes 😎

Vegetable lasagne homemade bechamel sauce, nice cheese, might make that today

Meatless spag bol sauce is very good

What does she eat already? Adapt her regular diet as a starting point?

We want to avoid processed foods so things like quorn nuggets aren’t on the cards (apart from occasional quick meals I guess).

I wonder how many people would dismiss stuff like Quorn or TVP as "processed" but would cheerfully chow down on Tesco Value sausages.

I had this argument a couple of weeks ago (I can't remember who with so apologies if it's you and we're retreading old ground) but what do you mean by "processed"? What's processed about Quorn nuggets in a way that frozen burgers aren't, is something inherently bad because it's grown inside a factory rather than grown inside a pig? For that matter, what about cheese?

She struggles with minced meat types of textures (this is a ‘thing’ based on sensitivity issues she has always had) so we’d not bother with substitutes though.

On this,

As a kid I also struggled with "meat-like textures." It took me going veggie to realise that the problem I had wasn't directly the texture but the fact that I was chewing meat.

Obviously you / she will know better than I, I'm just saying don't immediately rule it out as she might take to (eg) Quorn in a way she doesn't with meat.

If she likes fennel this is one of my go to recipes and is very quick and easy to make;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/fennel_and_feta_linguini_59137

Instead of paneer I often cube halloumi, rub in tikka paste & olive oil, then roast for 20 min & add to the top.

Sounds good I'm going to try that. My impression is that paneer is healthier than salty halloumi so we dont have it that often...I could be wrong though.

If she wants to give up meat why feed her fish?

I’ve found that the Richmond meat free sausage taste better than their “real” counterpart.
Perfect when you want a cheeky saussy sandwich

If she wants to give up meat why feed her fish?

Its ok to eat fish as they dont have any feelings.

If she wants to give up meat why feed her fish?

Because that is the choice she has made. We aren’t moralising either way (or ‘feeding her’), just supporting her in her decision.

Because that is the choice she has made. We aren’t moralising either way (or ‘feeding her’), just supporting her in her decision.

Good work.

She'll better articulate and reason her choices in time. It took me 20 odd years to go from a mildly confused pesci who could not quite fathom why he'd made that decision to becoming vegan. It might be achingly trendy to be a 'fussy eater' but there has never been a time that it has been easier to accommodate and the knowledge of correct nutrition as easy to find.

Fry garlic and cherry tomatoes til the tomatoes break down add frozen king prawns, serve with pasta. LUSH!

1. Google Chef John’s ‘best damn vegan chilli’

Easy, delicious. Dial back the chilli powder to a few teaspoons (or zero if don’t want) as he puts loads in. If you can get the Gran Luchito refried beans in the orange pack it works out economical too.

Also try making it using brown lentils.

Serve with rice or in wraps with salad and sour cream.

2. This soup/stew is nutritional, delicious, easy and economical:

https://www.produceonparade.com/produce-on-parade/copycat-amys-lentil-soup

Serve on it’s own, or with garlic bread and side salad or as a stew with whatever.

3. Trout. My favourite fish to eat. And not expensive. Serve with green beans/french beans, baby tomatoes grilled, a little rice salad or potatoes.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/235851/how-to-cook-trout/

but would variation of diet be healthiest for a growing kids at that age? She’s not far off being a teen and the related hormones / growth, I would have though a full healthy diet where possible should be encouraged.

A pescatarian diet can be one of the healthiest and most varied diets imaginable. Same for vegan and vegetarian. Of course, anyone could also eat nothing other than packets of crisps yet still be classed as either ‘vegetarian’ or ‘meat-eater’ dependent upon what crisps they buy 🤣😂

You might be surprised how many ‘full healthy diets’ of militant meat-eaters consist of processed, frozen MRM ‘nuggets’, burgers, and a week’s worth of other beige stuff, ie pasta, chips and smiley face fried, potatoes with baked beans for ‘veg’. Especially in times such as these.

A balanced diet of fish, grains, fresh fruit and veg, pulses nuts and legumes would be many times healthier than your average Brit diet.

OP - fish pie is an obvious one.

Lunches:

Tuna and salad wraps is a favourite of mine.

Sardines in tomato sauce on toast

here we go – the ignorant, poorly educated homespun nutritionists are out on the 2nd post 🙂

My thoughts exactly.

My 5'6" 12 year old has been vegetarian all his life. Imaging how tall he'd be if we fed him properly!

Linda Mc sausages are alright, in fact they are good

*Edit (removed my comment as I see the recipe has changed, yet to try them!)

I do know that LM frozen sausage rolls are IMO really good, taste just like 1970s homme-made sos rolls. Even taste great when the have gone cold and fatty 👍🏼 Better than the Greggs vegan ones.