Meatless Monday, the global movement that encourages people to eat completely meat-free meals once a week, has gained speed and followers over the past several years. Some people have taken on the Meatless Monday challenge for environmental reasons, and others are using it as a way to get creative in the kitchen and introduce healthier, meatless meals into their monthly meal canon. Others are participating because it's cheaper to eat vegetarian, even if only for one day per week.
Meatless Mondays are much easier to pull off than you'd think. All you need is a bit of inspiration and a quick trip to the grocery store - and we can take care of the inspiration.
1. Buckwheat Kasha with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms. This hearty grain dish is Russian in origin and will leave you satisfied for hours. If you like things spicy, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne as you caramelize the onions.
2. Eggplant Parmesan. This is the classic vegetarian alternative dish. It's just as delicious as its veal and chicken parmesan cousins, and it's significantly better for you. Plus, it's loaded with tomato sauce and cheese, what could be better?
3. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. A vegetarian-friendly version of buffalo wings, these bites are addictive and delicious. They're a perfect appetizer, but you can also make a meal out of them by serving with salad and some crusty bread.
4. Caribbean Sweet Potato Patties with Spinach Coconut Sauce. These will inspire you to always keep looking for new flavors to try. They're full of spices and warming flavors, and you'll love them so much that you might just end up making a double portion next time.
5. Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli. Because adding broccoli makes it healthy, right?
6. Baked Eggs in Hash Brown Cups. Breakfast for dinner is always a fun meal twist for the week, and baking eggs in hash brown cups is an impressive way to bring these breakfast-y ingredients to the dinner table. Serve with hot sauce or maybe some hollandaise.
7. Sundried Tomato, Mushroom, Garlic and Basil Pasta. This gorgeous, flavorful pasta is best when made with fresh basil instead of dried to add brightness to the hearty dish.
8. Pad Thai Summer Rolls. Summer rolls sometimes contain shrimp or chicken in rice paper packets, but these are filled with vegetarian pad thai. They're spicy-sweet and a little sour, and you'll love them.
9. Honey Sesame Tofu. This takeout-style tofu is good enough to convert any tofu hater into a believer.
10. Spinach in Puff Pastry. This impressive dish is best served with a Greek salad, full of tomatoes, onions, cucumber and feta.