It is hard for a non-vegetarian to picture a delicious meal without a component of meat. Moreover, the diverse Indian cuisine is replete with luscious meaty dishes that one can devour. In such a scenario, the vegetarian delights tend to take a back seat. However, the meat-lovers are unaware of the flavours that certain veg dishes can add to their meal and tantalise their taste buds. Interestingly, certain vegetables like jackfruit, soya and mushrooms have a texture and taste that similar to meat which makes them their vegetarian counterparts.
What all can you make with these vegetables, you ask? From an indulgent biryani to a spicy masala, there are plenty of dishes you can make with these meatless items. Here are some recipes that you can try today.
1. Kathal Biryani
If you’re an ardent fan of this one-pot dish, then you shouldn’t miss out on its meatless version. The biryani replaces meat with kathal aka jackfruit and gives a delicious rice meal. While jackfruit is a nutritious vegetable, it is has a meat-like flavour that makes it suitable for biryani. Kathal and rice are slow-cooked together, with a plethora of spices which lend it the aroma and flavour. The biryani can be served hot alongside a bowl of raita.
2. Mushroom Masala
For the unversed, mushrooms are not a vegetable but classified as edible fungi that can be dunked into masalas and curries. The good part about mushrooms is that they are a great substitute for meat. The chewy texture and ability to absorb the flavour of spices is what makes mushrooms perfect for meat eaters. The mushrooms are cooked in a spice blend of cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and turmeric powder, along with tomato puree, onions and more.
3. Soya Nutri Gravy
Soya or soyabean is the most commonly-eaten vegetarian meat. The chunky soya is dunked into a pool of curry and cooked with spices. While the tomatoes and onions are cooked together in water, they form a semi-thick gravy. The soya chunks are soaked in water and then thrown into this curry. Garnished with kasuri methi and fresh coriander leaves, soya gravy can be paired with both rice and chapatti.
4.Mix Vegetable Korma
By origin, korma is a meat-intensive dish. Traditionally made with meat cooked in yoghurt sauce, this one has loads of vegetables in it. Given the origins of korma during the Mughal era, the rich taste and texture of the dish is a result of that. Veggies like potatoes, carrots, green beans, onions and tomatoes are cooked together in a rich gravy made with yoghurt and flavoured with coconut. This yellow curry is best eaten with naan.
5. Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
This one will be a double dose of meatless meat. Many may not know this but chickpeas are sometimes used as meat substitutes. They have a smooth and slightly sweet flavour which makes them delicious alternatives. Cauliflower too, is sometimes used as a meat substitute. The mild taste of cauliflower, when cooked properly, in this recipe of chickpea curry, lend a delectable taste that won’t make meat eaters miss the chicken.
6. Eggplant Curry
Also known as bharwan baigan, this curry is made with eggplants or brinjals. The smooth and velvety texture of this vegetable makes it an ideal meat substitute. When stuffed with hot and fiery spices, the eggplants turn into a spicy meat that is then cooked with in a curry. Made with tomatoes and onions, the curry is prepared and these eggplants take on the juicy flavour of the gravy.
From kathal biryani to bharwan baigan, there are plenty of vegetarian recipes that a meat-eater will enjoy as much or even more than a vegetarian. Make your pick and decide which meatless recipe are you going to try this weekend.