When the revolution comes I will be able to pass as a vegetarian!

[tekobo]

My husband's away for a few days and I decided to try being a vegetarian teetotaller while I was on my own. Otherwise known as drying out and slimming down.

The only problem is that my Texan girlfriend was in town for just one night and I had lured her to dinner with a picture of a nice T-bone steak. She arrived with this tea towel for me but quickly got with the programme and we had a lovely evening, sober at dinner for the first time in our acquaintance.  

I tried out some BBQ recipes from Francis Mallman's Green Fire and they were all a success, washed down with homemade lemonade.  I didn't get photos of the fennel and spring onions on the konro grill but this one, shows cooked black beans and broad beans getting some char.  It made the black beans a bit crunchy and very tasty. 

Next came the smashed potatoes, grilled with a fennel seed and fennel pollen topping - intended to replicate the flavours of a porchetta and... it worked!

The beans were mixed up with the grilled fennel and spring onions and a bit of vinegar and oil to make the centrepiece salad which we ate with our smashed potatoes.  Surprisingly filling.  

Dessert was one of the weirdest things I have ever made.  Grilled stone fruit - I used a plum, a peach and a nectarine - with grilled Raclette cheese!  Texan was NOT weirded out.  We considered what it might need to lift it.  She suggested white balsamic vinegar.  It was the perfect match.  And yes, I know the picture is not the best but I promise you it was tasty. In fact, I am coming round to thinking that I can eat less meat and still enjoy a meal.  Shock!  Horror.

 

 

[C6Bill]

Where's the beef !!!!!!

 

Sorry, i couldn't help it 🤣

[MacKenzie]

I know it was a fun meal, Tekobo. 

[Tyrus]

Nah, ain't gonna happen 

[tekobo]

So...after three days off the booze and eating in a restricted time window, this vegetarian lark seems to be working.  I am sleeping better and have lost a little girth and a little weight.  @Tyrus is right, I won't ever pass for a vegetarian with two freezers full of meat in the house but I am discovering the benefits of not loading every meal with meat and sides and washing it all down with wine at every opportunity.  Baby steps.  I can't be bothered with a diet but if I can make some sustainable changes I will be happy.

[Tyrus]

2 hours ago, tekobo said:

 I can't be bothered with a diet but if I can make some sustainable changes I will be happy.

Decisions, decisions.  Should I go left or should I go right, whatever you do Tekebo we wish you the best. I do have to admit it was an imaginitive meal, just don't shake the tree so hard.

[MacKenzie]

Tekobo, I totally agree with this plan, "I can't be bothered with a diet but if I can make some sustainable changes I will be happy." 👍👍

[Tyrus]

Wait, it's not the end, I found them, they're here.

[Tucker]

I LOVE the towel!
Going to get a sign made for my pavilion 

[tekobo]

@Tucker I did a quick google search and it appears the sentiment is well known and available on posters and T-shirts in the US.  With the growing number of vegans in the UK I don't think I'll be walking down the street in one of those T-shirts anytime soon but I might just spring for an apron.  

[Tucker]

@tekobo - Thanks, I did the same. I have  Niece who is making me a sign. 

[Tucker]

here are a couple of shirts for amusement. LOVE the BBQ shirt, it is worn by the BBQ employees.................................................................