Recently, my husband and I watched the movie “Forks Over Knives“. We eat pretty healthfully, but this film stuck with us and we found ourselves discussing our diet quite a bit. The fact is, we could both stand to lose a few pounds, eating “cleaner” could be a great way to potentially treat some of our lame-o medical issues and also, we’re both up for the culinary challenge so, we decided to go Meatless for the Month of May!
We immediately began trying meatless recipes to experiment with the concept and still afford the “luxury” of saying, “Well, It’s not May yet…”
But starting today, anything with a mother (minus eggs) shall not be consumed in the Rad Household! At least for the next 31 days.
To kick off this meat-free month, I wanted to share the first recipe I made as a “practice” vegetarian. Incidentally, it’s one I’ve been craving since first making it: Spicy Chickpea and Cactus Tacos.
Chickpea Filling:
1 15 oz can chickpeas + 1/2 cup dried black chick peas (found at Whole Foods)
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 Lime
1 Tbsp Paprika
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
Cactus Filling:
2 fresh Nopales Cactus leaves (spikes removed completely)
1 clove garlic
1 medium onion
1 large carrot, or 5 small carrots, chopped
Salsa:
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 Lime
Dash Garlic salt
Optional Taco-toppers:
Lettuce to taste
Avocado to taste
Spicy Feta Cheese
(1 c. feta cheese, 1 Serrano chili chopped, 2 Tbsp. olive oil; mix all 3 ingredients together and let sit for 10 minutes)
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.
Soak the dry, black chickpeas in water overnight, and then cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. Gently coat the canned and black chickpeas with olive oil, lime juice, paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic salt and bake, uncovered, for 20 mins.
While the chickpeas cook, remove all spikes from cactus thoroughly and slice into thin pieces. Place cactus pieces in shallow pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels, chop into smaller, bite-sized cubes and then sauté with olive oil, chopped onions, garlic and carrots and any remaining sauce from chickpea recipe. Add lime juice to taste.
Combine ingredients for salsa, and serve chick peas, cactus and salsa separately. Combine flavors into one taco and garnish with spicy feta cheese.
Savor.
So far, I’m very excited about this month of meatlessness. Last night my husband and I went out for one last meaty bite (chicken tacos at one of our favorite local spots) and we both ended up with upset tummies. Maybe because we hadn’t eaten any meat in over a week? It was a great way to confirm that we are both committed to a Meatless May.
I will be sharing more of my favorite vegetarian recipes this month and keeping you posted on our meat-free progress! Feel free to share your favorite recipes with me in the comments! I’d really appreciate hearing from my vegetarian and vegan readers this month!
Thank you for your support!
xoxo
radmegan
Wooooo! Go Megan! We are also trying to cut out the meat as much as we can. Are you guys still using cheese? I can’t wait to see (and copy) all your yummy recipes!
HPerk!! Yes, we are eating cheese… I know, I KNOW! we’d both be healthier w/o cheese, eggs (and ahem, coffee) but baby steps. I’ve read every book you sent me cover to cover. I think I have a handle on keeping our meals balanced w/o meat for now. I actually thought you guys were meatless! I know you have long been a fan of the food as medicine outlook and it’s been VERY inspiring for me!
Keep me posted on whether you guys do a Meatless May too!
xoxo Love to the fam!
Megan
Awesome! I could definitely benefit from giving this a shot….as could the rest of my posse. Good luck to the both of you!
Thank you! Good luck to you too! xoxo
I have been wanting to watch that movie on netflix everytime I see it there…
I know! Netflix kept recommending it and I was like, “Ya, ya…. one of these days.” I finally put it on in the background while doing something else, and then got sucked in! Let me know what you think
xo
I saw that movie recently, and have wanted to eliminate those things… but it’s tough! It’s much easier when eating mostly at home, and I bet you’ll come up with some awesome recipes!
Yay for you! Forks over knives was so inspiring…also you’re quite adventurous- I’m so intrigued by the cactus…keep us posted on your progress and recipes. ~Deirdre
I love food docs and I think “Forks Over Knives” is my favorite to date simply for showing how many lives it could save by going plant-based! I’ve been vegetarian for about 3 years now and have never felt better, but I’m slowly making the trek to vegan. I’ve cut out most dairy products, except the occasional ice cream cone and goat cheese.
I would suggest trying black bean burgers! They are always a hit when I make them. Sauteeing leeks with mushrooms and onions and slappin’ it in a sandwich is delicious. Also I’m obsessed with a spiced balsamic beet compote recipe I found on vegetarian times. Hope that helps and good luck!
Oh! I didn’t know that you could eat cactus – is it any particular type? Thank you for popping over to comment on my pendant giveaway. Stay tuned for the tutorial and the announcement of the winner this Wednesday!
Agy of Green Issues.
Going meatless is such a great idea. Did you know that the church employs fasting/lent in a bid to cleanse the body of saturated fat? We almost don’t eat meat at home, but I personally cannot go without milk, yogurt, eggs and cheese…
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