It’s simple really - vegetarian cooking and eating is not about substituting meat, but rather about shifting the focus. Instead of the conventional meal of meat and two veg, meals without meat should be a varied composition of texture, colour and flavour. Imagine a plate of Mediterranean mezze…creamy humous singing with garlic, olives twinkling like jewels, smoky grilled vegetables and grains dressed in fresh lemon juice, herbs and peppery olive oil, and a warm, soft pocket of flatbread to scoop it all up with. Do you miss the meat?
Getting a balanced diet
Research has proven that a vegetarian diet can improve health, but vegetarians must be sure to replace the nutrients meat contains, in particular protein, iron, B vitamins and selenium. Sources of these nutrients are abundant in an ideal vegetarian diet, which consists of a variety of foods including grains, beans, pulses, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and a small amount of fat.
Full Article: The secret of vegetarian cooking