For Lent I've given up meat. I've already failed. Failed to the best burger known to the British Isles - a burger from Hawksmoor.
I went there last night for dinner. I went under no false illusions. There would not be a vegetarian option. It was AMAZING!!!!!!!! So moist, tender and bursting with flavour. The king of burgers! Despite the scorn thrown at me by my housemates, I have never been more contented in my life. If you're not a vegetarian, please visit Hawksmoor. You won't regret it.
Anyway, I have failed in my act of penitence. I have failed to strive for perfection, unlike St David (who's saint's day is today) who was an ardent vegetarian and teetotaller. I failed after a week. Why? Because vegetarian food is boring.
Are vegetarians boring? Some are. But the ones I know are interesting* and certainly not boring. But the food definitely is.
Go into a restaurant and the vegetarian option is invariably a salad of sorts or involves a lot of carbohydrates. Dull and starchy. Great combination!
Sandwiches from supermarkets are either egg and cress or cheese and onion but with fancier names. When shopping in Sainsbury's yesterday for luncheon I could not find a vegetarian option for their meal deal. So I opted for the £1 sandwiches. Not to be knocked but not exactly thrilling! Then again, at that price I'm not expecting a taste explosion.
Meat substitutes, like Quorn, are tasteless. Meat free sausages, burgers, chicken, fish free fish fingers etc are foul. Why go for imitation meat when you could either go for real meat of vegetables mashed together in the shape of the thing you missed (like vegetable sausages (which are pretty good)).
Vegetarians, I offer you a challenge. Find me some tantalising meals which do not require meat substitutes, salads or a lot carbohydrates and which are quick to prepare and cook.
*odd
