In 1977, the North American Vegetarian Association declared the 1st of October as World Vegetarian Day, and one year later, it was internationally endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union. 

About 14% of the world population is now vegetarian, with India ranking top in the world as 38% of its 1.38 billion citizens are vegetarians.

But first, what is being vegetarian?

A vegetarian does not eat meat or fish but can sometimes consume animal products like milk, egg, cheese, etc.

But how can cutting off meat benefit you and the planet? 

1. Reduces blood cholesterol levels
2. Boosts heart health
3. Reduces chances of getting diabetes
4. Ameliorate your microbiome
5. Reduces body Inflammation
6. Has positive impacts on the greenhouse gases
7. Reduce the individual’s carbon footprint

So in celebration of World Vegetarian Day, here are 5 delicious recipes that can get you into the vegetarian lifestyle. 

Zucchini lasagna

Ingredients:

• ½ kg of Zucchini strips
• 2 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of black pepper
• 1 tsp of olive oil
• 1 minced garlic clove
• ¼ kg of oven-ready lasagna (12 pieces)
• 4 cups of tomato sauce
• 2 ¼ cups of grated mozzarella
• 2 ¼ cups of parmesan cheese

Steps: 

1. Preheat the oven at 180℃
2. Using a grater, slice the zucchini into long thin strips, put them on paper towels, and sprinkle the salt evenly on each layer. (will do about 3-4 layers) let them dry for 10 mins
3. In a 22×33 cm oven pan, spread evenly 1 tsp of olive oil with the minced garlic.
4. Put 3 lasagna pieces at the base of the pan, then cover it evenly with 1 cup of tomato sauce.
5. Add ½ cup of parmesan cheese, then add ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and spread them in the pan.
6. Cover them with Zucchini and sprinkle ¼ tsp of black pepper on top.
7. Repeat the last 3 steps until a total of 3 layers are done.
8. Place the remaining 3 lasagna pieces, cover them with the 4th cup of tomato sauce, spread ½ cup of parmesan cheese and ½ cup of mozzarella on top.
9. Arrange the remaining zucchini, spread the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top, then sprinkle ¼ tsp of black pepper.
10. Bake it for 50-60 minutes in the preheated oven, let it cool for 10-15 minutes, and then serve it.

Stuffed potatoes balls

Ingredients:

Spice mix 

½ tsp of cumin

½ of salt

¼ tsp of oregano

¼ of black pepper

¼ of paprika

Potato mix 

3-4 potatoes

1 tbsp of yogurt

1 tsp of garlic powder

¼ tsp of black pepper

⅓ cup of milk

2 tbsp of cornstarch

Stuffing mix 

2 carrots

¼ yellow onion

3 minced garlic cloves

1 tbsp of olive oil

1 tbsp of tomato sauce

1 cup of brown cooked lentils

2 tbsp of chopped cilantro

⅓ cup of water

Frying 

Breadcrumbs

Vegan oil

Steps:

1. Mix the spices
2. Dice 2 carrots and ¼ yellow onion
3. Put olive oil in a pan on medium heat and then add the carrot and the onion and let them stir
4. Add the cooked lentils, tomato paste, the chopped cilantro, ⅓ cup of water, and spice mix.
5. Boil the potatoes, mash them, add 1 tbsp of yogurt, 1 tsp of garlic powder, ¼ tsp of black pepper, ⅓ cup of milk, 2 tbsp of cornstarch, and mix them all.
6. Using wet hands, form half a ball, add the stuffing mix, and then close the ball
7. Roll it in some breadcrumbs and then fry it. 

Vegetarian Chow Mein noodles

Ingredients :

• 250gr of sliced mushrooms
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 2 roughly chopped sticks of green onion
• ½ a sliced red onion
• ½ a sliced red bell pepper
• 2 ½ tbsp of soy sauce
• 1 tbsp of vinegar
• 1 ½ tbsp of honey
• ½ tsp of sesame oil (if not available, can be substituted by olive oil)
• 400 gr of boiled pasta
• 2 tbsp of olive oil

Steps: 

1. In a frying pan on medium heat, add the 2 tbsp of olive oil, the minced garlic, the chopped green onion, and sliced red onion.
2. Saute it for a minute
3. Add the mushrooms and the sliced red bell pepper and let them saute from 3-4 mins
4. Mix the soy sauce, the vinegar, the honey, and the sesame oil
5. Add the boiled pasta to the vegetable mix and then add the sauce mix
6. Let them stir for 2 minutes and then serve. 

Vegetarian grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 tsp of salt
• A pinch of black pepper
• A pinch of paprika
• ½ a cup of mozzarella cheese
• 4 slices of bread toast

Steps:

1. Chop the broccoli finely
2. Put the olive oil on a medium heated pan and then add the minced garlic
3. Add the broccoli, the salt, the pinch of black pepper, and paprika, and mix them all.
4. Spray 2 bread toast with olive oil, put them on a heated pan, and add ¼ cup of mozzarella on top of the 2 toasts.
5. Divide the broccoli on the bread, add the remaining cheese, and then cover them with the remaining bread toast
6. Flip the sandwich and remove it from the pan when it’s golden

Creamy one-pot pasta

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• ½ of a chopped onion
• 2 tbsp of tomato sauce
• 2 cups of chopped cherry tomatoes
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of black pepper
• 2 ½ cups of vegetable broth
• 2 ½ cups of milk (can be substituted by mon dairy milk)
• 400 gr of pasta
• 100 gr of fresh spinach

Steps:

1. Put the olive oil in a medium heated pan and then add the chopped onion
2. Mix them and then add the minced and the tomato paste and mix them for a minute
3. Add the chopped cherry tomatoes, the salt, and the black pepper and let them saute for a minute
4. Pour the 2 ½ cups of vegetable broth and the 2 ½ cups of milk and mix them all well together
5. Add the pasta and then let them simmer for about 10 minutes
6. Put on the spinach, Mix it well and then serve it