Meatless Monday Is Easier Than You Think

If you’re still in the Earth Day spirit, why not try cutting back on your weekly meat consumption? Eating fewer animal products — specifically red meat — is a healthy way to lighten your carbon footprint. One easy way to do that is by sticking to vegetarian meals on Mondays, which is more commonly (and alliteratively) known as “meatless Monday.

Since many of us have been cooking more than usual due to the new coronavirus outbreak, we decided to put together a short list of our favorite products to help you incorporate one meat-free day per week. From potato ricers to cookbooks on bread making, here are some kitchen essentials for anyone looking to have a mouthwatering meatless Monday.

All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change. Patch may earn a commission on products purchased.

Spiralizer 5-Blade Vegetable Slicer, $22.99

One of the most popular tools in a vegetarian kitchen is the spiralizer. This countertop powerhouse shreds and spirals vegetables in a number of different settings and thicknesses, which makes it great for cooking vegetable pasta, veggie fries and salads.

Kuhn Rikon Y-Peeler 3-Pack, $13.99

Science has done its fair share of making food delicious and easy to eat — e.g., seedless fruit and broccoli — but it still hasn’t found a way to engineer vegetables that peel themselves. (C’mon, science!) So, barring any earth-shattering agricultural discoveries, investing in a good set of vegetable peelers is a solid move. This three-pack of Y-peelers is a great all-purpose set for the home cook.

OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler, $9.99

This straight peeler features a large handle designed for quick, repetitive peeling, twin blades and a non-slip grip. Plus, its sturdy design means it can take a beating. It also includes a built-in potato eye remover and is dishwasher-safe.

RSVP International Potato Ricer, $19.95

This ricer makes it easy to prep potatoes for dishes including latkes, gnocchi and hash browns — all delicious and all vegetarian. You can also use this product for turning heads of cauliflower into trendy, tasty cauliflower rice.

Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine, $54.99

If you’re a bacon-for-breakfast kind of person, mornings on meatless Mondays might be a bit of an adjustment. Don’t worry — this juicer by Hamilton Beach is here to help jump-start your week with fresh juices that can be enjoyed straight or added to smoothies, shakes and more. (The mimosa is also, in fact, vegetarian.)

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer, $19.95

Steaming is a quick and easy way to enjoy all sorts of vegetables. This stainless steel steamer by OXO fits snugly inside a saucepan, and makes cooking perfectly steamed vegetables a breeze. It’s also dishwasher-safe.

Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper, $46.49

Every home chef should have a food processor — not just the vegetarians. However, this model by Hamilton Beach is particularly good for veggies. It makes salsas, mirepoix, vegetable medleys, hummus, sauces and general prep simple and blister-free.

"Fresh India: 130 Quick, Easy, and Delicious Vegetarian Recipes for Every Day," $16.56

"Fresh India" by Meera Sodha features 130 quick and easy Indian recipes for the home cook. They also happen to be delicious and vegetarian, as lots of Indian cooking is already meat-free. "Fresh India" is also available on Kindle.

"How to Cook Everything Vegetarian," $23.76

Mark Bittman, editor-in-chief of Heated and author of the How to Cook Everything series, throws vegetarians a (figurative) bone with this seminal text on meatless cuisine, which includes vegan options and a brand-new chapter on smoothies and teas. "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" is also available on Kindle.

"Love Real Food: More Than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favorites to Delight the Senses and Nourish the Body: A Cookbook," $20.83

"Love Real Food" by Kathryne Taylor is great for vegetarian-curious home cooks. The book features 100 easy and delicious meat-free recipes designed for home cooks of every skill level on any diet. The book offers a slew of substitutions for gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free diets whenever possible. "Love Real Food" is also available on Kindle.

"Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza," $21.70

If you’ve noticed lots of bread-baking on social media lately, you’re not crazy — many people are finding solace in sourdough during these trying times. However, there’s a whole world of bread baking out there beyond sourdough, and "Flour Water Salt Yeast" by Ken Forkish is a great introductory book to those looking to get started on their doughy journey. "Flour Water Salt Yeast" is also available on Kindle.

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