These days there are many vegetarian convenience and ready-made meals available in supermarkets and health stores, and although this site does not use or advocate too many processed products, much preferring to use fresh ingredients, this page offers ideas for very quick meals.

Textured Vegetable Protein or TVP can be useful for beginners as it has the look of and a similar texture to meat. It is widely available in many forms, mince, burgers, sausages and many more. It is a good psychological help, high in protein, low in fat and although the recipes on this site do not use it, it could be substituted if required

There are also a number of dried mixes, as substitutes for sausages and burgers and are very handy to have in the store cupboard. Made from textured vegetable protein or soya, they can be hydrated, shaped and frozen, ready for use. For variety add chopped herbs, tomato paste or garlic and onions. The Linda McCartney range of sausages and sausage rolls is excellent, well worth keeping in the freezer.

Quorn is another wonderful invention, made from a tiny plant, it has a similar texture to chicken, is high in protein, fat free with no cholesterol. However, recent enquiries have discovered that only Quorn pieces and Quorn mince are made with free range eggs and that battery eggs are used in all other forms of the product.

Veggie sausages
Use as meat sausages. Goes well with cabbage and onions, mashed potatoes and onion and mushroom gravy or a hot and spicy salsa. They also work well with carrot, cashew nut and apple salad and jacket potatoes cooked in the microwave for speed. You can add fresh or powdered garlic, herbs or tomato puree for variety.

Veggie burgers
Use as meat burgers. Serve on baps, plain or with fried onions, or turn into cheeseburgers. Make a batch at a time, open freeze, then wrap in cling or foil and pack in plastic bags ready for use. The burgers go well with Chinese Salad or mixed salad and jacket potatoes or oven chips.

Stir-fried vegetables
A very quick and nutritional meal. Serve on rice, brown rice works very well or couscous. Try to always have cooked rice in the freezer ready for this kind of meal.

Frittata
A quick and easy meal, high in protein. Serve with one of the salads, jacket potatoes cooked in the microwave or any type of rice.

Quorn curry
This excellent curry only requires chopping time and about 35 minutes cooking time. The marinating stage can be reduced to 10 minutes with no ill effect. Having cooked rice in the freezer saves more time.

Fried Rice
This fried rice recipe uses very little oil making it healthy and nutritional. Absolutely delicious served on its own. Great for using up rice and quick and easy to make.

Savoury Pancakes
A light savoury meal served with any of the salads, brown rice or potatoes

Omelette
Always a good standby for a quick protein rich meal, For variety add chopped mushrooms, grated cheese, chopped spring onions or cooked spinach.

Taco Shells (organic if possible)
Taco shells are available in most supermarkets; follow the cooking instructions on the packet. Some are even preformed and only require warming through. For speed, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan and add a tin of mixed beans (drained). Heat through, mash roughly leaving a few whole beans and season with a little salt and pepper. Fill the shells with beans and grated cheese topped with salsa. Serve with salads and favourite breads for a nutritious and filling meal.

Jacket Potatoes
Simple and filling, another good standby for a quick meal. Cook in the oven or microwave and fill with butter, grated cheese or soft cheese, delicious with a hot bean salad.
For variety, fill with baked beans, coleslaw or any bean mix.