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School cooks are crucial in the crusade to get kids eating their five a day, says the Vegetarian Society.
the statement follows a shocking study which reveals one in 10 kids aged between seven and 11, thought that spuds grew on a vine! Society spokeswoman Su taylor tells Stir it up: "School cooks are at the frontline of this battle - and we have a huge database of recipes available to help them produce some really appetising meals."
As well as menu planners on the vegetarian Society website, there are a growing number of free resources available to cooks, teachers and heads, including posters, project books, catering packs,
leaflets and stickers. the survey into kids and vegetables by supermarket giant morrisons showed a shocking number of school children don't know their peas from their cues... cucumbers that is!
Incredibly, one in five youngsters quizzed thought that the vegetarian favourite ratatouille contains rat meat. While persuading younger children to eat their vegetables is an ongoing and difficult task, colleges and universities are already embracing Sir Paul mccartney's 'meat-free monday' initiative, which Stir it up supported in march last year. three of oxford university's colleges have adopted the concept with new, Brasenose and Jesus all introducing the scheme in some form.
Jesus college is the only one to pass a motion to have a completely meat-free monday. So if you are struggling to 'vegucate' your pupils/ students, why not try the classic vegetarian bolognaise dish right.
Perfect Pasta
Preparation time: 10 mins cooking time: 20 mins Serves 4
Ingredients
400g pasta (spaghetti, fusilli, fettucini, shells, etc)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, crushed 50g dried soya mince or 100g frozen veggie mince
1 red pepper, finely chopped
2 tsp mixed dried herbs
2 tsp sugar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Pepper to taste
2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes grated vegetarian or vegan cheese (optional)
Stage one
- cook the pasta in the large saucepan according to packet instructions, drain in the colander, flush with cold water, then set aside.
- if using dried soya mince, soak in boiling water for five minutes, or according to packet instructions, then drain.
Stage two
- heat the oil in the frying pan on medium heat, fry onions, garlic, mince and pepper for five minutes until soft.
- add mixed herbs, sugar, vinegar and pepper to the mince mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- add the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- taste and adjust the flavour as necessary with extra herbs and seasoning.
Stage three
- reheat the pasta in the colander by pouring boiling water over it.
- return the pasta to the large saucepan and toss it with the sauce. alternatively, spoon the pasta onto plates and top with sauce.
- (optional) garnish with grated cheese.
all resources are available free from the vegetarian Society www.vegsoc.org |
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