meat and meatless

Mmmeeeeaaaaattt.
I have to say it like that, and then I always picture meat-loving Ron Swanson for some reason.

Just one tiny word can become such a hot topic!
Lovers, haters, and all the inbetweeners.
I have posted my thoughts on meat before, but like to revisit the topic every now and then.

Before I headed off to college, I had no problem with meat, and ate it any time it was placed in front of me. (and remember how I loved fast food.....yeah.)
Besides my love for a wendy's burger, I didn't eat a lot of meat my first year at school, simply because I couldn't afford it, and even if I could, I had no idea how to cook it.
Being married just a year later, not much had changed.....oh wait, we were even more poor, which meant even less meat.
A few years passed and we both had real jobs that allowed for us to purchase something meaty every now and then, and I was slowly learning to cook, I'd try my hand at beef. chicken. pork.
and I didn't like it.
Any if it.
Going a few years without it, it just didn't taste good to me anymore.
And if you have been reading a while, you'll remember my fat phobia....I figured my diet was just better without meat.
I stuck with mostly chicken dishes, and swore off burgers for years, always opting for a turkey or veggie option (what a shame!).

Over the last few years, I've started to educate myself more and more about meat, and re-introduce it into our diets. I truly believe that there were animals placed on this earth for us to enjoy.
but enjoy sparingly. 

I also believe that these animals should be raised as animals. 
in grassy green fields with butterflies and disney birds and a catchy tune playing in the background.
happy.

Well my friends, buying happy animals to cook for my family isn't the cheapest option, so we limit our meat consumption so we can eat
well raised
well fed
no hormone
no antibiotic
happy
animals.

We have an small extra freezer so when I see good deals (even the farmers market will put certain cuts off beef on sale!) I can get extra to keep on hand.
We only eat meat 1-2 times a week.
I love finding new meatless dishes that are tasty and filling.
Here is one of them:

Lentil and Bean Fritter Pitas

recipe adapted from Real Simple

Ingredients

2 cups soaked lentils

2 cups soaked garbanzo beans

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

pinch of cayenne (optional)

1/2 cup bread crumbs (or 2 slices of wheat bread, toasted and pulsed in the food processor)

1/4 head red cabbage, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)

juice of 1 lemon

 olive oil

s&p

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more for serving

avocado slices (I took this photo, and then right before we ate I realized I had an ripe avocado. I fit perfectly with these.)

4 pocketless pitas, warmed (or homemade whole wheat naan)

Directions

In a food processor, puree 1 cup of the lentils with the garbanzo beans,cilantro, 1/2 cup of parsley, garlic, cumin and cayenne until nearly smooth. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the bread crumbs, the remaining  lentils, salt and pepper.  Form into sixteen ½-inch-thick patties.

In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, lightly mash the cabbage with a squeeze of  lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper; set aside.

 In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, a few squeezes of lemon juice 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley, and crushed red pepper. 

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, cook the patties until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side, adding more oil to the skillet for the second batch.

Dividing evenly, top each pita with the patties, cabbage mixture, avocado (if using) yogurt sauce, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. 

I can't wait for summer when tomatoes and pepper are plentiful--I think they would be a great addition to this dish.

I think it's important to educate ourselves about all of the food we eat, whether we love meat or don't eat any animal products at all--it's always good to know where our food is coming from, so we can make the best choices for ourselves and our families.

If you would like to learn more about why it's important to eat "happy" meat, I always recommend the movie Food Inc. I think it's a good place to start.

What are your favorite meatless dinners?