High protein (No dairy, limited soy/ beans) recipe ideas?

[faeriecurls]

I need some new ideas for high protein recipes with some constraints.

I've been a lacto-ovo veg for 19 years and haven't had any issues until now - I am EBF my 2 month old, who definitely seems to have some intolerances - I am currently eliminating all dairy because I suspect that is definitely an issue (based on her BM and the start of eczema on her face). I also have noticed she doesn't seem to do well with certain beans (chick peas definitely are out, white beans are too and possibly dried favas so far).

I eat a very limited amount of soy (maybe once week) and never eat processed soy - only organic tofu, tempeh or soybeans.

I feel like I've been making a lot of eggs, lentil soup & quinoa all in the same few ways and I am bored with it (DH is even worse) I need some fresh ideas and get out of this rut.

DH is not veg and is starting to push for me to eat some meat to get protein because the no dairy and limited beans thing is new and starting to get frustrating when it's time to decide what's for dinner.

Any new ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[riesmo]

wow, sorry you're going through that.  we eat a vegan, nearly soy-free diet, though the bean issue would be hard.  do nuts or seeds bother her?  i eat lots of peanut butter, cashews, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.  those are especially good in/on whole grain breads (lots of protein) or in my morning oatmeal (steel cut oats have lots more protein and fiber than 'quick' rolled oats). 

mung beans are really high in protein, and can be used like lentils, or even like rice.  i sometimes cook it with a little orange juice and garlic, and serve with stir-fried veg.  they're also good in a veg 'meat'loaf recipe.  quinoa or bulgur wheat are good in cold salads with any sort of beans that might work and chopped veg, even dried fruit and nuts.  i sometimes stuff this in acorn squash. 

can you eat seitan?  it's gluten, not soy, so it might be a quick protein option. 

sorry i don't have specific recipes - i tend to improvise when i cook, but hopefully it will give you some ideas to work with.

[faeriecurls]

I haven't noticed any issues with nuts, but they are kind of hard to make a meal out of - I've made sauces for noodles from nut butters - that's about it.

I do eat whole grain bread with eggs or steel cut oats in the morning.

I can eat seitan as far as I know. I don't eat it very much though, so I never know what to do with it... I should pick some up and try some different things - maybe a stew since it's getting cold.

[germin8]

Have you tried soaking the beans overnight before preparing them?  This releases the enzyme inhibitors that make it difficult to digest.

I would probably germinate them for 24 hours, then cook with them.

Also, eating good fats (raw fats) should help with eczema... fats like flax oil, hemp seeds, coconut oil, avocado... etc.

Sprouts are an excellent source for protein.  You can throw those into your salad.

And, I just found out that spirulina is high in protein!  ...containing all essential amino acids.

Eating a variety of greens will also ensure you get a variety of essential amino acids... the building block of protein.

Also, if you plan to eat raw nuts or seeds, it's best to germinate those as well to release the enzyme inhibitors.

Have you tried making a lentil loaf?  I don't have recipe for one... just heard about them.  What about a nut loaf or nut patties?

Sorry, I don't have many recipes for "high protein" "no beans".  There are plenty with raw nuts, but most are raw food recipes.

[faeriecurls]

If I make the beans I do soak them overnight, but we also use canned beans and have gotten prepared salads/foods with beans - with the chickpeas it makes no difference how they were prepared, it still bothered her, other beans might be okay. I'll try germinating for 24 hours and see how that works.

I do eat lots of greens and try to get lots of good fats too.

A lentil loaf sounds like a good idea, I'll have to try one. Thanks for that idea!

I'll also look into adding some spirulina to a smoothie or something. I had no clue that it had that much protein!

[kismetbaby]

I'm vegetarian and wound up vegan b/c of my DS intolerances as a EBF babe.  It's hard I know!  You get so hungry BFing and you want something quick and easy.  I was going to suggest quinoa, but you said you are sick of it. . .but it really is amazing stuff. Very high protein and no gluten.  I like to make a salad with black beans, mango and quinoa (with some oil and red wine vinegar as dressing).  

If you are still doing gluten I'd definitely suggest seitan. You can just add it to soups and stews or you can roll it in flour and pan fry it.  If you look on vegetariantimes.com they have some nice seitan recipes as do many vegan cookbooks.

Avocados are definitely going to be great--they'll really keep you full.  You can bake potatoes and fill them with things like avocado, or vegan gravy, or mushrooms and lentils.  I'm a big fan of veg refried beans. . .easy to just open a can and make burritos. 

I started cooking/baking with coconut oil when I went vegan and love it.  You can use it in place of butter in baked goods. Oatmeal is great for BFing moms and if you stir in a spoonful of coconut oil and some ground flaxseeds, its very nutritious. 

Quiche is pretty easy to make dairy free (use almond milk if you don't do soy) and just don't use cheese.  I usually use spinach or chard and tomatoes. 

[Koalamom]

We would love to vegetarian again, but due to so many allergies we did give in and now eat meat.

So you can do different types of lentils?   You could switch it up from red to green to brown for some variation.  Dal is a red lentil puree served with flat or pita bread.  Oh so yummy!

We have been maing DF ice cream lately-

1 cup cashews soaked a few hours

handful of strawberries

little vanilla extract

swirl of fav sweetener (we use maple syrup)

- blend well in food processor till very creamy

AND-if you have an ice cream maker put in there till done OR if you don't, put in a shallow dish, freeze ad then throw frozen chunks into food ptocessor till thick and creamy.

What about buckwheat as another high protein grain?  Buckwheat pancakes are so yummy, gluten free, and instead of the dairy, we just use water. 

[Laurski]

nak

I'm glad you posted this, faeriecurls, b/c I have a similar issue with my DD, who's 3 months old.  What's strange is that she's fine with dairy, but legumes are all out for now (including my precious lentils!).  I'll have to try the suggestion that others have had about soaking the beans...

We've been making a lot of veggie soups around here with autumn veggies--maybe something else to add to your meal rotation?

Also, if you haven't tried Seitan O' Greatness from the Post Punk Kitchen, I highly recommend it.  It's a bit time-consuming (it bakes for 90 minutes, but prep is minimal), but making it, then cooking it up with onions and peppers and serving it on a roll is a messy but delicious meal.  You can easily google the recipe--I usually tweak it a bit and use some Old Bay in place of a few of the listed spices.

[kcparker]

Nut loaf is good, something like this, but you can use your imagination and whatever you have on hand to modify it.

Check out an Indian food cookbook from the library. I have a copy of Yamuna Devi's Lord Krishna's Cuisine, and it has tons of good recipes for all sorts of legumes. Look at Japanese food too.

Eggs are good in quiche, tortas, brown rice or tapioca pudding, fried egg sandwiches, egg drop soup, hard boiled and used in salads...