Five ways to enjoy meat-free Monday

This is sponsored content for Domino's

Long gone are the days of gloopy, flavourless veggie lasagnes and nut roasts as heavy as a lumberjack's log. Today, thanks to companies and venues wanting to cater to their customer's increasingly plant-based needs, eating meat-free is almost as easy as eating meat. And the best bit? It can be just as delicious.

This trend has seen the rise of 'meat-free Monday', a concept driven by the desire to reduce the intake of meat, without giving it up entirely.

Even delivery favourites like Domino's are onboard. "The meat-free Monday concept encourages customers to consciously reduce their meat intake for the health of our planet," explains Adam Ballesty, Domino's ANZ chief marketing officer.

Here are some ideas to help you embrace meat-free Mondays and cut your meat intake, without compromising on taste.

Save your meat for dinnertime

One of the easiest ways to cut your meat and animal-based food intake is to hold off eating it until dinner. Breakfast? Leave the bacon and go for oats, a smoothie or some avocado toast. Lunch? A hummus and roast veggie sambo, or a healthy grain and veggie salad (throw in lots of aromatic herbs and add little flavour bombs like diced preserved lemon, dried cranberries or toasted, slivered almonds). Come dinner, you can have that spaghetti bolognese or barbecued spatchcock. It's easier than you think, and you're helping the planet, not to mention your health, without even knowing it.

Look for veggie options in quick service restaurants

Trust us, you can enjoy this concept and still have your favourite pizza. For example, this month Domino's launches its entirely new Impossible™ pizza range that features lauded meat-free alternative Impossible Beef. And they don't compromise on flavour just because they're meat-free. "Impossible Beef is juicy and delicious," says Ballesty. "It looks and tastes just like meat, and may be even more delicious than a traditional beef patty. Impossible Beef really is meat made from plants for people who love the flavour and convenience of meat."

And they haven't overlooked some fan favourites either, "The new Impossible range will see the Godfather, Fire Breather, Double Beef and Onion, and Supreme pizzas available to both vegan and vegetarian customers," he says. "And we will be introducing a few new meat-free Burger Joint Impossible pizzas, for a limited time for all of our customers who have been asking."

With the meat-free trend aligned with taking care of the planet, Domino's is going one step further and although you may not notice it, the campaign for the new range is doing its bit. "We are working to carbon-offset our digital media buying for the Impossible campaign," explains Ballesty. "We acknowledge this is a small step in a larger sustainability journey for Domino's, and look forward to growing this partnership to reduce the environmental impact of our campaigns across Australia and New Zealand."

Eat cuisines which are naturally meat-free

In India, menus are split-up by 'veg' and 'non-veg' options, because eating a vegetarian diet is the default. So why not go meat-free by cooking up some delicious Indian food? Think palak paneer, aloo gobi or chana masala. Pair your curry with some steamed basmati rice, natural yoghurt (or vegan alternative) and Indian pickles, get some chapatis involved, and you've got a feast that you won't even notice is vegetarian.

Swap your meat for mushrooms

Mushrooms have a really meaty flavour if cooked correctly, and can satisfy even the most carnivorous of eaters. Ideally pop them on the barbie for a bit of char – your palate immediately associates the taste of smoke with meat, so you're playing a bit of a trick on yourself here, but it's a hoax that pays off. Chop them up small (think mince) and sauté to use as a base for any meaty sauces you usually go for. Try varieties like oyster mushrooms, which can be pulled like pork and texturally really give off those meaty vibes.

Do a combo

When you're cooking, rather than eliminating meat altogether, why not try reducing it? So rather than using 500 grams of mince, say, use 250 grams each of mince and make up the rest with lentils, mushrooms, beans, or even a vegan meat alternative. You're still getting that meat fix, but you're incorporating some veggies, too. Or how about making meat the side dish, rather than the main event? It's better for the planet, but it's also far better for your body too, so you're doing yourself, and the world, a solid.

Domino's complete Impossible Range launches in Australia on October 24. Head to dominos.com.au to find out more.