Celebrate World Vegetarian Day with a healthy helping of plants and pulses

MOO-VE over meat and bring out the broccoli. It is World Vegetarian Day today, so I have rooted out some great deals on meat-free dishes, with recipes from Morrisons.com.

There are also tasty offers on fridge fillers for all the family, as well as top buys on booze-free drinks.

Go veggie for the day and try out Mrs Crunch’s tasty recipes

Pear and parsnip soup

Serves four

Tip: like a little more kick to your pear and parsnip soup? Add a pinch of curry powder

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

You need:

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 4 shallots, peeled and diced
• 500g parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 pears, peeled, cored and diced
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
• 50g blue cheese, crumbled

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the shallots.
2. Fry gently for five minutes until they are softened but not browned.
3. Add the parsnips, cider vinegar, pears and stock and bring to the boil.
4. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, then blend with a stick blender or in a liquidiser until smooth.
5. Add the rosemary leaves, cheese and a little seasoning. Cook over a low heat, stirring until the cheese melts, then serve.

Vegetable and egg fried rice

Serves four

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

You need:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 pinch ground white pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 150g tenderstem broccoli, cut into 1cm pieces
• 4 spring onions, finely sliced
• 100g frozen peas
• 400g long grain rice, cooked and cooled
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 drizzle sesame oil, to taste

Method:

1. Heat half the oil in a wok until smoking. Season eggs with white pepper and add to the wok.
2. Cook for one or two minutes, stirring constantly, until the eggs are cooked and lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Wipe pan clean with a paper towel and return to the heat with remaining oil. When smoking hot, add garlic and broccoli and cook for one or two minutes.
4. Add spring onions and peas. Cook for a further minute then add rice and cook for another two to three minutes until rice is piping hot.
5. Add scrambled eggs back to pan along with the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir-fry for another minute, then serve.