Tv host Mindaugas Rainys has gone vegetarian – there is a strict rule at home on weekends

Mindaugas, when and why did you become a vegetarian?

The abandonment of meat occurred about five years ago. The main reason was the search for a greater variety of foods, a more varied diet, which was greatly helped by the yoga that I practiced, which introduced me to life without meat. Christmas was approaching and for the first time my family and I came up with the idea of ​​trying to fast as it should be. And after those few weeks without meat, during Christmas itself, a turkey was served on the table that there was no longer any desire to look at.

We decided to extend the “fast” for another week, then meat became an unnecessary product. After giving up meat, I started to feel better, managed to adjust the weight, fast food disappeared and even donated zeppelins, which I love immensely, for the sake of well-being.

Do you like to cook?

Yes, I have always enjoyed and produced a lot. When meat disappeared, it became more difficult because the recipes came from the parents, most with meat, so alternatives had to be found. But then the kitchen expanded so much that I just felt pleasure. Almost every day I cook lunch and dinner and I enjoy the process because it is the same creative work that I direct, with color, improvisation and experience.

What does it usually produce?

Various things, but I never advance a few days, so I usually go to the store. What I will produce: the idea is born spontaneously. Of course, I make a lot of vegetables of all kinds, the stews are different, I make a lot of desserts because I’m a big sweet tooth.

What is your favorite dish?

Bowls: a bowl made of rice, tuna or other fish, vegetables and game with sauces. I make the sauces myself, I have two or three variants and I use them.

Do you have family traditions related to food?

Since our schedule is quite busy, it is important to remember to eat on weekdays. We have a bad habit of having dinner mostly late at night, after all the work. But on the weekends, the hard rule is that everyone cooks, eats, and spends time together.

What discoveries and surprises did you experience with the show “La maistas”?

Thanks to this show the understanding of how the kitchen works has been broadened, I discovered a grill that seemed unnecessary to me, that did not eat meat, now I have bought it myself and I am very happy with it. Thanks to Tomas Rimydis, I discovered a real Lithuanian cuisine that has nothing to do with zeppelins or fans, I discovered new vegetables, farmers who produce wonderful products, my dishes in general expanded, new flavors appeared. I started using new tools. I don’t run the show as much as I study, I’m on a good culinary course where both skills and imagination are expanded.

This time Mindaugas Rainys and the chefs of the show “La maistas” Tomas Rimydis and Vylius Blauzdavičius will visit the “Sofa Farm”, where many different vegetables are grown. Together with the farm owners, they will prepare vegetable dishes: fried eggplant spread, crispy eggplant sticks, vegetable stew, chard sauce and multi-colored baked beets.

The most delicious recipes and tips for vegetable dishes – Sunday at 9.30. in the program “La maistas” on TV3.