Vegetable Lo Mein

[Bohemian_Vegan]

Seriously, Im not trying to sound like a big meanie, but vegan shrimp boggles the mind. I mean, do they list the ingredients? Is it *really* vegan (no added "flavouring" and such). I respect we all have the right to indulge in fake meat (or not), but something about these little curly objects posing as dead shellfish REALLY give me the heebie-jeebies (just like when I used to go to Chinatown in Vancouver and look at all the 'vegetarian' meat in their freezers and do a squiggly dance at the thought of 'vegetarian pork balls'). I mean seriously, doesn't their government have a shady policy about lying to the consumers? Our goverments lie to us all the time about food (and a bunch of other stuff), so why chance it? And if it really IS possible to make vegan shrimp, why aren't there any recipes for making it...
I apologize for not leaving this subject alone, but I feel haunted with the knowledge that somewhere... somehow... people are eating imitation sea creatures...

[amymylove]

Seriously, Im not trying to sound like a big meanie, but vegan shrimp boggles the mind. I mean, do they list the ingredients? Is it *really* vegan (no added "flavouring" and such). I respect we all have the right to indulge in fake meat (or not), but something about these little curly objects posing as dead shellfish REALLY give me the heebie-jeebies (just like when I used to go to Chinatown in Vancouver and look at all the 'vegetarian' meat in their freezers and do a squiggly dance at the thought of 'vegetarian pork balls'). I mean seriously, doesn't their government have a shady policy about lying to the consumers? Our goverments lie to us all the time about food (and a bunch of other stuff), so why chance it? And if it really IS possible to make vegan shrimp, why aren't there any recipes for making it...
I apologize for not leaving this subject alone, but I feel haunted with the knowledge that somewhere... somehow... people are eating imitation sea creatures...

The "shrimp" is vegan... the ingredients are: water, curdlan gum, refined konjac powder, modified tapioca starch, potato starch, raw can sugar, sea salt, white pepper powder, onion powder, garlic powder, yeast extract powder, seaweed extract, sesame oil, fermented rice vinegar, calcium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and oleoresin paprika....

I'm assuming the seaweed extract gives it a "fishy" taste... I just bought some after seeing the yummy looking photos... It may seem strange but it's not really meat so I don't see the harm in indulging once and awhile... I dunno... If it's fake I don't see the harm <3

[furrysgirl]

Seriously, Im not trying to sound like a big meanie, but vegan shrimp boggles the mind. I mean, do they list the ingredients? Is it *really* vegan (no added "flavouring" and such). I respect we all have the right to indulge in fake meat (or not), but something about these little curly objects posing as dead shellfish REALLY give me the heebie-jeebies (just like when I used to go to Chinatown in Vancouver and look at all the 'vegetarian' meat in their freezers and do a squiggly dance at the thought of 'vegetarian pork balls'). I mean seriously, doesn't their government have a shady policy about lying to the consumers? Our goverments lie to us all the time about food (and a bunch of other stuff), so why chance it? And if it really IS possible to make vegan shrimp, why aren't there any recipes for making it...
I apologize for not leaving this subject alone, but I feel haunted with the knowledge that somewhere... somehow... people are eating imitation sea creatures...

My sister once said to me, why eat something that is just like the real thing (in terms of meat) if it was given up in the first place. The answer: the meat is a poor dead animal. My immediate reaction to vegan shrimp is that my husband will be so happy for me to make *shrimp* scampi again and it won't have to involve real shrimp. I think there would be a major lawsuit if they discovered animal products in a vegan-labeled product.

[Bohemian_Vegan]

Okay, now that I know it actually lists the ingredients, and aside from a bunch of lab rats getting diarrhea from the testing of curdlan gum (http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v44jec04.htm   <-- fun read...), it doesn't appear that the vegan shrimp are guilty of anything other than looking very convincing, which they are designed to do.
Sorry for all the hooplah, I just like to be able to sleep at night without feeling that somehow we are being deceived into eating animal by-products in the guise of vegan-friendly fake seafood by the seedy clutches of our governments. Now that I realize that is not the case I am relieved. I just don't trust people on the subject, I've had friends' parents (when I was young) attempt (pretty sad attempts at that) to fool me into eating real meat by telling me it's fake. I am no fool, I always denied their faulty offerings, and was appalled that they would even try such a thing on me, knowing how strong of an animal rights advocate I always have been. Unfortunately, this has left me with a feeling of general distrust and suspicion when the subject of fake meat comes into play (especially convincing look-alikes).
Anywho, you are right Amy, there is no harm if its fake, I'm just the kind of person that likes to make sure.

[amymylove]

Okay, now that I know it actually lists the ingredients, and aside from a bunch of lab rats getting diarrhea from the testing of curdlan gum (http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v44jec04.htm   <-- fun read...), it doesn't appear that the vegan shrimp are guilty of anything other than looking very convincing, which they are designed to do.
Sorry for all the hooplah, I just like to be able to sleep at night without feeling that somehow we are being deceived into eating animal by-products in the guise of vegan-friendly fake seafood by the seedy clutches of our governments. Now that I realize that is not the case I am relieved. I just don't trust people on the subject, I've had friends' parents (when I was young) attempt (pretty sad attempts at that) to fool me into eating real meat by telling me it's fake. I am no fool, I always denied their faulty offerings, and was appalled that they would even try such a thing on me, knowing how strong of an animal rights advocate I always have been. Unfortunately, this has left me with a feeling of general distrust and suspicion when the subject of fake meat comes into play (especially convincing look-alikes).
Anywho, you are right Amy, there is no harm if its fake, I'm just the kind of person that likes to make sure.

I know how u feel... like all the "natural flavorings" and such that u don't really know what the "natural flavorings" really are... and it is kinda weird to see those shrimp looking things lotz of luv <3

[the1stdrop]

Okay, now that I know it actually lists the ingredients, and aside from a bunch of lab rats getting diarrhea from the testing of curdlan gum (http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v44jec04.htm   <-- fun read...), it doesn't appear that the vegan shrimp are guilty of anything other than looking very convincing, which they are designed to do.
Sorry for all the hooplah, I just like to be able to sleep at night without feeling that somehow we are being deceived into eating animal by-products in the guise of vegan-friendly fake seafood by the seedy clutches of our governments. Now that I realize that is not the case I am relieved. I just don't trust people on the subject, I've had friends' parents (when I was young) attempt (pretty sad attempts at that) to fool me into eating real meat by telling me it's fake. I am no fool, I always denied their faulty offerings, and was appalled that they would even try such a thing on me, knowing how strong of an animal rights advocate I always have been. Unfortunately, this has left me with a feeling of general distrust and suspicion when the subject of fake meat comes into play (especially convincing look-alikes).
Anywho, you are right Amy, there is no harm if its fake, I'm just the kind of person that likes to make sure.

I know how u feel... like all the "natural flavorings" and such that u don't really know what the "natural flavorings" really are... and it is kinda weird to see those shrimp looking things lotz of luv <3

I know... I was totally untrusting about the shrimp, even though the box said VEGAN.  I went over the ingredients a bunch of times, and made my sister check, too.  I wouldn't even get the shrimp, but my fiance LOVES any and all fake meat (he's only veggie because of me), especially seafood, as that was his favorite before giving up meat.  So as long as they are vegan, and if it makes him happy, I'm all for it.  =)

[amymylove]

This was good... I followed the1stdrop's suggestions

[kjbaker]

Where do get ur vegan shrimp? I seen some online but didnt know what it would taste like, how do you like them?
[/quote]

I get my vegan shrimp from http://www.vegieworld.com/ May Wah Vegetarian Food

[erinmonster5]

This was delicious!
I used snow peas, baby corn and broccoli - and added a bunch of sriracha because my sweet chili sauce wasn't very spicy....
Will definitely make again!  And again.  And again.

[nhyhsh]

@ Pecans and Nhyhsh, I ususally find all of my vegan meat substitutes in a local Asian grocery store. They are in the frozen section and they carry everything from vegan shrimp to vegan fish fillets. The items can be pricey sometimes so check around. The shrimp are good, just don't overcook them. I really really love the taste of the fish fillets, they even have the skin on it to make it look real(it's really seaweed). I hope this helps.

Thanks I will ook around i want some sooooo badly!!!

[nhyhsh]

Hi!  I actually get them at Whole Foods... the brand is VegeUSA and it says "VEGAN SHRIMP" big on the front of the box... They're really good; the texture is nice without being too like real shrimp, and the flavor is subtle and not too overpowering.  They go really good in a stirfry or grilled on a skewer.

3

My local Wholefoods doesnt carry them but I will ask to order some.  I want to make that Happy Ragoon Recipe with this one. Thanks anyway!

[the1stdrop]

My local Wholefoods doesnt carry them but I will ask to order some.  I want to make that Happy Ragoon Recipe with this one. Thanks anyway!

I want to try them in that too!  Good luck finding the shrimp!  

[sharkie]

I made this tonight for my half-vegan very supportive boyfriend and myself.  We liked it a lot and it cooked up a lot faster than I expected (I used boxed "lo mein" noodles, so they didn't take 9 minutes to cook).  The only thing that I was not expecting was how spicy it was!  Granted, I have no spice tolerance, but it caught my boyfriend a little off-guard as well.  But, it was still tasty, and that's all that matters.  I will likely make it again but make sure to include some pea pods and bean sprouts, since I didn't have any this time.