I am considering going vegan
Posted by batmaninlove on Dec 14, 2008 · Member since Dec 2008 · 1 posts
I am so used to cooking with meat. I think, to start, I might try using some meat substitutes that I can use in my old standby (spaghetti sauce, chili, etc.) recipes.
Can anyone suggest a list of various foodstuffs, products, etc. that can be used in place of meat in various dishes?
Thanks,
Batmaninlove
p.s. By the way, this monikor comes from the tongue in cheek 60's TV show, a la, "Oh no! Could it be!? The Batman! In love!? With..his..arch-enemy!? The Catwoman!???!!!
i have used and liked:
tofurkey deli slices
veggie dogs
soy chorizo
tempeh!
i don't really use any of it much, but it's all good for starting out or if you want the flavour/texture or whatever.
Here is a link to a thread with lots of "meatless" (vegan) products and reviews:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=24055.0
Vegan boca burgers taste pretty much like fast food burgers. Most people can't tell the dif if you don't tell them. Smart Dogs are good, also Boca makes a vegan chickin patty that's good on a bun. Trader Joe's has good chicken nuggets, and Riblets also taste just like a fast food riblet. I've never found a burger crumble I liked, but fantastic foods make a great fake taco meat mix thingy. And Nate's meatballs are also omni-proof. Learn a couple good tofu recipes, and you're golden.
I disagree with most people not being able to taste the difference. I think they taste awesome but any omni that I know will dispute that they taste like actual meat. My boys really like veg chikn patties and riblets and will eat boca burgers and crumbles but they like them for what they are and do not think they taste like meat.
ALWAYS have tofu (or preferred meat replacer like seitan) , burger like crumbles (i use morningstar), and pasta in the house. It pays off!
Meatless meatballs. (cheap at trader joes). mmmmm
I vote for Tofurky anything... there are a number of low/no fat fake meat products out there, and they're good and all, but taste less like meat IMHO. Tofurky products are higher in fat (and more natural than soy protein isolate!) and taste more "authentic" to me and my omni kin.
Tofurky for sure. O and if you want TVP, go to your local Indian import store and get "soyatein". It's about 1/2 the price of TVP at natural food stores.(Soyatein/TVP + soysauce, garlic powder and onion powder= cheap homemade beefy veg. crumble.)
Important note about the transition, make sure you don't just substitute your real meat with veggie meats. Read your nutritional info and know what you're missing. I was missing a lot of calories and fat when I first quit eating meat, which I thought was a good thing, but your body needs them! After the third time I fell asleep on the bus, I looked into it, and made avocados and olive oil more regular staples (and a good iron supplement).
I use morningstarcrumbles for ground beef. Trader joes has vegan morningstar burgers but I have not found them in the store.. Boca has a good chicken patty. But all that stuff is heavily prosessed and should only be used sparingly just to make the transition. ;)b
gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets!
TRUST ME, THEY'RE AMAZING.
hah
gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets!
TRUST ME, THEY'RE AMAZING.
hah
You are stuck on the riblet.
Tofurkey for slices
Soyrizo
Smartground
morningstar chicken
Boca burgers
I'm not really answering your question but since you are considering going vegan I would like to recommend a great podcast for new and old vegans alike: Colleen's "Vegetarian Food for Thought" http://www.compassionatecooks.com/podcast.htm
Helen's Kitchen veg chicken steaks are AWESOME. You would swear it was chicken if you didn't know any better.
gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets!
TRUST ME, THEY'RE AMAZING.
hah
You are stuck on the riblet.
I really am.. I think its because i havent had them in months and miss them :(
I really am.. I think its because i havent had them in months and miss them :(
Don't deprive yourself! Have one!
I really am.. I think its because i havent had them in months and miss them :(
Don't deprive yourself! Have one!
I just did. You made me hungry for it. MMMMMMMMMMMM
gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets! gardenburger riblets!
TRUST ME, THEY'RE AMAZING.
hah
agreed!!
I just did. You made me hungry for it. MMMMMMMMMMMM
See, Sarah, you've started a trend.
I've never had one of those riblets.
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