Just Because I became a Vegetarian Doesn't Mean I Stopped Eating "Meat"
This page was updated on: 02/25/2009
Ok, I was perusing the internet a while back because I
saw something in a vegetarian magazine about a fish replacement. I found
that fascinating! Did you know that there are meatless substitutes for
shrimp, fish and almost all other seafood?? I was amazed to find this
out. I've only tried one of these, a meatless Salmon I found at my local
Whole Foods Market. I didn't like it very much.... But I digress. I
started thinking about these meat replacements. I had been living off of
tofu for a long time and thought that that was the only healthful
vegetarian addition out there. Now, I don't have anything against tofu!
I like it just fine. I was just thinking there might be something else
out there.
I started doing some research into meat replacements and found a serious
lack of information or opinions about these "fake meats". I did find
quite a few products...tofu dogs, Boca burgers, lunch "meats" etc. I
tried a lot of these and found most of them passable at best and down
right horrible at worst. So, I decided to keep a list of the brands I
really liked, what they were and how I used them. I started thinking
that this information *might* be helpful to those who are new
vegetarians and those who just want to cut out more meat in their diet
but not lose the texture and taste they are used to.
Now before some of you start sending me hate mail about "how dare I" I
want you to know that I am a fully committed vegetarian. I am committed
to animal rights and the right of all things to live and breathe and be
happy and free. Although all my recipes and information is about meat
replacements...they are *replacements*! My recipes and information is to
enlighten new or transitional vegetarians or those that just still like
the taste and texture of meat but don't want to eat anything with a
face. I guess you could say I'm not a "purist" ... not yet anyway. :)
One of the first things I found after the tofu was a product called Seitan (seems to be pronounced like the Christian devil. LOL) I found that it was pretty good. It has a "meaty" consistency, sometimes, that lends itself well to a lot of things. As with most meat replacements, some are better than others. Since then, I've come across quite a few products I really like and use often.
Now, on to the brands I like, what they are and why: