Faux no!
Where has all the faux meat in my kitchen come from?! When we moved to Portland we overindulged in all the new faux wonders here, But then I worked to get them out of our kitchen. Our latest stint with veggie burgers and the nuggets from Food Fight seem to show you otherwise, though!
I know that some of you have strong feelings about faux meats. And I know that some omnivores like to view it as a sign of weakness. And they can just reinforce bad pre-veg eating habits and keep people from exploring food-world and leave them wondering what they can eat. Personally, I'm not big on them because of the whole processed-food reasoning. But, sometimes I do use veggie burgers out of convenience and with the nuggets, well, I'm passing the buck to Jim on that one! He bought 'em! :) 
Leslie's Sloppy Lentils with a romaine, spinach, roma tomato salad, with Green Goddess dressing and shredded nuggets on top. The lentil look huge, but were really just a coffemug full. Delicious, if you haven't made them, give them a go. I was able to whip them up super fast and they are so flavorful. Mmm...
For a baked treat, last night I made Isa'a Fig Not-ins from VwaV. I already knew I loved these guys, but I decided to try something different. I made them lower fat and lower sugar, decreasing the dough sugar to 1/4 a cup (you can't tell!) and by using the 1/4 cup shortening, but omitting the 1/4 cup margarine and using applesauce. I also added 1/2 cup of raspberry jam to the fig filling for raspberry not-ins.
Now here's the technique I figured out for making these guys... she says to divide the dough into 2 balls and divide each rolled out ball into 3 strips. You put the filling on 3 of the strips and use the other 3 to top them with. But I found it hard to get the width and length right on the strips, so instead I divide the dough into 3 balls and roll out eachjavascript:void(0) ball, then fill one side of it and pull over the unfilled side and seal. Much easier, makes the same amount and they look nicer than my previous attempts. I made big bars this time... I love Isa.
14 comments:
Gosh, I looooove Leslie's lentils. I make them all the time!
Faux meats... I'm not a huge fan either, but I think they're okay once in a while. Hubby loves veggie dogs--I have to nag him about eating too many sometimes!
Thanks for tip on the not-ins. I haven't made them yet but am dying to. Yours do look perfect.
I just recently bought some faux stuff to try, not because I miss meat, but just to explore. Otherwise, I'm not a big fan either.
How funny about the fig not-ins. I was just looking at that recipe. I bought a jar of fig preserves and it wasn't as delicious as I had hoped it would be (at least on toast anyway). So I thought I could use it as the filling for the fig not-ins. Great tip on the making of them!
I always like tasty faux meats. I didn't become a vegan because I don't like the taste of meat. I became a vegan because I don't think animals should be eaten.
Oh good!
I will try leslie's lentils... AND I am so glad you posted the fig not-ins with reduced sugar and fat. I have been eyeing that recipe for so long, but felt it was just a little too fatty/sweetie for me. I'll try it your way. Also, thanks for the assembly tips!
Regarding the faux meat issue... I turned vegetarian when I was 14, and it took me about 13 years to become a vegan after that. It actually wasn't until I was a vegan, and met some other adventurous vegans that I started exploring faux meats. I really don't remember meat much, so that's not an issue. I usually avoid the packaged faux meats because of all the sodium and fats and such... but there are a few that I really enjoy as special treats. And I love making "meaty" dishes with seitan or whatever.
Generally, I'm pretty excited to try new things, including faux meats every once in a while.
I like faux meats on rare occaisions, so maybe 6-10 times a year I'll splurge. My things are nuggets and meetballs. I can't remember the last time I had either. Maybe June?
The fig not ins look good. I love Isa's recipes because you can totally play around with them and still end up with an awesome end product. I always use less sugar than she calls for and never end up with something less than something completely fantastically delicious.
I love the veggie dogs, everything else I can pass on. I've been vegetarian for 13 years and somehow they just don't taste right to me anymore.
The fig not-ins I've looked at, but I'll have to save them for a rainy day when I have a few hours. I made the samosas from VwaV for Christmas and it took like 3 1/2 hours. Perhaps I'm just really slow?
Kris:
the tofu may looks spicy like maxican for the color but is not spicy if you dont use the pepper adobo. my husband dont like spicy food but love this tofu!
the not-ins looks so good and profesional, yum!
i like to explore new things, so when a faux stuff come to the town , we try them. not a lot because her they are very costly. like a can of faux hot dogs is $5.25
The Fig Not-ins look awesome! That's a recipe I've been meaning to try. I'll think I'll do what you did and add in some raspberry jam. Fig filling by itself doesn't really appeal to me.
I'm not much into the processed faux meats, but that's because of the processing part! (like you said too.)
Those fig not-ins look so yummy! I love the raspberry part! :) Great substituting! I'm all into making them healthier!
Yum, those fig not-ins look delicious!
We use TVP a lot, and that's pretty much faux meat, just unseasoned. I do occaisionally crave store-bought veggie burgers or breakfast sausage.
I think the best thing about store-bought faux meats is that they're incredibly quick and easy. I'd say our favorite faux meat is Soyrizo. Yum, yum!
OK I just discussed it with Russell and here is our list: Health is Wealth Chick'n Nuggets/Burgers, Soyrizo, Gimme Lean Sausage, Amy's Texas or California burgers, and Yves Salami. So I guess we do like our faux meats. :):)
Just as a side note, our least favorites are: (Russell) tofurky holiday roast thing, (Ruthie) Veat. Ewwwww.... :) And of course, real meat is the grossest of ALL!
The Morningstar fake burgers are pretty good. The Boca ones are horrible because the taste is too realistic.
I've done the same thing w/ the faux meats. Usually when they're on sale - stuff I'd *never* buy otherwise, I see it on sale and think I should stock up. So silly :)
Happy 2007!
<3 Mikaela
I've been vegetarian and sometimes vegan since I was 11 (12 years now) and just started using faux meats a couple years ago. Before that I thought they were pretty weird but I don't mind having them occasionally. Some are actually really tasty. Also, it's nice that I don't have to deny my little boy all the foods he hears about elsewhere and wants to try. It just so happens that my versions are cruelty-free and generally healthier.
I think faux-meats are just fine. I don't tend to eat a lot of them myself, but so many food "memories" are made while we're young and I think it's OK to acknowledge that our senses "miss" the textures of foods we were fed while growing up.
I think it's exciting that people who grew up eating meat are making the conscious choice not to eat it any more!
It's funny but just because someone is vegetarian doesn't mean that they love all vegetables - I know a number of (faux-)meat-and-potatoes vegetarians and although I myself love new, fresh ingredients there's no accounting for taste sometimes. There is, however, something to be said for someone that eats with respect for the universe.
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