TYPES OF MEAT SUBSTITUTES
Different types of meat replacements and meat substitutes for vegan and vegetarian diets include Tofu and Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP).
Tofu is commonly known as bean curd and is made from soy bean milk. The bean curd is processed very similarly to cheese and even resembles cheese. Fresh Tofu is usually unflavored but can also be bought with flavoring. Tofu readily blends and soaks up flavor easily so it tastes like whatever spice or sauce you mix it with.
Tofu comes in three main varieties soft tofu, firm Asian tofu and firm dried tofu. Firm tofu can be fried and eaten plain or with sauces or combined and cooked in other dishes such as Chinese tofu vegetarian stir fry. Tofu can also be made from yellow split peas, rice flour or black beans. Tofu is typically eaten raw, in stir fry, soups and stews, or stuffed. Firm tofu is best for vegan kabob recipes, casserole and stir fry recipes that require larger chunks of tofu. Soft tofu is best when blending into dishes or in Asian soups. Tofu is perishable so you should always ready the expiration date on the package, once opened tofu must be covered with water, rinsed daily and used within 5 days.
TVP - Textured vegetable protein or commonly known as TSP textured soy protein is a meat substitute made from soy flour. The protein is made into dough that is extruded and cut into various shapes and then it is dried in an oven. Textured soy protein is dehydrated and needs to be rehydrated with hot or cold water before use. Soy protein comes in various shapes from chunks to flakes and is usually flavorless, but adding flavor can be done when it is rehydrated. You can also buy soy protein with imitation flavors added such as bacon, BBQ, chicken and beef. Dry TVP has a shelf life of 1 year at room temperature. After you rehydrate soy protein you need to use it right away or store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. TVP and TSP are inexpensive and you can make a bulk purchase of vegetarian TVP.
Soy protein is fun to work with and now vegetarians and vegans can make recipes that usually call for meat. Vegetable or soy protein replaces ground beef meat in recipes. Soy protein can make some familiar dishes like vegan chili, vegetarian casserole, vegetarian lasagna, sloppy Joes, pasta sauces, Asian vegan recipes, vegan tacos, vegan fajitas and veggie burgers.
Simple Vegetarian TVP Taco Recipe (Textured Vegetable Protein)
Vegetable protein or soy protein
½ head lettuce, cut up or chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
Taco seasoning
Water for rehydration
Taco shells or soft taco wraps
Hot sauce or cholula
Chop and cut the lettuce, tomatoes and onions and place in separate bowls. Rehydrate small chunk soy protein according to package and serving size desired. Add taco seasoning mix to soy protein. Create a buffet style meal and place the tvp taco meat and the bowls of chopped vegetables on the table so people can put their own toppings on. Put a spoon in each bowl and make a couple of sauces to drizzle over the top of your Vegan taco.
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