Cooking With Tofu Or Soy

[ligonier 0]

Just a tip for those of you who like the idea of tofu. but can't get into the texture or flavor of it.

 

Try the meatless ground "beef" stuff. It's texture is almost identical to ground beef, and when you add your own seasonings to it, you can't tell the difference.

 

I've tried many of the different forms of it, from meatless chili beans to ground taco "meat", and have not been dissapointed yet.

 

I've also tried many of the meatless burger patties, and they range from good to nearly awful. And there's no way to know until you've tried them. But for the patties, none of them tastes like a beef burger. You can't expect to try any of them and have them taste like beef.

 

Whereas the ground (textured vegetable protein) product is surprisingly like the real thing.

 

And most of them are way more healthier than ground beef itself.

 

A recommended try, if you can find it : Chili Man brand vegetarian chili beans, in a can. Other top picks are the ones they sell in, or next to, the produce section of your supermarket. I've liked all of the flavored ones I've tried (usually a "taco" or "Mexican" seasoning). I currently have one by Litelife brand called "Smart Ground" in an "original" flavor. I'll let you know after I try it how it is.

 

Due to some health issues, I've tried to cut back on red meat consumption, and these ground soy products have really been helpful.

[little koshka 0]

Re: soy meat products..

Morningstar Farms has some pretty good products - there is a ground meat product that is good, the veggie sausage patties are good, and the "steak"strips are also good (in pita sandwiches).

 

The Boca Burgers vegan or original are also pretty good.

 

Note on the Chili Man chili - it makes an interesting omelette - my picky husband even likes it..

[ligonier 0]

How do you use the Chili Man in an omelette ? I'm very interested.

 

As far as the MorningStar farms ground product and sausage patties, agreed very good. Never tried the "steak" strips though, have to check those out.

 

Also, the Boca vegan original flavor burgers are good, probably the best of all the flavors of veggie-burger patty that I've tried. The kids even eat them without wrinkling their nose, one even seems to prefer them over beef.

 

Have also tried the "chicken" nuggets, if you didn't know or see the box they came from, I really doubt anyone could tell the difference. They are breaded and by the time you dip them in your favorite sauce or ketchup, they taste the same as the processed chicken kind. Same with the breaded "chicken" patties. The flavor is neutral, and they taste like the breading and whatever condiments you make your sandwich with.

 

Eat healthier, live well.

[little koshka 0]

Eat healthier, live well..

 

I like that!

 

I will have to post the Chili Man Omlette recipe in the recipe section.

[ligonier 0]

This is not soy or Tofu, but is similar.

 

I've discovered a way to make a patty, that is meat free, healthy, and not too difficult. Plus if you do not like soy, this has no soy flavor.

 

First you have to buy "millers" bran, or wheat bran, and I have oat bran also.

 

This is not an exact recipe, each will have to experiment.

 

I use egg(s), wheat bran, oat bran, olive oil and varied seasonings.

 

Mix either whole egg, or egg whites with some wheat bran and olive oil. I take the egg and beat it in a bowl until mixed, I add wheat bran and pour the oil into the bran before stirring it all together. this seems to allow the oil to absorb into the bran and it all meshes well together. I use enough of the bran(s) to make a pastey consistency, like a really thick batter. Then I'll mix in whatever seasonings I would like it to taste like - clili powder, cayenne, kosher salt. I used chopped Las Palmas green chilis, I've used chopped jalapenos (fire roasted), and it's come out good. If I was to add onion or green pepper, I'd sautee it first because I don't think it'll cook long enough to fully cook raw veggies.

 

Then use a nonstick skillet and pour patty sized portions into the skillet to cook. Usually the batter I make is pretty thick and "pours" out into the skillet at approximately the same thickness (height) as a cooked burger patty. Then cook it as you would an egg omelet, until it's been long enough to cook the egg all the way through. Flipping it once to cook both sides evenly.

 

It browns and looks like a burger. In a sandwich with pickles & onions, mustard and ketchup, lettuce and tomato....tastes like a burger. Haven't figured out a way to barbecue it yet though.

 

With the added fiber of the bran, you can use regular white bread too, if whole wheat turns you off.

 

This is not a low fat patty. I add enough olive oil so I can taste it. Not enough, and the patty will be too dry and tough. There has to be enough oil to keep the wheat from glueing together and making it tough, and with the only other moisture from the egg, it needs the moisture from the oil. Adding the chilis or other veggies helps with the moisture and you can cut down on the oil, but be careful not to put too little. Also, with the 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bran you need to make the patty, there's a full day's supply of fiber in this. With the fact that I'm using the most "healthy" oil, and the high fiber content, and usually use only the egg whites, I justify eating these patties about once a week. I also don't usually eat them as a sandwich, but rather on a plate with ketchup to dip it in.