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Meat Substitutes Tips
Experiment with Substitutes
There are countless soy and vegetable-based meat substitutes on the market that will make your transition to meatless fare a piece of cake. You can buy frozen ground beef or sausage substitutes to use in tacos, sloppy joes, chili and lasagne. You can also find many varieties of veggie burgers, meatless hot dogs, vegetarian deli slices, and other meat replacements to satisfy any desire you might have for some of these "comfort foods".
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Vegetarian Meatloaf: A Simple Meat Substitute Recipe
Vegetarian meatloaf is the perfect meat substitute dish; it’s fast, easy to prepare in advance and you can even freeze it to serve later! It’s also a terrific way to introduce a meatless dish to the family in order to take advantage of the health benefits of reducing dietary fat and cholesterol. Even those hard to please “meat and potato” people will enjoy this meat substitute!
Ingredients
Fantastic Foods veggie burger mix
1 ½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 small onion diced
2 stalks fresh celery diced
Pinch of salt and pepper [optional]
3 cloves fresh garlic crushed
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp sage
½ tsp dry mustard
¼ cup organic ketchup
¼ cup oatmeal [or 2 eggs if not vegan]
¼ to ½ cup of tomato or V-8 juice [1/4 cup if using eggs. ½ cup if using oatmeal]
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Use olive oil to grease loaf pan. Combine vegetables, veggie meat, breadcrumbs, spices and seasoning into large bowl then slowly add tomato juice. Set aside the ketchup! Continue to stir until combined. Pat mixture into loaf pan, pour ketchup on top and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for one hour. Remove and let cool before serving.
Vegetarian meatloaf is complimented with fresh green beans, mashed potatoes and carrots, but make plenty as everyone will want seconds of this delicious meat substitute favorite!
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Too Much Protein
Most people in developed countries eat TOO MUCH protein (often double the recommended amount). High protein intake can lead to calcium loss and osteoporosis. It also contributes to high cholesterol, heart disease, and kidney disease.
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How to Cook Tofu
When most people think of vegetarian recipes, tofu inevitably comes to mind. Unfortunately, many people have tried tofu only to encounter a slimy, flavorless mush. The good news is that anyone can prepare delicious, enticing tofu while gaining the benefits of soy foods. Once you know how it’s easy!
Tofu can be prepared in a multitude of ways! There is baked tofu, fried tofu, grilled tofu and even tofu stir fry! The biggest mistake most people make is buying the wrong type of tofu. Once you understand how to buy tofu then cooking it is easy!
There are two main types of tofu that can be found in three different consistencies. Silken tofu is a Japanese style tofu with a softer consistency than regular tofu and is more apt to crumble or “mush.” Regular tofu is also called “Chinese tofu” and is more common. This is most often the type of tofu you find in the refrigerator section. Tofu comes in soft, medium and firm consistency so be sure to use the type of tofu required for the recipe! Always drain the tofu before preparing it.
Soft silken tofu is often used for sauces, creams, soups or other recipes that require a smooth, creamy consistency. Chinese or bean curd tofu; especially with a firm consistency, is often used for frying or as a meat substitute.
The secret to cooking soy foods, like tofu, is learning how to buy the right type for the recipe and cooking method!
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Substituting Meat
When you replace the meat in your recipe with plant-based ingredients, you should expect the finished product to look and taste different than when it was made with meat. The difference isn´t necessarily better or worse, just different. It may take some getting used to, but with time you may prefer the new version.
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Salsa Scrambler: A Tasty Tofu Scrambler for Anytime!
This recipe is so good you will want to use it any time of the day or night; from an early morning breakfast delight to a fast Friday night dinner that is abundantly more healthy than any drive-thru, Tasty Tofu Scrambler is sure to become one of your favorite dishes!
This egg and meat substitute is the perfect companion dish. Or, you can serve it as the main feature with this easy-to-make version of Salsa Scrambler.
Ingredients
1 box Fantastic Foods Tofu Scrambler
2 scallions diced
1 small green pepper diced
1 small fresh tomato diced
½ cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 small clove fresh garlic
5-6 black olives diced
1 jalapeno [optional]
Salt, pepper [optional]
1 sprig fresh cilantro
Favorite cheese [optional]
Directions Prepare Fantastic Foods tofu scrambler as directed. Mix in diced vegetables while retaining a small portion of the tomato, green pepper and scallion. Stir fry until warmed. Serve to plate and sprinkle remainder of the tomato, pepper and scallions on top as fresh garnish. Serve while warm.
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Tofu Burgers with Taste
If you think that tofu burgers are bland unsatisfying, think again. A tofu burger will be as flavorful or unflavorful as you make it. Looking for a good idea? Try making some delicious smoked tofu burgers that will leave no room for complaints. Before getting started, grill some firm tofu over mesquite chips for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, follow the recipe below:
¼ cup finely diced bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 ½ tablespoons of dark sesame oil
4 ounces of cremini mushrooms, finely diced
¼ jalapeño pepper, minced
1 tablespoon of reduced sodium soy sauce
Smoked tofu
½ cup cooked brown rice
2/3 cup unseasoned dry breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 egg white
Oriental-flavored cooking spray
Whole-wheat hamburger buns
1 red onion, sliced
Sauté the bell pepper, chopped onion, garlic, and jalapeno chili in sesame oil until tender (about 5 minutes). Add mushrooms and soy sauce and sauté for 3 to 4 additional minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir tofu, rice, and breadcrumbs into mixture and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in egg white and form “burger” shapes.
Spray a large pan with cooking spray and meat on medium until hot. Spray the tops of the “burgers” with cooking spray and turn until cooked and browned on both sides.
Serve on buns with sliced onions.
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Soy Meat Alternates
Meat alternatives made from soybeans contain soy protein or tofu and other ingredients mixed together to simulate various kinds of meat. These meat alternatives are sold as frozen, canned or dried foods. Usually, they can be used the same way as the foods they replace. With so many different meat alternatives available to consumers, the nutritional value of these foods varies considerably. Generally, they are lower in fat, but read the label to be certain. Meat alternatives made from soybeans are excellent sources of protein, iron and B vitamins.
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Protein Sources
Nuts are a wonderful source of protein, and they can actually lower cholesterol levels. Also, try cooking with quinoa, a quick cooking ancient grain full of especially high-quality protein.
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The Truth About Protein Combining
According to nutritionist Bonnie Minsky, vegetarians should consume at leart one or two complimentary grains every day. In her book, Nutrition in a Nutshell," she explains that Ezekiel's Bread is an ideal biblical example of plant protein combining. Also, contrary to popular opinion, beans and grains do not have to be consumed together, but can be consumed at any time within a 24-hour period.
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Grilled Tofu
For a tasty variation on tofu, try grilling it on your barbecue. Press firm or extra-firm tofu for 30-60 minutes to remove excess moisture. Brush with a mixture of soy sauce and sesame oil and grill, basting with the same mixture until browned, about 5 minutes per side. To prevent your tofu from sticking, brush your grill generously with oil beforehand.
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Differences in Tofu Consistency
In the process of making tofu, hot soy milk is blended with a coagulant to form a curd. At this stage, soft tofu is poured directly into its package. For medium to extra-firm tofu, the curd is poured into a mold, covered with cotton, pressed to form a block, cut and then packaged. The textures of each type of tofu vary greatly, and each has specific uses in recipes.
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Add Powdered Tofu for Vegan Protein
For extra protein in your diet, add 1/2 a package of silken tofu to smoothies or stir-frys. No one will notice the difference.
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Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is particularly silky in texture. Like other tofu on the market, it ranges from soft to extra-firm. Silken tofu is poured directly into an aseptic box and needs no refrigeration before opening.
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Pressed Medium Tofu
Many recipes call for pressed medium tofu. The smoothness of medium tofu is beneficial, but the water content may be too high. Therefore, tofu must be pressed before using to remove excess water and preventing the liquid from weeping and causing your dish to be soggy.
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Limit Your Protein
It´s best for most people to limit their protein intake to 70 grams per day. Most people who eat diets that center on meat or lots of dairy products exceed this level.
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Pressing Tofu
To press tofu, and remove excess water, remove the tofu from the package and place it on a dinner plate. Place another plate of equal size over the tofu, and weight it down with 2-3 cans or other similar weight. Press the tofu for about 15-20 minutes. Discard the liquid and proceed with your recipe.
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Where to Find Soyfoods
The more popular soyfoods such as tofu, meat alternatives, soy sauce, soy flour and soybean oil, can be found in supermarkets. In natural and health foods stores you will find the greatest variety of soyfoods. Asian food stores carry most of those soyfoods used in East Asia. Several products, such as textured soy flour, textured soy protein concentrates, soynuts and soynut butter can be obtained through mail-order catalogs.
