Comments for I Have Cat

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by CG

CG — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:44:00 +0000

Hi there. I’ve followed your blog for some time. I have two wonderful kitties and I run a vegetarian food blog. My husband is vegetarian (I’m not). I make vegetarian/vegan dishes from many cultures and I test fake meat products and post reviews.

I have liked Trader Joe’s soyrizo and Harmony Valley Vegetarian Hamburger Mix as far as fake ground meat goes. I think the best type of products tends to come already seasoned because the spices mask that awful fake meat taste. I’ve pretty much given up on finding a fake meat product that successfully simulate that meat texture and mouth feel.

Although I do think that fake meat can be a good part of a vegan diet, I think you can do fine without any fake meat. To me, it’s about having enough variety to keep it interesting.

http://www.veggies4carnivores.com

Comment on Max + Bob = Best Friends Forever by Tina

Tina — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:51:00 +0000

This is such a beautiful story! You have truly facilitated the opportunity for two individuals to serve one another in the most loving way! It is simply said – A win/win for all! Thank you for doing all you do and doing so with love!

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by Connie

Connie — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Have you ever had Quorn?

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by Martha

Martha — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:59:00 +0000

On the news just now there was an announcement that scientists have perfected the first test tube hamburger, made with beef manufactured with stem cells. No cruelty free food here. So you can have your hamburger and eat it too!

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by Kelly Komura

Kelly Komura — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:35:00 +0000

Yes, I’ve used Smart Ground. I mix it with Boca crumbles to make a vegetarian meatloaf

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by Deborahjulian

Deborahjulian — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:35:00 +0000

I am pescatarian too. My husband and I haven’t eaten meat for about 15 years. I have not found a fake meat product that I want to eat. Instead of trying to recreate meat I have really changed the way I eat and have explored the vegetarian dishes of different ethnic cuisines–Italian is my stand by but some of my favorite new recipes are Turkish, Vietnamese, Lebanese–with their use of fresh herbs and spicy condiments. Who needs meat? I don’t even think about it. My new favorite foods are so much better!

http://ww.DeborahJulian.etsy.com

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:17:00 +0000

I have never found a commercial meat substitute that I liked, I just don’t like processed packaged foods. I actually learned from long-time vegetarian friends about taking firm or extra-firm tofu and freezing it in the package, then thawing it and pressing it to sqeeze out most of the liquid. Then you can slice it or julienne it or whatever you’d like, soak it in a brine of just a little sea salt and water, dry it off and use it in place of chicken or pork in recipes because it keeps its shape–I even breaded it and used it in place of pork cutlets in a few recipes, and one time made “tofubeef stew” that fooled even my mother and brother. It sounds complicated, but if you thaw meat and prepare it, this is not too different. I’ve really grown away from tofu and other soy products since I find they are just as processed as the processed for I didn’t like before, and much of the soy is not organic or sustainably grown.

I made up my own vegan meat substitute when I cooked a little too much lentil-rice pilaf one time–it looked like meatloaf to me! So I added bread crumbs plus other dry grains like oatmeal and wheat bran, plus olive oil to give it body and help it stick together and made “meatlof”, “meatballs” for spaghetti and for soups. I also made that old Polish-Ukrainian staple food, holubtsi–or “stuffed cabbages” to those not of East European descent–and I like them better than the ones with meat–and again, fooled my mother! You can add a little agar agar to it to help hold it together if you want, and if you’re not vegan you an add a few eggs. The neat thing is you can make a huge amount, what would equal five pounds of ground meat, for about $1.00, and freeze it in smaller containers.

Sorry for the long message! It’s something I’ve experimented with for years, and it’s been great fun.

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by I HAVE CAT

I HAVE CAT — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Saw that in Whole Foods and was curious about it….bummer though that they aren’t vegan.
wah.

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by I HAVE CAT

I HAVE CAT — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:18:00 +0000

I thought about eating humanely raised beef and pork at first….but I decided if I couldn’t imagine killing an animal i should be eating it…now Fresh eggs i would be into! I try and buy free roaming eggs from the Farmers Market where I know the chickens are happy (those farms are checked out before they can participate in the farmers market). I love lentils!
Have you checked out my lentil stew and lentil soup recipes!? A super easy thing to do with canned lentils if in a pitch is to dump them into ready made marinara sauce.
T

Comment on (Mis)Adventures in Fake Meat by I HAVE CAT

I HAVE CAT — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:15:00 +0000

I never liked the taste of meat..I liked meat that didn’t taste like meat! ha! I’m all about the sauces! I do want to try the Gardein though! I have tried their buffalo chicken in the restaurant before…it tasted so real it kind of grossed me out!
Never heard of Sofie’s choice…..will check it out. Thanks for the suggestions and for sharing your experiences!