Vegetarian meals that are very similar to meat ones?

Question

I can't go a meal without poultry or red meat, but obviously it's bad for me and worse for them. Seriously. I'm not joking about either of those. I *hate* that I'm so reliant on meat, not only because I've seen those behind-the-scenes videos of the horrendous things they do to animals (and just to help the campaign, if you have ideas on what we, as 'average' citizens can do to fight the Ag-Gag, please let me know!), but also because I hate knowing that these sweethearts will be butchered, no matter how humanely. (How can it be humane, if they're killing them!) So I say this from a moral standpoint, too.
A little note:
* I have low thyroid, so tofu maybe not so good for me. Before I moved thousands of miles away, I knew a place that used to make me Eggless Salad, and I LOVED it, and yes, I know it was tofu You do realize I said I eat lots of red meat. Obviously, I'm not a healthy person.
* A lot of those fast food looking substitutes in the store, I just don't like them.
* I don't know what's in it, but I do love TVP. Can't get enough of it. So when we make chili or spaghetti sauce, I sometimes make my own meatless one. And my husband highly suspects that I'm stretching his meat-laden sauces with TVP. (Who me? No way! Okay, yes. I am. Much more than he knows. I use TVP AND Natures Burger LOL!!)

So, if you have the patience and don't mind that you might not 'win' the 10 points (based on however many people apply), I just could really use all the advice I can get. THX!

Answer 1

Brands I like are

Morning Star has a very Good Spicy Black Bean Vegetarian Patty

Quorn Brand has a good line of products

Evol has a good line (also gluten and allergy free products)

Amy's (also gluten and allergy free products)

Boca

Ians Mushroom/Bean Burgers

Udis (gluten Free allergen free)



If you are looking for fresh products you cook yourselves...I use these consistently

Meatless Morning Star Sausage Crumbles or Bacon

All kinds of Mushrooms

Portabello Mushroom steaks and sandwiches

Firm/extra firm tofu (will take on the flavors of what you cook it with...garlic, onions, sauces, etc...) consistency of chicken

Zucchini

Seitan

Beans and Lentils

Tempeh

Eggplant



I am editing this to help you a little more...



Ok, super for making a change. Now you have to be careful. This is a great decision but if you don’t do it right you can actually GAIN weight! I have seen this happen to friends who eat things that are highly processed and don’t go for the right balance of nutrition! I am processed sugar, gluten, and meat free. I have lost 145 lbs in the last 21 months. Another option that people go for is fish or fish seafood only…this is your personal choice…



Cheeses…Look for light and low fat cheeses. Some good choices are Swiss, Havarti, Cheddar, Feta (which comes in flavors), Ricotta, Mozzarella, and the Laughing Cow Light Wedges and Light Baby Bell.



Nuts and seeds do offer you a lot of protein but some are higher in fat than others. Some good choices here are…almonds, pine nuts, walnut, pecans, hazelnut, cashews (higher in fat), peanut, nut spreads (watch for added sugar and how much you use), pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds…You can add these to salads and even to soups and casseroles…They add a nice texture…



Beans like kidney and pinto or garbanzo, Lentils, Split Peas, and grains like quinoa (pronounced “Keen-Wah”) all have protein and are great for soups and stews etc. They add a nice layer of flavor and texture. Pairing them with root veggies and tomatoes is great. Red Lentils and mint is a favorite combo of mine.



Tofu—Firm, Extra Firm, and Soft (tofu will take on the flavor of the sauce or veggies and herbs you cook it with) so if you cook with garlic, shallots, onions, soy sauce, peppers, chiles, etc, that is the flavor profile your tofu will also take. The firmer tofu will have a texture like chicken…the softer a creamer yogurt like texture…

Seitan and Tempeh are very much in this realm… you can add them like you would meat…or the meatless crumbles and bacon bits…mushrooms are great for adding a meaty quality and earthy flavor to dishes and there are soooooo many kinds to choose from. Squash, zucchini, pumpkin, and eggplant also provides a meaty texture (though not exactly) and a different flavor profile…You can also shred carrots, zucchini squash to add texture to dishes and enhance the flavor. I love to stuff giant portabello mushrooms with a sauté of smaller mushrooms, gluten free bread garlic, herbs, onions, shredded zucchini, shredded carrots, spinach, top with mozzarella salt and pepper, and broil until cheese is browned slightly and bubbly. Mushrooms, onions, spinach, and cheese grilled cheese are delicious



Chicken and duck eggs. If you want to be healthiest just eat the egg whites. This is the part that contains the protein. The yolk contains the fat. So you can use egg substitute if you want to. Make a tomato, cheese and egg breakfast sandwich…

Answer 2

I've never liked the meat substitutes either, but when I went vegetarian I was 13, and it was the 80s in Tulsa Oklahoma, so veggie burgers and TVP were NOT an option.

As I learned to cook, I became very fond of eggplant. There are many mainstream eggplant dishes that are vegetarian, yet frequently ordered by omnivores in restaurants: Eggplant Parmesan, Ratatouille, Eggplant lasagna, Grilled eggplant, peppers and onion sandwiches....

I still serve many of these to meat eating guests. (And to my meat eating husband.)

And yes, I often make chili or sloppy joes or tacos with (highly spiced) TVP.

I never eat tofu, or any other soy product. My substitute of choice is a portobello mushroom.



The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (a group of highly respected medical experts) has a Vegetarian Starter Kit which should be interesting reading-

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/

Lots of people (men, especially) find it useful to look at the health aspects of a plant based diet, rather than just the ethical ones.

Answer 3

If you like TVP you'll love this site: http://mouthwateringvegan.com/



maybe watch this and you'll get a better idea about foods: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtW1j3ux4wM he goes through processed foods at the start and then gets into cooking with vegetables, fruits, legumes, wholegrains etc. If your thyroid function is low then vegetables are vital to ensure you get enough iodine. Dr Greger works for a site here: http://nutritionfacts.org/



there are many animal activist sites. Even ones that aren't PETA. Whyveg.com chooseveg.com vsh.org etc and they mostly all have vegan info and info about various campaigns.

Answer 4

You can make virtually any "ground meat" type dish, such as sloppy joe's, spaghetti sauce, tacos, etc., simply by substituting diced raw/dry-roasted cashews, various types of beans, and more diced veggies for the ground meat in the recipe. No need to use those ultra-processed, unhealthy mock-meat or soy-food offering that you see in the stores.

Answer 5

Kasha chili is one of my favorites and I am NOT vegan.





Ingredients







1 (28 oz.)can stewed tomatoes

3 cups vegetable broth

1 (14-1/2 oz.) can pinto beans

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. crushed or minced garlic

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. ground oregano

1/2 tsp. celery salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

3/4 cup Wolff's Whole Kasha (uncooked)





Method





In large skillet: add tomatoes, broth and spices. Bring to a light boil for 10 minutes. Add kasha and pinto beans, cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until kasha is tender. Serve hot.



Another idea is to use a mixture of cooked kasha, wild rice and chopped mushrooms, seasoned well as a filling for cabbage rolls or stuffed peppers. Its delicious.

Kasha is buckwheat groats and give the mouth feel of ground beef.