| Why? I'm not a vegetarian, but I could be, easily. As I grew up, we usually had meat only once or twice a week - an economics thing, I suppose, but it just seemed normal, to me. So, while I enjoy a good steak or fried chicken, I don't feel poorly fed if a meal doesn't include meat. Many of my friends and family members are or were vegetarians, so I'm accustomed to eating foods that might be thought, by dyed-in-the-wool meat eaters, to be weird. What? My collection includes several recipes that call for vegetarian meat substitute products (e.g., Worthington Vegetarian Burger, Loma Linda Nuteena, etc. - now owned by Kellogg). I have given you the names of those my family prefers, but you may certainly try those you prefer. In the case of a burger substitute, you may even be able to use ground beef instead of the substitute, but the texture and taste may not be desirable. By the way, I don't have any recipes that include them, but I do recommend the Morningstar Farms products, at least a few of which are usually available in the grocer's frozen foods section. I like the Grillers, Grillers Prime, and Spicy Black Bean Burgers for sandwiches, and the Breakfast Links and Breakfast Patties as sausage substitutes. I like to toss some of the Recipe crumbles into a casserole, much as many people add ground beef to their macaroni and cheese. No, they don't taste just like meat (see below) but, I don't care. They're good. Where? The vegetarian products in my recipes can often be found at a health food store or, in some communities, the dietetic or gourmet sections of the grocery store. Either of those sources may be willing to special-order an item for you - ask them. However, the greatest selection of these products, both canned and frozen, may usually be found at a Seventh-day Adventist Book Center. My experience has been that you may comfortably shop at an "ABC" without anyone asking you if you are a church member, and without anyone trying to convert you, so don't be afraid to try that source. If you don't live near an ABC, check out the ABC store locator. Call or e-mail them to find out if they have a bookmobile that stops in your area. How? Those who eat meat are sometimes encouraged to try these products, with the promise: "It tastes just like chicken (or beef, or ham, or whatever.)" I'll tell you right now, it doesn't. Or at least it rarely does. But many of the substitutes are tasty foods in their own right. Some of them aren't particularly tasty by themselves, but are excellent when used as an ingredient in a recipe. Don't ask, "Does it taste like meat?" Ask, "Does it taste good?" Once you learn how to prepare it correctly, you'll often find it does. Bon veggie appétit! |
| Now, about that Veggie stuff.... |
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