Hey all. I've been more and more grossed out by meat lately (due to what I've been eating-- I've been eating a lot of turkey in palce of beef, which basically makes me go "ew, beef
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You could try Morningstar Burger crumbles in place of hamburger. It's texturized vegetable protien with a beef-like flavor. It works well for stffed peppers and if you must have "beef" in your chili. Also with tofu, for someone who is afraid of it (I used to be) the best way to start is small. Make an enchilada with finely chopped or crumbled tofu. Or make a tofu salsa - just add finely chopped tofu. Both of these should have medium (not firm or extra firm) tofu. Build up from there. Next try a tofu stir fry, cutting firm tofu into 1/2" by 1" rectangles with lots of veggies and a tasty sauce like the one below:
In a small bowl, combine 1tbsp rice vinegar 2tsp honey 1 1/2tsp soy sauce 1/4tsp hot sauce 2tsp cornstarch
When the stir fry is just about done, put this on it and stir until it thickens a bit. This is for a single serving (I usually only cook for myself). Tofu is what you make of it.
Don't try to substitute meat for tofu with someone who's not sure they like it -- it's going to be a disappointment, because tofu just doesn't behave like meat, and they're not going to be willing to try again.
Look for recipes that are specifically made for tofu and you're more likely to have some success. I happen to like it in miso soup.
You should definitely try the soy-crumbles that resemble hamburger or sausage. They aren't tofu, but they aren't meat. I use them in everything from tacos and sloppy joes to breakfast burritos and spaghetti sauce. Morningstar apparently makes some good ones, but so does GoLean!, which i think you can find in the health-food areas of your local supermarket.
Tofu is a rather bland ingredient that tends to take on the flavors of whatever you season it with... that said, maybe you could try something meatless but non-tofu for the dinner for your mom. That way it doesnt turn her off to vegetarian cooking. You could make spinach lasagna, or eggplant parmesan, because they're kind of vegetarian takes on meat-dishes that don't seem too "out there."
If you REALLY want to get freaked out by beef, read eric Schlosser's "Fast Food Nation", or its predecessor-in-spirit, "The Jungle", by Upton Sinclair.
Good luck with the tofu, though - I'm thinking of trying tofu tacos soon myself - with all the spices, I'll hardly notice the lack of meat.
I'm in Canada and use Yves "Ground Round", but if you can't get that where you are, others have suggested various alternative brands. It looks, feels and *almost* tastes like cooked, seasoned ground beef (I find it to be a little sweeter
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Also with tofu, for someone who is afraid of it (I used to be) the best way to start is small. Make an enchilada with finely chopped or crumbled tofu. Or make a tofu salsa - just add finely chopped tofu. Both of these should have medium (not firm or extra firm) tofu. Build up from there. Next try a tofu stir fry, cutting firm tofu into 1/2" by 1" rectangles with lots of veggies and a tasty sauce like the one below:
In a small bowl, combine
1tbsp rice vinegar
2tsp honey
1 1/2tsp soy sauce
1/4tsp hot sauce
2tsp cornstarch
When the stir fry is just about done, put this on it and stir until it thickens a bit. This is for a single serving (I usually only cook for myself). Tofu is what you make of it.
Reply
Look for recipes that are specifically made for tofu and you're more likely to have some success. I happen to like it in miso soup.
Reply
Tofu is a rather bland ingredient that tends to take on the flavors of whatever you season it with... that said, maybe you could try something meatless but non-tofu for the dinner for your mom. That way it doesnt turn her off to vegetarian cooking. You could make spinach lasagna, or eggplant parmesan, because they're kind of vegetarian takes on meat-dishes that don't seem too "out there."
Reply
Good luck with the tofu, though - I'm thinking of trying tofu tacos soon myself - with all the spices, I'll hardly notice the lack of meat.
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