The Fake Meat Debate
A common question when talking to my students about the concept of vegetarianism is, "What do they eat?" … as if a meal without meat somehow loses it’s focus or validity. There are several schools of thought on what vegetarians eat in lieu of meat. One group says, well, nothing. Fruits, veggies, grains, beans, nuts (and dairy and eggs, if you so desire) are enough on their own and can produce substantial, flavorful meals. Another group often substitutes meat with protein-alternatives, also knows as meat analogues, or, more commonly, "fake" meats. Buddhist cuisine has used seitan, tempeh, and tofu for hundreds of years, and many other Asian cuisines often incorporates tofu into dishes.
Personally, I think fake meat is just that — fake. It’s not a substitute for the real thing, but I do enjoy them. And I don’t need it in every meal — I love a fat plate of well-prepared in-season veggies, and I rely on the versatility of pasta for many of my meals. In fact, I only use protein alternatives once or twice a week because they are more processed (and more expensive) than I would like (save the versatile tofu). Some aren’t even suitable for vegans. But, I’ve found several "fake" meats that I whole-heartedly endorse on their own as lower-fat, lower-cholesterol, lower-calorie protein options, and some are good enough that my meat-loving husband doesn’t mind their presence.
My burger-of-choice is Morningstar Farms Grillers Prime, because (don’t judge!) they remind me of fast-food burgers, but I also like the Spicy Black Bean and Tomato & Basil Pizza Burgers. I’m not a huge fan of Boca anything — mainly because I don’t like the taste, and they’re owned by Philip Morris/Altria. I also like their fake bacon, as does my carnivorous husband, because it gets crispy. I use Morningstar’s Recipe Crumbles in tacos, lasagne, and other pastas, and both my husband and I prefer it because it lightens up heavy dishes.
The other brand I’m a fan of is Quorn, which is a "fake" chicken made of mycoprotein. Harder to find and more expensive, I think it’s the best chicken replacement with the most realistic savory flavor. I use their cutlets in rice dishes, and their Chik’n Tenders in fettuccini alfredo. Finally, I like Gardenburger’s BBQ Riblets, which is odd, since I never liked real ribs, but my sister-in-law and I rely on these during summer family barbeques, and they’re a nice change from veggie/soy burgers.
Enough about what I like — what do you guys think about "fake" meat? Is it a part of your meat-free or less-meat diet? Why or why not? What are your favorites, and why? I didn’t even touch on soy dogs or "soy"sage, because I don’t like them, but I know many people swear by them. Your thoughts on the fake meat debate?
October 11th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Thanks for this, Kelli.
I wrote the other day about how big a fan of tempeh I am. I also like getting dried textured vegetable protein (TVP) in bulk from my local natural foods store, and using it for tacos and pasta dishes. Along with tofu and some occasional homemade seitan, those are the faux meats I try to stick with. The packaged and processed veggie "meats" are fun to have on occasion, but they’re fairly unnecessary once you get settled into a whole foods, plant-based groove.
Since I’m a vegan, I have to give a shout outs to soy and almond milks, as well as to Ener-G Egg Replacer, which make it more than possible to eat well without dairy and eggs.
October 11th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Despite all the valid points you bring up, I too, eat fake meat. I love Morningstar facon. I like Quorn roasts, too, but both of these products contain egg. And I looove chocolate almond milk, that stuff is smoooth.
There’s this fake meat company based in St. Louis that’s getting a lot of press called Match (formerly called AuraPro). A lot of the hip restaurants in town are offering it. http://www.auraprofoods.com/
October 11th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Love the black bean burgers - never got to try the pizza ones, but they sound awesome. I did not dig AuraPro the two times I tried it. And, as far as fake hot dogs go - ewww. I tried them once and was totally grossed out - then again, I think hot dogs are the vilest thing on the planet.
Morningstar Buffalo Wings are tasty as well. The broccoli cheddar bites, not so much.
But thanks for reminding me how good these things are, I cannot have any of these things because they all contain wheat! (I kid, I kid)
October 11th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Oh, I forgot about the bulk TVP–it’s cheap and I use it in chili in the winter.
I’ve got to try Match more…I had the chicken version in lasagne at Schlafly’s and it was just okay. I might try making burgers with the ground "beef".
October 11th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
here in NYC there are several restaurants that feature “fake” meat dishes, the one i’ve tried is vegetarian palate on flatbush avenue in park slope, brooklyn. whatever they use has a texture and flavor so similar to meat that i’m not sure a carnivore would know the difference. the mango “chicken” is particularly fantastic.
there is also a vegan junk food place in williamsburg, brooklyn (foodswings) that makes all the fast food favorites in vegan form — nuggets, wings, shakes, etc. yes, it contains no meat or dairy, but don’t even try to imagine that this food is GOOD for you!
October 17th, 2007 at 12:08 am
I think Morningstar uses GMO corn and wheat. I craved their tofu corn dogs when pregnant, now I think they are disgusting. You can make a great fake chickent noodle soup with TVP and nutritional yeast. We are lucky to have a local tofu shop that makes great soy sausage!
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I love “fake” sausage breakfast patties. Several brands are good, but Morningstar is the one I usually buy. Add an egg, a slice of cheddar and sandwich them all between a biscuit and it’s tastier than McDonald’s! Does anyone recommend a good fake cheese? I’d like to go more vegan but I just can’t loose my gorganzola/brie/gouda etc.