Meat Replacements,plant based foods | HealthyLife

Meat Replacements – Plant based foods

Having hard time while trying to be a Vegan or Vegetarian or following meatless Monday and cannot find a replacement for meat? Below are some plant based foods that can be good substitute for meat in your dishes. There are now widely available alternatives to just about every type of meat, including chicken-, pork-, fish-, and beef-style products. Plant-based meat substitutes have come a long way in both taste and texture since the days of the first veggie burger, thanks to the growing popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets.

Cauliflower

How is that tasty Goby manchurian with Chinese sauce and soy sauce? It is made of cauliflower. When you season cauliflower and cook it up right, cauliflower can be the star of any dish and can satisfy any meat eaters who wants to replace meat with good veggie. Cauliflower is everywhere these days. In the last few years, it is gone from not-so-loved crucifer to an all-star in fancy restaurants and home kitchens alike.

Nuts

Nuts are not veggies but many vegan food use nut cheese as a replacement for diary cream and meat. Nuts can be incredibly “meaty” and can make a hearty and rich “meat” loaf for dinner. Nuts are often added to vegan burgers for added “meatiness.”

Mushroom

When you want that meaty taste, that umami, mushrooms are the way to go. Their flavor is rich, earthy, and meaty, especially cremini or Portobello mushrooms. They are healthy and filling and can replace meat in any recipe.

Egg plant

When anyone goes veg, eggplant is probably the first vegetable that comes to mind, but you can do so much more with it than just make parmigiana. Eggplant has a rich, meaty taste and it’s very versatile. If you think you’re not a fan of eggplant, try it in these Eggplant Burgers and you will change your mind.

Lentils

Lentils have always been a stand-in for meat since the beginning of veganism. Lentils are hearty and can replace ground beef easily. Lentils come in a variety of colors such as green, red, brown, and black. They cook up quickly, are inexpensive, and a small amount goes a long way.

Potatoes

Who does not like potatoes? Potatoes are not just for side dishes. They can be the main ingredient in so many dishes. Whether you roast them, boil them, bake them, mash them, or fry them, potatoes are always a favorite. Make French fries at home and have with ketchup. If you want, add mix fries with Indian masala: Turmeric, red chilli powder, asafetida and salt. It will be yummy!

Beets

An earthy veggie and have color like meat is beat. Beets are nature’s candy. They are sweet, delicious, and perfect for salads, but they have another side to them. Beets are also earthy and work well in savory dishes especially when roasted as in this Sesame Roasted Beets

Indian Jack fruit

This fruit though tropical is available in Asian stores in Western countries as canned food. Various dishes made by the raw jackfruit -Indian spicy curry, pappd, chips etc. It can be a replacement for chickens. Try this next time as it can stand in for meat in savory dishes. Jackfruit has a very slight sweet taste.

Tofu

You may not think of tofu as vegetables, but they are plant-based and made from soybeans. TVP, or texturized vegetable protein, is also made from soy. The meat in any recipe can be replaced with one of these plant-based options. Tofu makes the perfect swap-out for chicken whether you want Crispy Tofu Nuggets, Cutlets in a Lemon-Olive Sauce, or chunks for Chinese food like Kung Pao Tofu or Indian cheese paneer. First used in China around 200 B.C., tofu has long been a staple of Asian cuisine. Tofu soaks up flavors and is best when marinated for at least 30 minutes or served with a flavorful sauce.

Tempen

Tempeh is a nutty-flavored soybean product made from cooked and fermented soybeans. One cup has about 19 grams of protein—in addition to fiber, calcium and vitamins. With a consistency that is much firmer than tofu, it can be used in a greater variety of dishes, including as a ground beef substitute, as a diced chicken substitute in chicken salad and stir-fries, and as a substitute in classic sandwiches, like pulled pork.

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