Though I’m not classified as a vegetarian, I usually only eat meat once a day (at dinner). I buy and eat a lot of vegetarian products because there are quite a few of them that are great fake-outs for the real thing.
(I also like firm tofu cubed up and thrown into a stir-fry, but not for the flavor: it’s the texture I dig.)
Vegetarian foods can be freaky. Vegetarian deli products, for instance, are and always will be nasty. Vegetarian bacon is abysmal unless you fancy “Bacos”, which I sincerely and emphatically don’t. We will not speak of tempeh at all; if there’s a way to prepare it that isn’t nasty, I don’t know it.
But I have found some convincing and tasty things. Here, then, a sometime meateater’s short list of vegetarian foods she digs:
- Gardenburger Riblets
Sweet, smoky, and with a fairly convincing texture, these are great stuffed in a whole wheat bun and topped with sour pickles or sweet coleslaw (depending on what you like on your barbeque). Alternately: just eat them. Every time I make these at work, someone wanders into the breakroom and elicits a sigh of “what is that it smells great I hate you Steph for having that when all I have is tuna casserole”. They remind me of what a McRib would taste like if it weren’t spawned by the pigs of Satan.
Morningstar Farms Corn Dogs
I strongly suspect if I served these to Mike he wouldn’t notice they aren’t really real corn dogs. Most “real” corn dogs are made with crummy meat anyway. At least this one is only 150 calories and contains 3 grams of fiber.
Morningstar Farms Tomato & Basil Pizza Burgers
Admittedly, I rarely eat these as a burger. Instead, I cook them, chop them up, and sprinkle them on half a wheat pita with tomato sauce on it. Oh yum.
Boca Spicy Chik’n Patties
As excited as I was about the “Boca in a Bun”, I have to admit I am still making my own individual chicken sandwiches. This on a wheat bun with mustard and pickle is just enough like a Chik-Fil-A sandwich to make me very happy. Additional extra credit note: I usually pop these into the toaster at work to crisp ‘em up.
I’m still on the fence about the Morningstar Farm Veggie Cakes. The Ginger-Soy ones are tasty. But the portions are tiny, it’s not brown rice, and at $4 for four I can get more bang for my buck by whipping up some rice and tossing in veggies.
Any vegetarian foods you haven’t been afraid to try?
3 responses so far ↓
I am so with you on tempeh. That is a foul substance that doesn’t even deserve to be called food.
I’m pretty fond of Boca Burgers in all varieties. Had one for lunch today, as a mater of fact. Those faux riblets sound good. I think I’ll pick up a box.
I like the cheese and broccoli “chicken nuggets”, and I do like the vegetarian “ground beef” to use in chili. Texture’s a little bizarre, but not offputting.
I’m not afraid of carrots, peas or corn. Asparagus used to scare me, but now it amuses me greatly.
Oh. You didn’t mean vegetables.
I like a couple of Chinese restaurants up here that are vegan/vegetarian. Both are awesome; one (Bamboo Garden) presents “fake meat” on the menus. Teapot, otoh, is all veggies and a great selection of tea.
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