Anybody hear of the Herbivorous Butcher?

[rurallib]

Small shop in Minneapolis that makes vegan "meat"?
We were visiting our kids that live up there and we picked up some stuff to bring home.

If you are vegan or vegetarian or just want to cut out a little meat, take a look at it.
We got some bacon and capicola and italian sausages. All of it delicious.

Here is their website if you are curious: http://www.theherbivorousbutcher.com/

[thereismore]

1. Can you tell me why so many vegan foods are trying to look like meat products?

It is funny to my carnivorous side and it is offending my vegan side.

[silverweb]

2. It helps people make the transition.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]This is especially true for those who need to get away from animal products because of "doctor's orders" and not because they decided to make the change for ethical/environmental reasons.

If they can substitute something that looks and tastes enough like what they're used to, they're more likely to stick with the diet - and eventually transition more fully to a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle on their own.

I'd also add that when people aren't cooking just for themselves, it simplifies the menu to have a a meat-like offering on the plate for everyone.

I know a couple doing this right now. He needs to go veg for his health and she likes her meat, but she's been willing to try meat substitutes for both of them. Now she's actually experimenting with more "exotic" (to them) vegan recipes that don't require a meat substitute. Progress!

It's the right direction to be moving in, so I'm all for whatever works!

[silverweb]

3. Passing this on to friends!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I've got a few who say they want to go veg, but are having a hard time facing the prospect of a meatless menu.

Thanks!

[rurallib]

4. My SIL says the Korean ribs are to die for

for me one of the things I really miss is the mouth feel of meat. These guys really capture it.

[silverweb]

9. Sounds wonderful!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Looking at their on-line shop, it will be a while before I get to try anything, since they only sell "samplers" on line at this point. Wishing them much luck!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I've heard of them, but

I can't figure out why there is this attempt to make non-meat food look and taste like meat if meat is such a bad thing. Every fake meat thing I've ever tried has been weird - dry, dense and crumbly and not at all meat-like; more like mulch or lichens.

[rurallib]

6. Just because it tastes like meat doesn't mean it has the bad properties of meat

having something that resembles meat and allows a meal like a normal meal helps us stay on a vegan diet. Every body needs variety.

The reason I mentioned this place is because their products have great taste and mouth feel that we don't get in other "fake" meats. There is another company called Field Roast that also puts out a very tasty product. I think Whole Foods carries their products in Minneapolis.

If that isn't enough, at the Herbivorous Butcher their products are made fresh daily. Not sure if they claim to be fully organic. That is hard to achieve. But the ingredients are certainly better than the animals that are raised in all sorts of CAFOs that are within a stone's throw of my house. These animals are pumped with all sorts of growth hormones and antibiotics, live short horrid lives then slaughtered as if they are nothing but, well, a piece of meat.

Not trying to be preachy and sorry that I did. Just wanted to let folks in Minnesota that if they choose not to eat meat, that here is a way to put some variety in their diet while maintaining their standards.

If you have an open mind try some. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I didn't think you were being preachy at all, and appreciate your info.

I've just never quite understood fake meat. If I were to go vegetarian I'd just eat vegetables in their vegetable form. As it is I don't eat much meat at all, and could probably do just fine without it, but I could never be vegan because I like cheese too much.

[rurallib]

8. well - they have "cheeses" also

My kids thought they were quite good. We weren't quite as impressed, but we got a havarti. I don't like soft type cheeses. The kids had a pepper jack and said they could tell no difference.

The big reason I even posted is because it is such a unique place. All product made there from local produce. Sure wish we had something like this near us (east Iowa). We have some shops that carry some pretty bad fake meats and two places that sell Field Roast products. We have a few restaurants that have vegan meals, but they are mostly tasteless.

Thanks for listening.

[silverweb]

11. Fieldroast is quite good.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Just one disappointment so far, their Celebration Loaf, which was much too salty for my taste. Their apple-maple sausages are my favorite, though.

[silverweb]

10. There are some fabulous vegan cheeses out there!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Check out Miyoko's Creamery, for one - their Aged English Sharp is equivalent to the best cheddar and I haven't tried one variety that wasn't terrific. Daiya is very good, too, especially if melted. Fieldroast's chao slices are fabulous and easily available at my local grocery.

There are so very many substitutes for dairy products now that it's easy to go almost totally vegan. I'm not quite there because I'm hooked on Greek yogurt. The non-dairy versions are ridiculously expensive and I haven't tried making my own yet, but it will happen!