Cooking & Baking
Related: About this forumWe are trying to eat less meat.
Today I made chili using crumbled frozen spicy black bean burgers instead of hamburger. I suppose true meat lovers wouldnt consider it chili but more of a vegetable stew. But it was pretty tasty. A bowl of it with a small square of corn bread was pretty filling. (of course I made mine un-vegan by putting a blop of light sour cream on top)
I used chopped onion, garlic, celery, red and green peppers, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of tomato sauce, a can of corn, a can of chili ready beans in mild sauce a TB of tomato paste, and the crumbled black bean burgers which I thawed out first
.simmered it till everything was soft. Added more tomato sauce at one point because I wanted it saucier.Tasted it and added a teaspoon of brown sugar to cut the acidity. All my tomato products were no salt added.
leftieNanner
(15,154 posts)I often make risotto for meatless meals. Mushroom or asparagus.
Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)Do you use portobello mushrooms?
leftieNanner
(15,154 posts)Or crimini.
sprinkleeninow
(20,255 posts)I'm also attempting to eat less meat products.
Took a screenshot of your 'recipe'❣
Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)Dont expect real chili, though. Its more like a vegetable stew.
markie
(22,758 posts)as a vegetarian, someone last week asked me how I got my protein, implying that I couldn't get enough... as it was, my bet is that I was much healthier than all the meateaters sitting at the table with us
Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)My husband and two of our sons. My sons are actually more open to trying new things and different cuisines (Middle Eastern, Indian). than my husband.
We already have given up red meat except for a very few occasions such as 4th of July cookout and/or if someone wants a special dish for his birthday.
onecaliberal
(32,898 posts)Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)onecaliberal
(32,898 posts)Ohiya
(2,240 posts)Vegan Comfort Cooking by Melanie McDonald, and
But I Could Never Go Vegan by Kristi Turner
I have quite a few cookbooks, but these are the two that I go to the most.
onecaliberal
(32,898 posts)Ohiya
(2,240 posts)Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)for the cookbook recommendations!
Ohiya
(2,240 posts)jmbar2
(4,906 posts)I'm finding that middle eastern food is very satisfying. Doesn't try to pretend to be meat.
My favorite dishes are falafel and this recipe for lentils, rice and onions (mujadara). LOTS of onions...
Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)Bookmarking for this evening.
sinkingfeeling
(51,474 posts)Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)But by all means you could add more if you like!
Trailrider1951
(3,414 posts)My children and their whole families are vegetarian/vegan like my ex-husband, so I've been cooking veg since the 1970's. My favorite meat substitute is TVP, textured vegetable (soy) protein, like Bob's:
https://cloudinary.images-iherb.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto:eco/images/brm/brm03542/v/4.jpg
It has a sponge-like consistency that absorbs the flavor of the dish, and a texture that really mimics ground beef. I use it in chili, tacos, pasta sauce, shepherd's pie and any other recipe that calls for ground meat. For use in chili and sauces, I make the recipes a bit on the "soupy" side and add the dry TVP to the dish for the last 30 minutes, as the dry TVP has a thickening effect. For tacos and shepherd's pie, I hydrate the TVP in hot veg broth first, and then use it in the recipe.
Diamond_Dog
(32,068 posts)Does it add any flavor?
Trailrider1951
(3,414 posts)I guess it's sort of like dried tofu in that respect.