T.V.P. Update

Boy, it sure has been awhile since I have written anything. Trying to dust the cobwebs off and get going again…..

I bought some T.V.P. at a local health food store for about $2.69 a pound. The price is very decent if you compare it with buying meat for the same price per pound. Honestly, it looks like dry dog food. You can buy it in smaller bacon bit sizes or pellet size. I chose the pellet size thinking it could be more versatile in its use as I could always grind it down when I need it to for certain recipes. My intentions were to use it in spaghetti and Mexican style entrees. It is dried protein so you have to soak it first in water and then cook it accordingly with spices, etc.

Like with many vegetarian and vegan alternatives to meat, I am just not impressed. Even though the T.V.P. takes and holds flavors well, there is still an underlying taste of something….cardboard? I dunno. I just do not like it based solely on the underlying flavor that does not go away no matter how many different ways I cook the dang stuff.

There is a mainstream vegetarian line of products sold in the frozen section at all the big box stores that produces a fairly decent “ground beef” style product that is far more tasty and enjoyable to the palate. It is much more expensive, but makes a nice alternative and addition to meatless entrees. There is an underlying aftertaste but is not so strong or off putting. I do need to research, however, if the name brand product has eggs as an ingredient. I have avoided eating eggs since September and I will go into why in another post. Soon, I promise!