Beefless Ribs

Vegetarian McRibs?

     I was curious about the McRib Sandwich when it came out the first time around YEARS AGO. However, I never tried because it would disappear before I could get around to it. So, last year when I noticed that it was back, I decided I would try it. Why?? Curiosity? Anyway, I thought the taste was okay (the kindest thing I can think of), even though the texture was obviously not meaty. It was processed and nowhere near meat. I felt sick afterwards, maybe not from the meat, but maybe the grease? Some vegetarian products try to imitate meat, but some meat products try to imitate meat too, maybe even more so!
     Then, I saw MorningStar's Hickory BBQ Riblets. Okay, anyone who likes eating ribs is NOT going to mistake these riblets for the real thing. The sauce is not bad and, in the end, this product does have protein.

Vegetarian riblet in a hickory barbeque sauce

     Another plus is that it's easy to prepare. Just stick it the microwave for longer than you would expect, let it rest. Then, stick it between whole wheat buns with lettuce and tomato maybe. There's plenty of sauce.
     If I ever open a vegetarian fast food place, I'd probably have this on the menu with organic french fries. Or maybe I should convince existing food chains to carry it, as long as they are trying to imitate meat, why not offer a vegetarian alternative?

Silk Creamer

Silk Creamer (Original)

         I'm not a vegan, but I have vegan tendencies. Call me a semi-vegan, if you will. I mean, I do use honey in my tea and my shoes are made from leather, so I'll never be completely a vegan, but I am trying to cut down on my dairy consumption, which is a lot. I don't really drink milk unless I'm having a chocolate cake or if I'm having cereal. I've cut down on my chocolate cake consumption and since the cereal that I enjoy has little protein, I've stopped having cereal. So, the only real time I drink milk nowadays is when I'm having tea or coffee. Enter Silk Creamer.
     Sure, there are other creamers, such as Trader Joe's Soy Creamer, etc. In any case, all these creamers are creamy enough to put into tea or coffee, if you're into that stuff. I find that putting soy milk, hemp milk or rice milk into tea or coffee just doesn't taste that good. Silk Creamer is really creamy and sweet enough without going overboard.
     And if Silk Creamer is good in tea or coffee, why not cocktails?



Kahlua and Grey Goose Vodka

     
     I bought a bottle of Kahlua two Christamases ago and didn't touch it at all. I enjoy a drink now and then, but I am not naturally drawn to liquor. It's been a long time since I've had a White Russian or other Kahlua drinks like a Dirty Mother, so I bought some vodka just for the hell of it. Of course, I could just have Kahlua and Silk, and also, there must be better things to do with Grey Goose, but whatever.

White Russian (or A Russian in Silk)

Here's my White Russian, or as I call it, A Russian in Silk:
1 oz of Kahlua or coffee liqueur
1 oz of vodka
2 oz of Silk Creamer (or a similar creamer like Trader Joe's Soy Creamer)

In any case, if you're cutting down on dairy products and you still like a mixed drink now and then, why not?

Silk Soy Creamer is not organic, but Trader Joe's is and Organic Valley has an organic version too.

Gardein Trios



Gardein's Trio Quick Meals


     When you're feeling really lazy and you want something quick, it's nice to know you have products out there that you can heat up and eat very quickly. I know I've said that before, but you get into these lazy moods or when you haven't planned your meals properly, you suddenly have an excuse to try something new.
     Well, I was at Whole Foods and I noticed the new Trio line from Gardein. I believe what they mean by Trio is that you have a protein, a sauce and rice. There are several flavors. I noticed the burgundy and a Thai version I have in the refrigerator that's waiting for me for some day in the future when I'm feeling really lazy.

Gardein's Burgundy Trio

     Here's what it looks like after you microwave it. You're instructed to heat up the rice separately from the 'meat' and the sauce, but who's got time for that? I emptied all the pouches into the bowl at once and heated them up at the same time. Alternatively, you can put the pouches and boil them. I'd be interested to hear from any of you who have tried these and decided to boil them. I'd be interested to know if it was worth it.
     In any case, I thought it was good. Mind you, I make a real good version from scratch and maybe you can come over and try some (with mashed potatoes and not rice, even though I like rice a lot), but when you're not in the kitchen for hours, this will do. Sorry, Amy's, you now have some competition in the quick lunch category. As for Amy's, I'll eat the vegetarian lasagna for lunch or the cheese enchilada meal, but now, I'll start eating Gardein's burgundy trio and their Thai version, most likely in rotation. Amy's lasagna cost about $3.99 and this one was less than that. And best of all, it had 25 grams of protein. Take that, Amy's (which has only 17 grams)!

Love Letters and Coupons

Various replies from various companies

When I like a product, I like to let the company know. For example, when I'm feeling really lazy and I don't cook, I like prepared meals. For lunch, I'll eat Amy's vegetarian lasagna or the cheese enchilada meal. And I've been eating Amy's for years. I've written to them in the past, but it's been awhile so I wrote them and told them how I still appreciate them. Well, they sent me some coupons.
     The same thing happened when I contacted Gardein (about their chicken tenders) and WestSoy about their wheat gluten/seitan (which is owned by Hain). They sent coupons for more of their products. Isn't that nice of them?
     It's not that I'm doing it just for coupons. I mean, if all I wanted were coupons, I'd just go to Safeway, where if I buy Amy's or some vegetarian product, the machine spits out coupons for more of the product. I write to them because their products are really good and why shouldn't I let them know how I really feel?
     In any case, if you like a company, maybe you should write them a letter or an e-mail. They'll most likely send you coupons too.

Gardein Vs. MorningStar



MorningStar Chik'n Nuggets

 Making your own meals all the time can be time consuming, although it's worth it. You know what's going into your body and you make the food suited to your unique tastes. There are times when you're feeling lazy and you want something easy and snob-free. Why not vegetarian chicken nuggets?

Maybe I was in seventh grade or so when they came out with Chicken McNuggets. I knew it was before Madonna's Who's That Girl movie was released because I remember her character came out of prison and was instantly taken with them. They were already popular and Madonna probably didn't increase sales or anything, but it somehow stuck in my head all these years, just like when Madonna was eating Cheetos in Desperately Seeking Susan. I remember seeing some Morgan Spurlock documentary that said that McDonald's was looking for a way to sell products that didn't waste sick and old chickens. I guess that's what they are, mashed up sick and old chicken flesh, treated,  battered and fried, served with sauce. I say that in the most loving way because I was known to order them more than a few times. So, when I have a yen for chicken nuggets, MorningStar is there for me. Although I have to provide the sauce myself. I was in nugget bliss until I discovered a new product. Gardein's Crispy Tenders.



Gardein's Crispy Tenders

 While MorningStar's brand has its charms, I do like Gardein's Crispy Tenders just a little more. They are confident that you will recognize what they are because the name doesn't suggest that they might be chicken-like, but the picture on the package gives it away. Gardein is based in Richmond, BC, which is pretty close to Seattle.

You can buy Gardein at some Safeways and at all Whole Foods. However, you can find MorningStar at most stores, such as the Red Apple, Safeway, Whole Foods, PCC, etc.

As for sauces, you can use Thai sweet chili sauce. I also mix ranch dressing with a little dijon mustard.

Lazy Meal: Not Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce, a Variation



Chicken Katsu with Brown Rice

 Okay, I know I've blogged about Morning Star's Chik Patties. With a hectic day behind me, I came home wanting something quick. So, I made chicken katsu. Well, sort of. It's two breaded vegetarian chicken patties with brown rice. The last time I just ate them with mustard. This time, I cut them up into katsu-sized pieces and added store bought tonkatsu sauce. 20 grams of protein.

Another Lazy Meal

I woke up this Tuesday morning and I used the bathroom and the first thing I did was weigh myself in the morning. This is the usual morning ritual as I try to weigh myself in a set manner. Today, I weighed 187. I don't usually count it as official until the end of the week. If I weighed 187 on Saturday morning, then it becomes official.

I've been feeling really lazy lately, which is good, because I have easy vegetarian options. I really like Morning Star's Chik Patties. I bought these at Red Apple, but you can find them anywhere: Safeway, Whole Foods, etc.

There are two kinds of real chicken patties out there. The kind that is not breaded and has grill marks and the kind that is circular and breaded. This vegetarian version is the breaded kind, obviously from the box's picture. Normally, I would put it between two pieces of whole wheat bread and add a slice of swiss cheese with mayonaisse or mustard (23 grams of protein). This morning, I felt like having two patties with some leftover brown rice with a cup of black tea (Organic Keemun from Cost Plus) and half a cup of milk (24 grams of protein total).

I know there are some vegetarians out there who don't like anything shaped like an animal product, but I'm not one of them. This brand actually has the mouth feel of an actual breaded chicken patty and you could probably fool any omnivore with it. If it makes you feel impish, go ahead and try to fool some omnivores!