Your favorite vegetarian/vegan turkey alternative

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Replies

  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Oh dear, the world of processed food, sure rule in the US. I'd rather eat cardboard, sorry.

    youve never prepared your own loaf? It's divine the flavors you can create. I would give it a try if were you.

    One recipe I pulled:
    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tofu-turkey-i/
  • shapefitter
    shapefitter Posts: 900 Member
    Oh dear, the world of processed food, sure rule in the US. I'd rather eat cardboard, sorry.

    youve never prepared your own loaf? It's divine the flavors you can create. I would give it a try if were you.

    One recipe I pulled:
    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tofu-turkey-i/

    Thanks, but there's no such thing as turkey flavoured tofu where I live. Only quorn mince and tofu pieces. I only eat quorn mince in emergencies, for when I am to ill to cook from fresh. Also, I eat turkey once a year, so as not to offend anyone in family. Sigh
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I don't eat a lot of processed crap and cook most of my food from scratch. I remember this one being good and also nice for leftovers. (Don't remember where I got it.)

    Vegan Meatloaf (also gluten-free)

    1/2 cup lentils
    1/4 cup nuts (your preference)
    1.5 Tbs of ground flax mixed with 1/4 cup warm water
    1.5 cloves of garlic, minced
    1/2 cup of diced onion
    1/2 cup diced celery
    1/2 cup grated carrot
    1/4 cup grated apple
    1/4 cup raisins (or cranberries, whatever.)
    1/4 cup of oat flour or finely ground oats
    1/2 cup of crumbs (if GF, use crushed GF crackers or GF bread)
    1/4 tsp thyme
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/4 tsp pepper
    (add a bit of sambal oelek to taste if you'd like it with a touch of heat)


    For the glaze, I don't have the amounts written down, but it's a blend of tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or light molasses (or honey if you aren't strict vegan), a little more sambal oelek if you're using it, and ketchup (ketchup was optional - I didn't use it).

    1.) Rinse and drain lentils. Simmer in 3 cups of vegetable broth for 20 mins., or until water is absorbed and lentils are "doughy." Mash lentils slightly.
    2.) Toast nuts for 8-10 minutes @ 325 degrees, chop finely and set aside. Increase oven temp. to 350.
    3.) Mix the flax and water if you haven't already and set aside.
    4.) Heat a couple of tsp. of olive oil and saute onion 5 minutes, then add celery, carrot, apple, raisins and saute 5 more mins. (Add garlic with the onions or wait until the end to throw it in there. I usually wait, because too much sauteing can turn garlic bitter.) Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
    5.) Combine ALL ingredients (except the glaze stuff) and press the mixture into a greased and parchment-lined loaf pan. (Parchment makes it super simple to pull out of the pan.)
    6.) Whisk the glaze together and spread it on top (not too thick.) You can save some for dipping later if you want.
    7.) Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes. (It slices best when cooled in the fridge.)
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Oh dear, the world of processed food, sure rule in the US. I'd rather eat cardboard, sorry.

    youve never prepared your own loaf? It's divine the flavors you can create. I would give it a try if were you.

    One recipe I pulled:
    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tofu-turkey-i/

    Thanks, but there's no such thing as turkey flavoured tofu where I live. Only quorn mince and tofu pieces. I only eat quorn mince in emergencies, for when I am to ill to cook from fresh. Also, I eat turkey once a year, so as not to offend anyone in family. Sigh

    Well if you ever feel bold try making your own. It's amazing the versatility of tofu.
  • mteague277
    mteague277 Posts: 145 Member
    The one from Trader Joe's (In the frozen section) is very tasty and vegan. There is a small vegan chain of restaurants where I live (southern california) that makes a wellington that I am so excited to try!
    As for my thanksgiving, I will be making a Shepard's pie using lentils, a green bean casserole, southern style greens, mashed potatoes (all vegan)... There are awesome ideas on pinterest and instagram!
  • spud_chick
    spud_chick Posts: 2,640 Member
    The one from Trader Joe's (In the frozen section) is very tasty and vegan. There is a small vegan chain of restaurants where I live (southern california) that makes a wellington that I am so excited to try!
    As for my thanksgiving, I will be making a Shepard's pie using lentils, a green bean casserole, southern style greens, mashed potatoes (all vegan)... There are awesome ideas on pinterest and instagram!

    I've done lentil shephard's pie before, it's a delight and a crowd pleaser! I love lentils. I'll swing by Trader Joe's this week and see what they've got in the freezer case, thanks :)

    To be clear to the thread in general, I was veg for a couple of decades and learned to cook as one--so I know that you don't have to have fake meat to have a lovely meal. I'm a decent cook and not new to these ideas. But I do in fact like fake meat sometimes, and even if it's not trying to be turkey (like the cashew loaf I really want to try) I like the idea of making a special, carveable, roasty main dish for Thanksgiving. We still don't know the official T-day plan with my husband's family, but I like to have a real alternative with quality protein to take with me when I go, and his nieces are all gradually eschewing meat, so having an alternative roast would take care of me and them as well.

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