Tips on Substituting Meat

*First Posted 10/12/12

It is true that being vegetarian is hard.

It is hard specially when you are conditioned to the taste and texture of meat.

Now this condition is very common for us Filipinos since our country has a lot of festivities and celebration. Majority of the food served are meat based.

But what if there will be a substitute for meat? Still the same with the taste and texture of a real meat.

It will be a perfect chance for those who wanted to try giving up meat.

You can still enjoy the taste of meat without eating the real meat.

There are manufacturers of vegetarian meat substitutes here in Manila where you can buy them.

I made a list of Meat Substitutes that I recommend for vegetarian starters:

• TOFU – you can use tofu as replacement for chicken. By just deep frying it the way you do to chickens you can achieve a tofu that tastes almost like chicken.

Easy Tips if you want to Go Vegetarian

Some reason why going vegetarian becomes hard for most people is because we are conditioned to eating meat. It has been part of our tradition to eat meat during parties and occasions.

If you are serious on becoming vegetarian someday you have to aim removing that condition (the taste of meat) and make yourself conditioned to eating vegetables.

You don't do this overnight. It has to be easy and slow. It takes time because again we are conditioned to eating meat for so long.

As a start, make a timeline to gradually reduce your intake of meat and this will help you achieve your goal to make yourself pleased eating vegetables.

Photos at Quantum Cafe, A Vegetarian Friendly Restaurant

Quantum Cafe

FERON Bldg., 9590 Kamagong corner Bagtikan Street
Makati City

(02) 519 0757

Operating Hours: Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Mode of Payment: CASH

Best Sellers :

Veggie Meat Adobo Flakes(Vegan) served with rice and atchara. 220 Php

Quantum Burger (Vegan) pattie is made of banana heart. 150 Php

Tofu as Meat Replacement

Tofu: it's like Tokwa but it's softer. Tofu is great meat replacement because it is almost the same texture as meat when fried.

It was first used in China around 200 B.C.

It has long been a staple of Asian cuisine.

It soaks up flavors and is best when frozen for at least 30 minutes or served with a flavorful sauce.

The two types of tofu

•  fresh, water-packed tofu (always refrigerated) for when you want the tofu to hold its shape, such as when baking or grilling,


• silken tofu, which is packed in aseptic boxes and usually not refrigerated, for purring. Try firm or extra-firm tofu for baking, grilling, sauteing, and frying and soft or silken tofu for creamy sauces, desserts, and dressings. Silken tofu is used for making a heavenly chocolate cream pie but will fall apart if you try to make it into shish kebab.


•  When baking tofu, cook it in a marinade so it will soak up more flavor. To give tofu a meatier texture, try freezing it for two to 24 hours and then defrosting it.

 

Press the water out of the tofu prior to preparing it. Wrap the tofu in a towel and set something heavy on top of it for at least 20 minutes, and it will be ready for marinades, sauces, freezing, and cooking.

It is also a good substitute for baking powder.

Nippon Tofu is a great substitute for egg

Benefits of Tofu:

It's a good source of protein since it belongs to soy products

Galing , Gulay , Kalusugan

ACLE ( 25 August 2010 ) @ Bulwagang Tandang Sora CSWCD

UP Community Development Circle presents
Galing , Gulay, Kalusugan: Bridging activities towards empowerment
Speaker : Mrs. Dolly Aspiras ( Green Wok Deli )

Objective: To introduce new ideas not discussed in classroom like not eating meat.
Development: Alternative lifestyle can possibly help the community.
Choice: There are certain facts of reality like violence and slaughter, We are given the choice to eat meat or not.

4 aspects of vegetarianism :

Agricultural
80% of our land goes to animal farm, why not give it to human so we can plant crops
Economical
the consumption of meat is expensive compared to the consumption of plant based food
Practical
A student asked her " Di po ba mahal ang vegetarian food ? " Dolly Aspiras answered " Mas mahal ang kabaong ( laughs )
Spiritual
We are what we eat , that's what everybody says. Becoming vegetarian is non violence, it is compassion.
It makes us realize that in our own way we can help others.

" food should be delicious and nutritious " Dolly added.

There's a lot of alternatives:
Dinuguan -made from black beans
Tofu, Tokwa, Soya
Pansit Malabon totally vegetarian
Pizza , vegetarian
Sisig ( whole pighead )
" Nasa kultura na ng tao ang pagkain , so we cook similar food. "
For us who wants to take care of our body we should eat vegetarian food.

Fore more information visit:
Green Wok Deli & Cafe
#70 Kamuning Road, 1103 Quezon City
Philippines
Landline: 3827018
Mobile : 0920-923-2846
eMail : greenwokdeli@gmail.com

We are open Monday through Saturday, 11am to 8pm

Place your orders at least 24 hours before pickup.

Menu offerings also available as frozen or to-go items.

* Mrs. Dolly Aspiras don't eat Marty's vegetarian chicharon because it has garlic. She doesn't eat garlic.

Galing , Gulay , Kalusugan

ACLE ( 25 August 2010 ) @ Bulwagang Tandang Sora CSWCD

UP Community Development Circle presents
Galing , Gulay, Kalusugan: Bridging activities towards empowerment
Speaker : Mrs. Dolly Aspiras ( Green Wok Deli )

Objective: To introduce new ideas not discussed in classroom like not eating meat.
Development: Alternative lifestyle can possibly help the community.
Choice: There are certain facts of reality like violence and slaughter, We are given the choice to eat meat or not.

4 aspects of vegetarianism :

Agricultural
80% of our land goes to animal farm, why not give it to human so we can plant crops
Economical
the consumption of meat is expensive compared to the consumption of plant based food
Practical
A student asked her " Di po ba mahal ang vegetarian food ? " Dolly Aspiras answered " Mas mahal ang kabaong ( laughs )
Spiritual
We are what we eat , that's what everybody says. Becoming vegetarian is non violence, it is compassion.
It makes us realize that in our own way we can help others.

" food should be delicious and nutritious " Dolly added.

There's a lot of alternatives:
Dinuguan -made from black beans
Tofu, Tokwa, Soya
Pansit Malabon totally vegetarian
Pizza , vegetarian
Sisig ( whole pighead )
" Nasa kultura na ng tao ang pagkain , so we cook similar food. "
For us who wants to take care of our body we should eat vegetarian food.

Fore more information visit:
Green Wok Deli & Cafe
#70 Kamuning Road, 1103 Quezon City
Philippines
Landline: 3827018
Mobile : 0920-923-2846
eMail : greenwokdeli@gmail.com

We are open Monday through Saturday, 11am to 8pm

Place your orders at least 24 hours before pickup.

Menu offerings also available as frozen or to-go items.

* Mrs. Dolly Aspiras don't eat Marty's vegetarian chicharon because it has garlic. She doesn't eat garlic.