Cruelty-Free: Mock Meats

If you’re giving up meat, why not give it up altogether? Why go for the fake chicken, beef, or sausage? I admit that before my husband decided to go vegetarian, I didn’t make much use of the mock-meats available. I’ve always been so into vegetables and fruits that I didn’t feel the need. But for others, like my husband Seth, the decision to go meat-free was all about not wanting to participate in the cruelty to animals — not that he didn’t like the way a filet mignon tastes. So, for some, using the mock meats can make the choice to go cruelty-free an easier one. My husband made a terrific stir-fry a couple of weeks ago using green beans, asparagus, roasted red and green peppers, and onions… and mock chicken. He’s recently discovered Trader Joe’s “Chicken-less Strips” (also, their “Beef-less” strips). It’s wonderful to see him so enthusiastic about cooking. A few days after the stir-fry success, he used Trader Joe’s “Sausage-less” sausage by adding it to whole-wheat pasta, which he then mixed with a light creamy sauce made with soy milk. Added bonus: a whole “sausage” has only 140 calories and 7 grams of fat.  Check out Seth’s new “10-Minute Vegan” clip on You Tube.

By exploring these mock meats, I’ve discovered that I too enjoy these ingredients from time to time. Here are some of the best options I’ve found:

Chicken

• Gardein: This is the best chicken substitute I’ve ever tasted, a blend of soy, wheat, vegetables and grains. I’ve had it in strips, and I’ve had it served at a banquet, cutlet-style with a simple sauce. It’s good enough so you don’t need to drown it in something to make it tasty and edible! There’s a small café near where I’m working this summer that makes a wonderful sandwich: Gardein chicken and roasted peppers with non-dairy mozzarella on foccacia bread (I have them substitute the cheese with sautéed mushrooms). It’s so convincing, you might think for a moment you’re eating a regular chicken sandwich!
• Chipotle: Many Chipotle locations are now offering a mock chicken. Check it out the next time you feel like having a burrito. If your local Chipotle hasn’t caught on yet, ask them to start offering the mock-chicken “garden blend” option.
• Morningstar Farms: Sesame Chik’n; Sweet and Sour Chik’n. These frozen options are good to keep in your kitchen, especially for days when time is tight and you need something quick.

Beef

• Trader Joe’s Beef-Less Strips: Easy to warm up and add to stir-frys and pasta dishes.

Pork

• Smart Bacon by Lightlife: Fake bacon that works well for a vegan BLT, or alongside some pancakes or waffles (so easy to make non-dairy!), or cut into pieces as part of an awesome spinach salad.
• Morningstar Farms: Their veggie bacon uses egg whites, so vegans will want to use another brand. However, Morningstar has made great strides to reduce the eggs they use overall, and the site specifies what is vegan (no animal ingredients at all) versus vegetarian. Try the BBQ Riblets.

Special note about “sausage”:
As an Italian-American, many of the foods grew up with had sausage in them. So finding the best sausage alternative has been a priority – for my own satisfaction, but also for the benefit of my Italian relatives. Trader Joe’s “sausage-less” is great for everyday cooking, but I think the sausages made by Field Roast are simply the best. The “sausages” come in Apple Sage, Italian, and Mexican Chipotle. My faves: Italian sausage sliced up with roasted green peppers and onions on a multi-grain roll — a nice vegan version of an old Italian family classic. Also delicioso, chunky slices of the Italian Field Roast sausages with green peppers and onions and sliced potatoes, all baked together in the oven. A favorite, quick dinner!

Shrimp
I haven’t tried the mock-shrimp yet, though I’ve seen it in many restaurants, especially Asian restaurants that cater to a vegetarian crowd. This could be a terrific alternative for those of you who are allergic to shellfish or are getting particularly concerned about all the pollutants in the water where the shrimp are coming from. Whatever your motivation for giving mock-shrimp a try, it will be a victory for the cruelty-free team! If you try it, let me know what you think!

What about substitutes other than mock meats?
Check back tomorrow for the lowdown on tofu, tempeh, and seitan.