Delicious Recipes To Replace Meat
Being rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, thanks to vegetables and their derivatives we can obtain all the nutrients that our body needs to function properly
There are different reasons why people stop eating meat. Either because they are vegetarian or vegan, because the doctor told them not to eat so much red meat or because the prices of this food are getting higher and higher. The truth is that there are ways to enjoy food without consuming it. Learn about delicious recipes to replace meat in the following article.
How to replace meat with other foods
You can make all kinds of recipes that call for meat using foods that have a similar texture and, in some cases, a similar taste.
Vegetables
It can be lentils, beans, and chickpeas. They provide you with a good amount of protein that will not make you miss meat at all. They are actually excellent for cooking casseroles, stews, stews, stews, etc. In addition, you can prepare patés, hamburgers and croquettes. Also, be sure to try the hummus (chickpea paste) or the falafel (chickpea croquettes).
Cereals
The most common currently are:
- Rice.
- Wheat.
- Oatmeal.
- Rye.
- Corn.
- Barley.
- Son.
- Quinoa.
There are several ways to prepare them and take advantage of their large amount of nutrients. They provide you with carbohydrates, vitamins, mineral salts, proteins and healthy fats. It is preferable that they are whole grains than refined (white). Likewise, with them you can prepare risottos, pasta, paellas, breads, croquettes, hamburgers, etc.
Nuts
A handful of walnuts, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds or pistachios can be the dose of protein, vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Although they do not taste similar to meat, many consume them minced or mashed on top of soups, sauces or creams.
Soy, the quintessential meat substitute
Most vegetarians and vegans consume soy in different ways to replace meat since they have a similar color, texture, and taste. But beyond that, they do it because it can offer you various nutrients. Be careful when buying it, that it is not transgenic (genetically modified).
Soy is a very nutritious legume that provides more fat and protein than any other. As a consequence, it is a perfect substitute for meat and has been cultivated for thousands of years in various indigenous peoples. From soybeans you can get seitan, tofu, textured soybeans and tempeh.
Tofu
It is a derivative of soy that is used as if it were a kind of cheese, although it can substitute for meat as well. It has a smooth and creamy flavor, it is eaten diced, grated, battered, marinated, baked, roasted, smoked or as a pâté. Thus, a good way to enjoy it is to do it together with vegetables (pepper, onion, potatoes) on grilled skewers. Or also as meatballs.
Tempeh
This Indonesian food is made with fermented and cooked yellow soybeans. It has the appearance of certain pieces or preparations with meat. In addition, it is a cholesterol-free and highly digestive food. It can be eaten the same as tofu, that is, fried, sautéed, grilled, battered. Or in sandwiches, soups, canapes, etc. Finally, a delicious recipe to substitute meat using tempeh is combined with mushrooms and almonds.
Seitan
It is the best known vegetable meat, very popular among those who have stopped eating red or white meat. It has a high protein content, its flavor is similar to that of meat and it has a texture that allows it to be cooked just like any type of meat. It is wheat gluten and is used to batter, fry, cook, cut into slices to make a sandwich, etc. You can’t stop trying the seitan stew with potatoes or the seitan with sauce.
Textured soybeans
Once hydrated with water, it has a texture similar to minced meat. It is used to fill lasagna, make meatballs, hamburgers or Bolognese sauce. It can also be used to make dumplings and everything that has minced meat.
Recipes to substitute meat
Some of the recipes listed below are the ones named above:
Legume croquettes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of pureed lentils.
- Chickpeas or beans (whichever you prefer).
- 1 cup of cooked rice.
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons of flour.
- Garlic, parsley, onion and salt to taste.
preparation:
- To make the legume puree, first soak overnight and then boil until soft.
- Blend with a little liquid or mash with a food processor.
- In a frying pan, fry the garlic, onion and parsley with a little oil. Then add the puree and pour in the eggs and flour.
- Finally form the croquettes (make sure they are thick enough) and fry in oil or brown in the oven.
Soy pudding
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of cooked soybeans.
- 1 cup of chopped onion.
- 1 bell pepper, chopped.
- 2 cups of tomato puree.
- 1 can of corn.
- 4 tablespoons of oil.
- 1 cup of water.
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 cup of fresh cheese.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Elaboration:
- First, sauté the onion and the finely chopped pepper in the oil.
- Pour in the tomato puree. Mix with the corn. Place in the blender or food grinder next to the soybeans. They should be cooked in water for about two hours and used warm or cold. So that they take less time to cook, it is good to let them soak overnight.
- Add the two beaten eggs and the diced cheese.
- To finish, season, pour into a greased source and bake for half an hour until golden.
There are plenty of healthy plant alternatives to meat. Thus, we can see that there is no reason to neglect eating by following a vegetarian diet. Vegetable proteins provide the body with the necessary amino acids, supplying the body’s protein needs effectively in people who have decided not to eat meat. Go ahead and surprise your loved ones with these delicious vegan recipes!