In China, during the Han Dynasty (about 600 B.C.E) mock meat was born to accommodate the foreigners that visited the Buddhist monasteries. Since respect for all life and abstaining from meat is apart of Buddhist philosophy, the Chinese developed a mock meat that approximates the aesthetic qualities, primarily texture, flavor, and appearance of meat to make their carnivorous guests feel at home.
Today, most mock meats you find in the supermarket are over processed and filled with chemicals and fillers. If you are not eating meat for health reasons, this alternative is not a very good one. That is why it’s important to read the labels of any mock meat you buy and just like meat, should be eaten in moderation.
- Soybean Fiber
- Soybean Protein
- Soybean Sauce
- Natural Seasoning
As you can read, it does not have anything in it I can’t pronounce and don’t recognize.
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| Stir Frying |
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package of vegetarian beef strips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 green onions (green parts only), chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 green bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons salsa
Marinade
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup water
1-teaspoon agave syrup
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Directions:
1 Whisk soy sauce, water, oil, rice vinegar, agave and ground ginger. In a medium size bowl, pour over beef strips and marinate for 10 minutes. Set aside.
2 Heat oil in wok over high heat; sauté onion, green onions, garlic, and ginger for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn clear.
3 Stir in green pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until peppers become soft.
4 Add the vegetarian beef with marinade and stir-fry for an additional 5 minutes.
5 Stir in the salsa and cook for another 3 minutes blending all ingredients.
That looks and sounds fantastic! I too have a hard time finding mock meats I approve of. I think you can find junk food on pretty much any restrictive diet…such is the wonder of the modern grocery store and food marketing. Looking for low carb….try some bacon….or this cookie made with chemicals produced in a lab somewhere. Sorry for the rant, I really just meant to stop by and say yum!
This dish is always a hit with my meat eating guests and vegetarian friends as well. If you have a cooperative supermarket, then you can ask them to carry this brand that I listed. Would love to hear back from you when you make this and hear how it came out.