Good meat substitutes
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More and more people are nowadays (semi-) vegetarians. Sometimes for health reasons: people want to lose weight or do something about high cholesterol. Others will do it because a good piece of meat has become quite expensive and the meat substitutes are often cheaper. And still others do it in protest against the meat industry and the way it appears to be dealing with animal welfare and public health. Whatever your reasons for not eating meat for a day on a regular basis or even cutting it out of your diet completely, you don't have to go hungry without meat!
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In response to the growing consumer demand for meat substitutes, various companies in the food industry have added alternatives to meat to their range and meat substitutes are also taking up more and more space on supermarket shelves.
Vegetable proteins and other ingredients
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A meat substitute is made from vegetable proteins and other ingredients. One of the most commonly used ingredients is soy, which is known to have beneficial effects on our health. Thus, it lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. In addition, soy proteins provide us with all 9 essential amino acids and are packed with isoflavones, which protect us against breast and prostate cancer. Soy also causes our body to secrete less calcium and therefore reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
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11 minMain dishpeanut oil, tofu stir-fry cubes finely seasoned, stir fry sauce sweet and sour, thick noodles, carrot julienne, beetroot julienne, yellow bell pepper, watercress,rainbow salad with tofu -
45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
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Some meat substitutes taste and look like real meat, while others have their own unique flavor and texture. In general, meat substitutes are less fat than real meat and provide us with a lot of protein, iron and B vitamins.
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The first meat substitute dates back to 1922 and was developed in Tennessee, USA. Soybean meat it was called. Today there are hundreds of different brands and products of meat substitutes. The market for vegetarians and flexitarians (a new term for people who eat partly vegetarian food) has therefore been growing strongly for several decades.
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Below an overview of the most popular meat substitutes:
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5 minDrink without alcoholbananas, cool fresh apple-pear raspberry juice, Soy drink vanilla,soy fruit shake -
20 minMain dishsauerkraut, sticking potato, liquid baking product, half-to-half minced, Spice meatballs, pineapple, olive oil, liquid baking product,gratin sauerkraut dish with minced meat -
40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
1. Tofu
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Probably one of the best known meat substitutes. Made from soy beans and soy milk. The texture can range from firm, for baking and frying, to soft, for dips, sauces and desserts.
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The health benefits:
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Made from soybeans and grains. A classic in Indonesian cuisine. Firm in texture and with a delicious, nutty taste. A good alternative to chicken.
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20 minMain dishTasty vine tomato, (olive oil, fresh basil, onion, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, zucchini spaghetti, pumpkin spaghetti, mini buffalo mozzarella,lukewarm pumpkin and zucchini spaghetti -
15 minSide dishtraditional olive oil, curry powder, wheat flour, coconut milk, sambal oelek, chicken broth tablet, water, fresh mango,curry sauce with mango -
30 minMain dishtraditional olive oil, lean ground beef, frozen Mexican wok vegetables, salsa sauce mild, taco shell, grated young cheese, creme fraiche,Mexican vegetable in tacos -
95 minMain dishmaize chicken, lemon, coarse sea salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, thyme, zucchini, tomatoes (small to), black olives without pit,provençal chicken with zucchini and tomatoes
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The health benefits:
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In Asia this has been used for hundreds of years. They are actually gluten rich in proteins made from rinsed flour and dough. Also called grain meat. Available in health food stores and Asian food stores.
4. Vegetable Protein Texture (PPT)
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This was one of the first meat substitutes on the market, made from soybean flour and cooked to mimic the texture of meat. Available in health food stores or some supermarkets and much cheaper than meat. It absorbs the flavor of herbs and dressings well due to its spongy texture.
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The health benefits:
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25 minSmall dishflour, frozen puff pastry, egg, milk, walnut, mature cheese, paprika, dried Provençal herbs,puff pastry-sticks -
20 minSide dishEggs, lettuce, parsley, olive oil (extra virgin), tarragon vinegar, salt and freshly ground pepper,lettuce with egg dressing -
15 minSmall dishbaking flour, peanut oil, flat leaf parsley,ar'nabit mi'li -
15 minAppetizerScottish salmon fillet, butter or margarine, fresh dill, creme fraiche, dry white wine, arugula lettuce melange, pan tostado,baked salmon with white-wine sauce
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Made from mycoproteins, a protein from the mushroom family that combines with protein and vegetable flavors to give it the texture and flavor of meat. Easily absorbs flavors. Available in many varieties such as burgers, fillets, bacon and sandwich fillings.
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The health benefits:
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Do you know of any other healthy meat substitutes? And what is your opinion about the meat substitutes that we listed above? Are they tasty and a really good alternative to meat? Let us all know in a comment!