Quorn

[binley100]

P'haps they could be called quausages or quurgers or how about mincequorn then carnivores wouldn't bang on about pretend meat. Just a thought from a carnivore........

[piskieinboots]

or veggiemince?

[zazen999]

I LOVE veggiemince. Much better than Quorn Mince.

[It's called mince because it is minced up, right?]

[Two_Sheds]

why did you put links to quorn videos [on your website] if you have never actually had any? Very strange....

That is strange. It's nowt to do with Google Ads is it? (and gaining a small income when people click on links in your website)

[It's called mince because it is minced up, right?]

... and not because it walks funny

[Nicos]

We had either quorn or tofu the other day at a veggie fete...and nope- I just can't get my head around them

Both to me are Yuk......

I'd much rather have had a shitaki mushroom if we're looking for texture in a veggie dish.

[Two_Sheds]

I'd much rather have had a shitaki mushroom if we're looking for texture in a veggie dish.

Uck - that's squid-texture

[Nicos]

True- but at least it's got the texture of something with protein in it!!

[piskieinboots]

I LOVE veggiemince. Much better than Quorn Mince.

what's that made up of?

serious question cos I don't know and do wish to introduce less meat meals - please don't say minced up veg cos that will traumatise me

[andyh]

Never heard of veggiemince, I will have to add that to my list of foodstuff to try. Where can you get that from?

[Hilary B]

Isn't veggiemince another name for TVP (which is soya based), or maybe not so much 'another' name as what it is called NOW (it was TVP when I was a hard-up student using it to make mince go further)?
Protein from vegetable sources is fine for them who likes it (and I use it sometimes), but making it into sausages IS 'pretend meat', because sausages were made from meat for a VERY long time before these alternatives came into existence. Not that there is any reason a vegetarian shouldn't be able to enjoy meat-like meals if they want to.
ONE reason SOME omnivores (I've never met a human carnivore, we all include some vegetable-based food) can be touchy about vegetarianism is if we have met some of the more extreme vegetarians who try to create guilt in all who do not share their preferences. There is occasionally a tendency to over-react. Being aware that this can happen I fight the tendency....

[lindyloo]

qourn- i have used it a few times in the past ; the chicken stuff is quite good i think, the mince is ok- ish, but you could probably get the same taste and texture by chewing on cardboard! i find the 'mince' bits are way too small. i have used it in spag. bog. and it is ok, but i find it really makes me very dehydrated. i probably wont buy it again.

tofu- bought it once to cut up and fry for a recipe. never again.

baco-bits, by betty crocker- i love this stuff, but can't get it any more. i used to add it to potato salad, and also to make b.l.t.'s as good as real bacon, and i dont buy the real stuff due to welfare issues- especially danish bacon- very low welfare standards

and someone asked about why people were down on vegetarians ( or similar wording); for me personally, i dont mind vegatarians who don't eat meat because they don't like the taste or texture- that's thier personal preferance. i am not so keen on those vegetarians who think they are superior to meat eaters, whilst buying dairy products that contribute to that segment of the industry tha relies on what i consider inhumane disposal of male calfs or a factory lifestyle of milk cows. i feel like this because i think it a bit hypocritical. i am all for vegan's though, and have total respect for them. ( i am not a vegan, but i try to be as ethical and low impact on animal life as i can be- wish i was vegan, maybe i will be someday, but i do like meat.)

[Alison]

Had one of the best meals I ever had in China which was a tofu thing (not too sure what as I can't translate), not 100% sure it was proper veggie as they did have a habit of crowbarring meat / meat stock into everything we ate but the basic protein was definitely tofu. Have also eaten some God awful stuff too so it's very variable and I think the soft stuff is particularly rank but it's personal taste.

Very iffy about a lot of veggie minces as a lot of the ones I've had are TVP, often with soya from dodgy sources so tend to keep away from that.

Things made to look like meat - does it really matter. People are vegetarian for a variety of reasons (I'm not but don't eat much meat). Fair enough if it's purely on animal cruelty grounds then you probably don't want something that looks like a chicken breast but if, for example, it's environmenal reasons that drive you then there's no reason at all why it would be a problem. And at the end of the day, does it really matter so long as you're eating a healthy and balanced diet?

[taff]

I don't mind quorn mince although as most people have said, it's pretty tasteless on it's own, you need something to give it lfavour, so really, it's just there as a bulk addition. Quorn shepherds pie is quite nice, and got a thumbs up from a vegan and a veggie, so that's a plus.
Tofu, I quite like it, it's got the same kind of texture as paneer, if not so chewy, and it's very nice in curries/chillies, or fried with breadcrumbs as a sort of camembert substitute.

The thing about veggie stuff shaped as patties, I think it's more convenient, it's harder to eat a carrot shaped object in a bun...and sausages shapes? well, easier to cook than a splodge really....

[zazen999]

i am not so keen on those vegetarians who think they are superior to meat eaters, whilst buying dairy products that contribute to that segment of the industry tha relies on what i consider inhumane disposal of male calfs or a factory lifestyle of milk cows. i feel like this because i think it a bit hypocritical.

I prefer to let people eat what they want; rather than judge them on MY principles.

For example; I don't say I am only keen on meat eaters who slaughter their own animals.....let people eat what they want...it's a bit pretentious to judge them on principles that only apply to you.

[Rhona]

... btw, I hate tofu in all its forms, it's too much like polystyrene

I used to think that, then discovered the Chinese market here sells freshly made tofu. They make it twice a week, I think. Buy whatever size block you want or they'll marinade and fry it, if you want. It's delish.


Anyhoo. I'm a little surprised at some bits of this thread, to be honest. I've never felt even mild annoyance at what someone else chooses to eat. I cook for vegetarians frequently, and love doing it; couldn't care less if a vegetarian wants their Quorn in the shape of a sausage; and have yet to meet a 'superior' vegetarian who treats me like I'm a moron for eating meat.

Thankfully, most people have the sense to do their own thing and not bang on about it, or try to stir it up, I suppose. My sister is a vegetarian and doesn't really encounter any negativity about it.

I don't mind a bit of Quorn or tofu, but much prefer paneer or halloumi to either. Tofu's great in Japanese cooking, but in anything else, I just want the tofu to be halloumi...