TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

Textured Vegetable Protein, that is. I'm considering ordering some freeze-dried TVP to supplement my supplies. Eventually, the canned meats, fish and the freeze-dried entrees will be exhausted and we will need a cost-effective, long-term storable protein source to go with the dry staples (rice, beans, wheat) that we have.

My question is, does anyone have any experience with this stuff? Taste/texture? My daughter was a vegan for a while and I've tried some of her meat substitutes and came to the conclusion that the best thing would be to throw the Boca Burgers etc, away and eat the packaging!

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

You could try mixing meat with the vegetable protein to try and "extend" your meat supply.

Is it time to start a soylent green thread? :D

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

There are some amazing meatless "meats" out there--Boca isn't one of them.

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

Do tell......

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

Do you mean like Tofu?

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

Im not sure if you are talking about soy protein or not..
My daughter is a vegetarian so we both did some dietary research. There is some controversy over the safety of eating large quantities of soy. There are studies that indicate it can cause thyroid problems as well as other health problems. Some of the failing health of young people may be attributed to drinking soy baby formula.

Soy is a great alternative to starvation but do your research before you make it a regular part of your diet.
My daughter switched form soy milk to rice milk after doing her research.

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

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Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

The beef TVP works pretty good in chilli or spagetti sauce, but if you taste it by itself it tastes like crap imo. You wouldn't want to use it in a recipe where the meat was a main ingredient, but its ok mixed with certain things. You can't taste the flavor of the TVP over tomato sauce so it just adds texture and makes it look like there is meat in it. While its not tasty like meat, its better then nothing in some recipes.

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

I have five #10 cans stored of TVP. Beef, Ham, Chicken, Taco and sloppy joe. Purchased from Emergency Essentials and Honeyville.
Speaking of Meat Substitutes, I had a Lentil and Broccoli quiche the other day. I think Lentils are the original meat sub.

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

The bacon TVP is just 'bacon bits' like they sell for salads. You eat them without rehydrating them. If you like bacon bits you will like the bacon TVP.

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

Most people don't know how versatile Tofu is.

If you get firm tofu--the kind that comes in a plastic tub that's wet, and you cut it up into bite sized cubes and deep fry them in oil for about 12 minutes or so until they are a little chewey, you can then drain them, and add them to all sorts of stir fried vegetables and make a tasty sauce, and you'll never miss eating meat. True, you have to eat more of it to be satisfied, but not much more if you deep fry it. Tofu costs about $1.45 a pound. A pound will feed three people easily.

TVP is a bit more challenging in terms of making something tasty with it.

Hatha

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

I was curious about the abbreviation and found this fyi.

Re: TVP as a Meat Substitute?
 

I like the taste of the stuff but I am strange that way.:D

I find it works very well in 50/50 quantities with ground meat for meatballs, chilli, bolognese etc.

I also like it added to pasta salads, actually pasta in general.

I know there are some question marks about its healthyness. But it keeps well and is probably a heck of a lot healthier than starving.