The British idea of vegetarian food

[ICB]

what i am trying to say is that I can't understand the idea of passing veggie food as meat, as if it was meat, just fooling yourself. I normally can't stand nut roasts, but there is no reason why it can't be good (I did enjoy one, once), there is just no reason to think of it as meat, just as a nut roast, thinking of nuts. I enjoy chestnut puree, It's meaty in a way, but I don't think of it as a meat alternative, that's all.

I don't understand this either.

I've often cooked things like lasagne and spag bol with quorn for meaty mates who reckon it's as good as any meaty version, just not swimming in fat.

It's not really passing it off as meat, it's pretty easy to tell the difference. Wouldn't want to be without my mexican wraps or Shmu's leak and cheese pie both of which use quorn chicken style pieces.

 

[tarannau]

Quorn is fucking horrible. It's a nasty fungus based product with dubious origins and some much debated potential health problems.

It's like a particularly shit version of the shittest meat available, often with the kind of texture that makes me want to throw things. Why make a crap adaptation of an existing recipe, swapping Quorn for meat: it's bound to be way inferior, an ersatz facsimile of a meal.

I'd rather just have the veg thanks. I do resent the farming practices used in intensively reared meat, but I'm not going to swap one set of dodginess for a scummy industrial effluent of a fungus sold to us by the same distasteful agribusinesses.

It always strikes me as bizarre that folks would choose to eat this stuff. There are so many good vegetarian recipes and choices out there that it's a wonder this stuff survives. Like Cheese Strings and turkey twizzlers, it's one of those surplus foods brought to us by the same food giants.

 

[mr steev]

what i am trying to say is that I can't understand the idea of passing veggie food as meat, as if it was meat, just fooling yourself.

I think a large part of the fake meat market is aimed at meat-eaters.
Quorn big it up as a low-fat option (but with the taste of meat... the fact that they used battery eggs for years says a lot about their views on animal welfare), rather than a 'vegetarian food', Linda Mac's products likewise were also aimed at meat-eaters not being able to tell the difference (I personally don't like them because to me they taste too meaty).
There are also a lot of meat-eaters who will buy these products cos they don't know what else to give vegetarians, and can't get their heads round a meal without meat,

 

[rich!]

I do a moderate amount of work-related travel, and I got myself a "Vegan Passport". In 67 languages, it explains clearly that you don't eat meat or anything like meat. It's always arranged the same way, so if you're feeling clever you can cross out "I don't eat dairy products".

And on another point from earlier, I know veggies from other parts of Europe who say England is heaven for veggies...

 

[sunflower]

I think a large part of the fake meat market is aimed at meat-eaters.
Quorn big it up as a low-fat option (but with the taste of meat... the fact that they used battery eggs for years says a lot about their views on animal welfare), rather than a 'vegetarian food', Linda Mac's products likewise were also aimed at meat-eaters not being able to tell the difference (I personally don't like them because to me they taste too meaty).
There are also a lot of meat-eaters who will buy these products cos they don't know what else to give vegetarians, and can't get their heads round a meal without meat,

Bollocks

I don't agree with this at all. I've not eaten red meat since 1984 but I still like the taste of 'meat' and regularly eat vegetarian sausages and burgers because I want to recapture the taste of real meat without the cruelty involved. Most vegetarians and non-meat eaters that I know feel the same. It's not about disliking the taste of meat it's the act of eating meat that is the issue.

 

[mr steev]

Bollocks

I don't agree with this at all. I've not eaten red meat since 1984 but I still like the taste of 'meat' and regularly eat vegetarian sausages and burgers because I want to recapture the taste of real meat without the cruelty involved.

I'm not saying some veggies don't enjoy fake meat products, just pointing out that I think a large part of the marketing is aimed at meat-eaters... or now you point it out, non-meat eaters as opposed to 'vegetarians' iyswim You very rarely see adds for veggie food that isn't a meat replacement. Maybe it is because the UK vegetarian markets isn't that big compared to others.

Most vegetarians and non-meat eaters that I know feel the same. It's not about disliking the taste of meat it's the act of eating meat that is the issue.

Fair enough
it's the act of eating meat that is the issue.

 

[northernhord]

^ Howz your plot doin mr steev?

 

[Pigeon]

Hleb, sir i pivo! ili Pizza!

Ne meso, hvala, vegetarian sam! Ne, ne, nisam lud. Ne pojedim meso.

Cue looks of wonderment from waiter.

 

[mr steev]

^ Howz your plot doin mr steev?

Very green mate! The rain has benefited the weeds just as much as our plants it seems. Been up there for a couple of hours this evening on hands and knees Our garlic looks the biggest on the site, and our beans are happily climbing
Some bastard slug has got into our greenhouse thingy and munched all our chillis and a few peppers though But we have some in another greenhouse as backup

 

[northernhord]

Very green mate! The rain has benefited the weeds just as much as our plants it seems. Been up there for a couple of hours this evening on hands and knees Our garlic looks the biggest on the site, and our beans are happily climbing
Some bastard slug has got into our greenhouse thingy and munched all our chillis and a few peppers though But we have some in another greenhouse as backup

Good to hear its goin well Bredrin
I,m dreadin goin to mine, its been laggin it down it big time ere for fuckin ages and I aint been able to get to the plot, it will either be a lush healthy green paradise like your plot or else a green mushy pile of bilge water n slugz grazing on me greenz, tommorrow will see

 

[Superape]

well, I find quorn disgusting, personally. I am not a vegetarian, but as I said, (when I am not slagging them veggies for fun ), I don't mind eating vegetarian, I don't have to have meat or fish. but what I can't stand, apart from quorn (and cheap beefburgers, not proper ones) is vegetarian food disguised as meat through its texture and looks. it doesn't make any sense to me. you either meat or you don't. and if you don't, honour the vegetables, grains and pulses by praising them, not passing them off as meat.

Personally I didn't give up eating meat because I didn't like the taste or texture of it, I gave it up because I didn't want to be responsible for killing ickle fluffy animals. After over two decades I still get driven nuts by the smell of a bacon sandwich. I think people underestimate the importance of texture in food & having something I can get my teeth into is really important for me.

I'm resisting the urge to write about the joy of having meat in my mouth.

As an example I like the flavour of leek & auburgines, but the slimy feel makes me gip, & onions need either to be raw or finely chopped or I'm heaving.

Quorn and all the other meat subs give me the texture I miss as well as providing a good source of quick protein without spending 3 hours chanting over a pressure cooker praising the deity of the lentil and channelling my chakra energy through a pan full of chick peas.

Each to their own. My food, my choice, my business.

PS: The Bear in Crickhowell is a great pub - I celebrated hearing the news of my eldest daughter's impending arrival in there

 

[*Miss*Sparkle*]

leak and cheese pie both of which use quorn chicken style pieces.

That sounds tasty - could I get a recipe please?

 

[vipper]

And fucking dullard Nut Roasts for special occasions. A crap replacement for a roast dinner centrepiece all round. Give me a big bag of cashews and pistachios for starters and serve me something more original you bastards.

Indeed! I'd rather have extra fucking vegetables. Unless it's a good nut roast - I have a lentil load recipe that is great with mint sauce and easy.

 

[vipper]

For some reason I can put up with the French desire to put ham on a veggie pizza, the veggie option on the pub menu being veggie lasagne and chips and having no option but some extra vegetables on my plate for a sunday roast, cos I can vote with my feet and make something much nicer for everyone with a quick trip to the shops.

If I'm abroad I don't bother eating out, just make my own food from local stuff. The produce is generally great. Although in Turkey a couple of years ago I repeatedly ate at the BBQ in a hotel I was staying near because the small price was worth paying for the range of brilliant salads on offer. The waiters thought we were weird.

What really annoys me is what seems to be a belief that veggie food must be tasteless and therefore what you need is that secret flavourful ingredient SALT. And lots of it. I had a veggie pastie from a bakers in Porthleven that was so salty it felt like my tongue was burning.

 

[cyberfairy]

Leek and cheese pie and easy nut roast recipes greatfully appreciated

 

[nino_savatte]

I tend to find that much of the food offered to vegetarians is the sort of stuff that meat-eaters think vegetarians will eat. I believe that vegetarians are rarely, if ever, consulted about food by supermarkets. I had some crap that I bought yesterday from Tesco's...Mushroom and Hazlenut slices...bloody awful they were.

 

[pembrokestephen]

Bollocks

I don't agree with this at all. I've not eaten red meat since 1984 but I still like the taste of 'meat' and regularly eat vegetarian sausages and burgers because I want to recapture the taste of real meat without the cruelty involved. Most vegetarians and non-meat eaters that I know feel the same. It's not about disliking the taste of meat it's the act of eating meat that is the issue.

Actually, I'm not sure you're right in your last sentence.

A very substantial proportion of vegetarians - me included - find meat distasteful to eat. I would have a problem (indeed, it's BEEN a problem) with someone serving me up a nice quorn chicken risotto, or fake beefburger. I don't want to eat food that pretends to be meat, though I generally make an exception as far as things like veggie sausages go - but I don't go for ones that are trying to be as much like meat as possible. Admittedly, where sausages are concerned, even a 100% authentic-tasting sausage wouldn't be THAT much like meat!

 

[pembrokestephen]

What really annoys me is what seems to be a belief that veggie food must be tasteless and therefore what you need is that secret flavourful ingredient SALT. And lots of it. I had a veggie pastie from a bakers in Porthleven that was so salty it felt like my tongue was burning.

Reminds me of a comment that Ms Pembrokestephen made shortly after I'd moved in. Something to the effect that she couldn't quite understand how I could cook a bunch of bring ingredients like tinned tomatoes and lentils, and end up with something that tasted so interesting *preen*

Then I built the 7-shelf spice rack, with 4.2m of shelf space, filled it up with spices and herbs, and she Saw The Light

(actually, I tell that against myself slightly, because the stuff she was being complimentary about wasn't particularly exotically spiced).

But spices are definitely the key, I think. I try to keep stuff as low-salt as possible, just because I think it's an overused seasoning, and it's easier to add than it is to take out.

 

[guinnessdrinker]

Quorn and all the other meat subs give me the texture I miss as well as providing a good source of quick protein without spending 3 hours chanting over a pressure cooker praising the deity of the lentil and channelling my chakra energy through a pan full of chick peas.

you don't have to cook hippy muck to enjoy lentils or chick peas.

 

[vipper]

But spices are definitely the key, I think. I try to keep stuff as low-salt as possible, just because I think it's an overused seasoning, and it's easier to add than it is to take out.

I agree. Spices are good. Just a little sometimes, a lot other times.

And remembering that there are more vege than carrots and peas.

 

[vipper]

you don't have to cook hippy muck to enjoy lentils or chick peas.

It's only hippy muck if you chant over it.

 

[guinnessdrinker]

It's only hippy muck if you chant over it.

or overcook it into mush with the addition of non recognisable common veggies without proper seasoning.

 

[vipper]

or overcook it into mush with the addition of non recognisable common veggies without proper seasoning.

Agree, but it must be a communal cooking pot. You cannot cook hippy shite on your own.

 

[guinnessdrinker]

Agree, but it must be a communal cooking pot. You cannot cook hippy shite on your own.

and preferably with lots of cider afterwards.

 

[pembrokestephen]

I agree. Spices are good. Just a little sometimes, a lot other times.

And remembering that there are more vege than carrots and peas.

Oh, definitely. Although I think that ratatouille isn't the best thing that can be done with courgettes and aubergines, it's a very good example of the sort of veg that's out there...

 

[vipper]

Oh, definitely. Although I think that ratatouille isn't the best thing that can be done with courgettes and aubergines, it's a very good example of the sort of veg that's out there...

If you get top notch stuff or home grown then they taste great on their own or with a knob of butter or some chilli sauce.

Broad beans with mint.
Purple sprouting with butter.
New potatoes.
Tomatoes just picked.

That's not boring tasteless food.

 

[pembrokestephen]

If you get top notch stuff or home grown then they taste great on their own or with a knob of butter or some chilli sauce.

Broad beans with mint.
Purple sprouting with butter.
New potatoes.
Tomatoes just picked.

That's not boring tasteless food.

Oh, definitely. And stuff like that makes yer crumb-coated grills and industrial quorn product look like the gak it truly is. But there's room for more mundane stuff, especially as there's only certain times of the year that that stuff is available...

Now, where's those lentils...?

 

[ringo]

I don't like the idea of putting something in my food which could be considered a substitute for meat. I don't want to eat meat, so putting something in that reminds me of it defies logic. I do like Beanfeats spag bol mix though, which might be a guilty pleasure, dunno.
I did have some of those processed "a bit like chicken or turkey" slices the other day. Fucking minging. I can barely remember what meat tastes like, but I know it was nothing like that shite. My littlun gobbled them down, suggesting they're only really suited to someone with the taste buds of a three year old.

 

[vipper]

Oh, definitely. And stuff like that makes yer crumb-coated grills and industrial quorn product look like the gak it truly is. But there's room for more mundane stuff, especially as there's only certain times of the year that that stuff is available...

Now, where's those lentils...?

I think I will strip naked and dance round my broad bean plants to encourage that fertilisation.

 

[northernhord]

I don't like the idea of putting something in my food which could be considered a substitute for meat. I don't want to eat meat, so putting something in that reminds me of it defies logic. I do like Beanfeats spag bol mix though, which might be a guilty pleasure, dunno.
I did have some of those processed "a bit like chicken or turkey" slices the other day. Fucking minging. I can barely remember what meat tastes like, but I know it was nothing like that shite. My littlun gobbled them down, suggesting they're only really suited to someone with the taste buds of a three year old.

I aint so keen on mock meat, I dont see the point of it really, though if its heavily reduced at supermarkets I will buy it