Meatless Monday: Meat Alternatives

For some, cutting out meat (even once a week) can be a challenge. Years of the standard western diet (consisting largely of animal-based products) has taught us that without meat our meal is incomplete. Further, a common misconception is that those who don’t eat meat don’t get enough protein: this is simply not true.

A diet free of or low in animal products can provide us with more than enough protein to sustain an active, healthy lifestyle, and there are tons of meat alternatives available to fill that “void” that some have when our plates are meatless. This Meatless Monday, consider one of these tasty (and protein-packed) meat alternatives.

Tofu
Perhaps the most well-known meat alternative, tofu has gotten a bad rap for being bland and therefore boring. However, when prepared properly, tofu can be mouthwateringly delicious. Think of tofu like a sponge. When you set it in liquid (marinade), its porous texture soaks up the liquid, adopting its flavour, and making tofu anything but bland. Try these tasty tofu recipes, and find out why this meatless protein has been a staple in vegetarians’ diets for decades.

• Sweet and Sour Tofu
• Tofu Tikka Masala
• Soba Noodles with Almond Sauce and Pan-Fried Tofu

Tempeh
Part of the traditional Indonesian diet, tempeh is an easily digested and tasty meat alternative. Unlike tofu, which is made from pressed soybean curd, tempeh is made from naturally fermented and bound soybeans, giving it more texture than tofu. Raw tempeh is generally found in the freezer section and will keep in your home freezer for several months. Smoked and marinated varieties, including yummy tempeh “bacon,” are found in the refrigerator section. Give tempeh a try with one of these fool-proof recipes.

• Tempeh “Chorizo”
• Cantonese-Style Orange-Sauced Tempeh
• Tempeh with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Seitan
Also sometimes referred to as “wheat meat,” seitan is essentially a doughy meatlike product made primarily of vital wheat gluten and seasoned with herbs, spices, and soy sauce. When incorporated into a meal, seitan offers the chewy texture of meat, but without the unhealthy saturated fat. Seitan is extremely versatile, and can be easily incorporated into a variety of dishes including stir-fries, stews, salads, kebabs, or meatless loaves. The following recipes will tempt even the most stubborn of meat-eaters.

• Basic Seitan
• Farfalle and Seitan Salad with Pecan Pesto
• Turkish-Style Seitan Shish Kebab