Seitan

[AXJ]

What meat subsitute? If you mean tofu/seitan, then I certainly don't consider them to be a meat subsitute.

And your diet is 90% veggie ... if you eat fish, then you're not veggie

"Roll Up Roll Up see the amazing fish eating vegetarian!!"

These recipes look very interesting, really are a must try, thanks for posting them

[Graye]

I came back to this thread to check if there was anything going on and was amazed to see it still alive and well and still attracting comment. I have no trouble buying the appropriate flour to make the seitan here in the Dordogne in France - I just buy strong flour (for bread making) from the local co operative farmers shop. It seems to work as well as specialised gluten flour products. I like the look of the latest recipe and will be trying it out shortly, thank you!
I´m surprised that a few people feel obliged to question why veggies would want to use something others consider "flesh substitutes". I am by no means an ethical veggie ( I just happen to hate the fibrous texture of real meat and also the likelihood of encountering gristly bits in real meat) but I do enjoy having the option of using different textures/tastes to supplent the normal veggie fayre. I love vegetables and pulses - I also enjoy TVP and similar "meat substitutes". Is there something wrong with that? I really don´t see the need for evangelical style comments - people should be able to eat what they like surely?

[AXJ]

I´m surprised that a few people feel obliged to question why veggies would want to use something others consider "flesh substitutes". I am by no means an ethical veggie ( I just happen to hate the fibrous texture of real meat and also the likelihood of encountering gristly bits in real meat) but I do enjoy having the option of using different textures/tastes to supplent the normal veggie fayre. I love vegetables and pulses - I also enjoy TVP and similar "meat substitutes". Is there something wrong with that? I really don´t see the need for evangelical style comments - people should be able to eat what they like surely?

I completely agree with you, and there are many people on here who have live stock etc. The vegans that I cater for are grateful that there is some variety available, a veggie chilli with textured protien mince is a wonderful thing.

The biggest problem with process foods in particular is that they have a heafty carbon foot print, the average processed food (and TVP qualifies I imagine) requires 10 calories of fossil fuel burn for each calorie that is delivered to your body when you eat it. Something worth knowing, but am damned if it would stop me from falling back on what we lovingly referred to as 'Linda's Box' i.e. Some Linda McCartney sausages, or what ever. (Not available over here sadly).

Eat what you like, everyone else does

[hedgewitch]

(mmmm chocoalte gloop . mmmmmm)

LOL!
I haven't had chocolate for months!!
When I get a craving (time of the month) I make the most delicious vegan chocolate cake in the world using cocoa - it's seriously good.
PM me your address and I'll pop a bag in the post - when all the lorries were on strike I nipped to the health food shop and stocked up on gluten so I have a spare bag in the cupboard already.

If anyone's interested I have a vegan/vegetarian website.

www.heathenvegan.com

[kathleen]

We had a really yummy chilli for dinner tonight, I cooked up brown lentils in miso broth til they were all lovely & soft, boiled up smushed up tomatoes with some hot chillis til they were all reduced & gorgeous, gently fried onions ,carrots, chillies, garlic & mushrooms, then put it all in a big pot with some salt & pepper! It was the yummiest thing I've eaten in ages! I dont' know if I have the patience to make seitan, but I might just give it a go!

[hedgewitch]

You should Kathleen - it is so easy.
Takes less than 10 mins to prepare and then you let the oven do the rest.

[barefootlinzi]

this recipe sounds lovely...really want to give it a try but i am being a bit dense.....what is wheat gluten and nutritional yeast flakes? and where can i get it? would my local healthfood shop sell it?

[AXJ]

We had a really yummy chilli for dinner tonight, I cooked up brown lentils in miso broth til they were all lovely & soft, boiled up smushed up tomatoes with some hot chillis til they were all reduced & gorgeous, gently fried onions ,carrots, chillies, garlic & mushrooms, then put it all in a big pot with some salt & pepper! It was the yummiest thing I've eaten in ages! I dont' know if I have the patience to make seitan, but I might just give it a go!

Sounds excellent, I'd chuck in a few Cashu nuts 20 mins before the end for an added texture, and complimentary protein.

Dahl is quite similar, if you substitue olive oil for ghee it's vegan, serve with a slice of lemon in the middle, one of my favorites

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/datab ... 7844.shtml

[Lady Willow]

this recipe sounds lovely...really want to give it a try but i am being a bit dense.....what is wheat gluten and nutritional yeast flakes? and where can i get it? would my local healthfood shop sell it?

Gluten flour is the stuff you need to make seitan... although some folks make it with ordinary flour.

Nutritional yeast is great for vegans as it's packed with lots of B vitamins in addition to other goodies. It shouldn't be heated as that will kill of the vitamins, so you can't cook with it, but you can stir it into all kinds of stuff - ... or use it as a flavouring for popcorn ... or you can make a cheezy spread with it, using miso, tahini, lemon juice (if anybody what's the recipe, let me know). It has a very cheezy flavour, so anybody who has given up, and is missing, cheese, give it a try.

Not a lot of healthfood shops sell it ... I got a pile from an international food store. It's made by Marigold, the same folk who do the great bouillion poweder ... you'll be able to get it mail order from www.goodnessdirect.co.uk and other online health food / vegan suppliers.

[hedgewitch]

this recipe sounds lovely...really want to give it a try but i am being a bit dense.....what is wheat gluten and nutritional yeast flakes? and where can i get it? would my local healthfood shop sell it?

Not dense at all

Nutritional yeast, similar to brewer's yeast, is a nutritional supplement popular with vegans and the health conscious, who use it as an ingredient in recipes or simply as a condiment.
It is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium.

Gluten is what is left when the starch is washed out of flour.

Both can be bought from Health food shops.

[Lady Willow]

Hedgewitch ... are we on the same wavelength today or what!

[hedgewitch]

The satan vibe!!

[Green Aura]

I can't buy gluten flour here (France)

If you've got a cheap supply of strong bread flour you can make it without the VWG. It takes a bit of time and seems a bit wasteful - basically you wash a large lump of flour dough until it becomes a much smaller lump of gluten - but it is quite satisfying to make. And a must if you want something to chew! You also have to flavour it via the stock you cook it in rather than adding your seasoning to the mix.
I've got a recipe if anyone wants it.
Maggie

[AXJ]

I can't buy gluten flour here (France)

If you've got a cheap supply of strong bread flour you can make it without the VWG. It takes a bit of time and seems a bit wasteful - basically you wash a large lump of flour dough until it becomes a much smaller lump of gluten - but it is quite satisfying to make. And a must if you want something to chew! You also have to flavour it via the stock you cook it in rather than adding your seasoning to the mix.
I've got a recipe if anyone wants it.
Maggie

I'm interested in the recipe, not found gluten flour here (Basque Country) either. Thanks

[Lady Willow]

If you've got a cheap supply of strong bread flour you can make it without the VWG. It takes a bit of time and seems a bit wasteful - basically you wash a large lump of flour dough until it becomes a much smaller lump of gluten
Maggie

Thanks for your kind tip ... but I'm worried how much water the washing process would take. I try to use as little water as poss, so if gluten flour will do that I rather use it.

But thanks anyway