Meat-replacements

Sugar Alternatives

Whether you’re a diabetic or just looking for ways to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet there are a number of alternatives available these days. Of course we do not recommend using any chemical based sugar substitute at any time. Several of these have been linked to cancer in more than one study.

• Agave nectar is a delicious and natural sweetener that can even be used in a raw food diet.
• Stevia is an herb that has a wonderfully sweet flavor. It is also available in health food stores and as the commercial brand Truvia.
• Fresh fruit juices are a great natural way to sweeten dishes. Grape juice is a personal favorite, but mango juice is also great!

Closing Thoughts

I hope that these recipes will serve as a good starting point for you, especially if vegetarianism or veganism is new to you. The most important thing to remember at all times is that you are not limited to a life of salads and carrot sticks as some may have you believe.
Non meat eaters have a tremendously varied diet and can often replicate nearly any flavor and texture you would find in meat, without the fat, health or social issues that are associated with eating meat.
Use these recipes in good health and don’t ever be afraid to make them your own! Take control of your kitchen and you will discover a newfound freedom that no one will ever be able to take away from you.
Here’s to being your healthy best!

Shitake Bacon

vegan
heart healthy

INGREDIENTS:

• shitake mushrooms
• Bragg’s Amino Acids
• olive oil
• seat salt
• black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Slice mushrooms thinly.
2. Toss mushrooms with Bragg’s Amino Acids, olive oil, salt & pepper.
3. Place on dehydrator trays and dehydrate for several hours until dried and crisp.
4. Alternatively, bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
5. These are great chopped and used in omelets or in sandwiches!

Simple Pinto Burgers

kid-friendly
heart healthy
low cholesterol
see vegan alternatives

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups cooked pinto beans
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• egg or egg replacement
• splash of almond milk
• salt & pepper to taste
• flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mash beans and add remaining ingredients (except flour).
2. Shape into patties by forming balls and flattening them.
3. Dip in flour and refrigerate until ready to cook.
4. Sauté in butter or margarine until golden.
5. Uncooked burgers will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days. Freeze unused portions and thaw for a quick meal anytime.

Vegan Nutloaf

kid-friendly
heart healthy
low cholesterol
vegan

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
• 3/4 cup pecan meal (run them through a food processor)
• 2 1/2 cups rice milk
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 1 cup wheat germ
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. Sauté celery and onion in water.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
4. Form loaf in prepared loaf pan and bake for 65-70 minutes or more, until done.

Flexible Meat Replacer

kid-friendly
heart healthy
low cholesterol
vegan

If you aren’t yet familiar with vital gluten, it could easily become your best friend as a new vegetarian. This stuff is so flexible that you can even form it into a meat replacement that will fry up just like meat! Give it a try – you’ll love it.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup vital gluten
• water
• 1 teaspoon salt & pepper
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together and add water, kneading to form a very thick dough.
2. Roll dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
3. Remove dough from freezer and cut into 1/4″ to 1/2″ slices. These slices may be frozen for future use if desired.
4. You may cube the slices, cut them into strips or fry / bake them as they are. They are just waiting for addition to your favorite recipe and they are sure to be a big hit.
ALTERNATE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Instead of slicing the log, you can roll the dough and cut it into sections (no need to be precise, it is a meat replacement and meat isn’t perfect).
2. Lightly pan fry to golden brown.