Vegetarian Meals Meat Eaters Will Love

Using Meat Substitutions to Make Delicious Dishes

Aug 20, 2009

Whether vegetarian eating is necessary for health or ethical reasons, meat substitutes can provide delicious options for those who still enjoy a meat taste.

A vegetarian lifestyle can provide a cruelty-free eating option and can improve overall health. Often times though, vegetarians may need to prepare meals for friends or family who enjoy eating meat. Luckily, meat substitutes provide tasty options that even meat lovers would enjoy.

Recipe Crumbles Ground Sausage Substitute

Recipe Crumbles is a meat substitute that can be used in recipes in which ground sausage is normally used. Crumbles can be found in the frozen food section of the grocery store and can be seasoned just like meat. Use crumbles in Mexican food like tacos and enchiladas or in Italian dishes like lasagna. Crumbles can even be used on pizza or in Hamburger Helper dishes for a casual meal.

To prepare Crumbles, spray a frying pan with a non stick spray and heat the crumbles on a medium heat. Add a small amount of water as needed to prevent the Crumbles from drying out. Add spices and seasoning to the pan and fold the spices into the Crumbles. Once the Crumbles are completely heated through and seasoned, remove the pan from the heat and then add the Crumbles to any ground sausage recipe.

Morningstar Farms Vegetarian Bacon

Morningstar Farms manufactures a bacon-like product that is completely meat-free. The vegetarian bacon comes frozen and can be found at most grocery stores. The fake bacon can be fried in a pan just like regular bacon, but it can also be cooked in a microwave.

This bacon can be used as a side dish for breakfast, or it can be used in a BLT sandwich. To make a vegetarian BLT, fry the vegetarian bacon in a frying pan over medium heat. Toast some sourdough bread and coat one slice of the toast with either fresh avocado or mayonaise. Lay a crisp piece of iceberg lettuce on the bread. Lay the vegetarian bacon on top of the lettuce. For the best BLT, purchase tomatos at a local farmer's market or pick them from a garden. Place two thin slices of tomato on top of the faux bacon and place the last piece of bread on top, sandwiching the ingredients.

Meat-Free Barbecue Substitutes

Barbecue-friendly meat substitutes include vegetarian Italian sausage, hot dogs and hamburgers. Boca Burgers are meat-free hamburgers that can be grilled or cooked in the microwave. Boca manufactures both vegetarian and vegan burgers that taste similar to meat. Morninstar Farms also manufactures Italian sausage and hot dogs that can both be cooked on the grill.

To make a vegetarian Italian sausage on the grill, cook a Morningstar Farms Italian sausage on the grill until it is completely cooked through. Create a tin foil dish on the grill and cook some thinly sliced onions and green peppers on the grill. Season the vegetables with oil and spices. Toast a hamburger bun on the grill and then place the Italian sausage in the bun. Coat with ketchup and mustard, if desired, and top with the onion and green pepper mixture.

Vegetarian Options for All Tastes

Many meat alternatives are available at the local grocery store. Consumers can explore different meat-free options to enhance their diets and enjoy favorite dishes. Whether using substitutes for recipes or as a quick snack, there are many options to satisfy meat cravings without actually eating meat.

The copyright of the article Vegetarian Meals Meat Eaters Will Love in Vegetarian Cuisine is owned by Elizabeth Beeson. Permission to republish Vegetarian Meals Meat Eaters Will Love in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.