As a vegetarian, recipe ingredients for dishes that originally call for meat or animal products can get a bit tricky. Certainly you could just turn the other direction and seek out a meal which was created for vegetarians by vegetarians, but sometimes it is either easier or more desirable to just adapt something. As such, it can take a bit of foresight and some thinking but it is entirely possible.
Perhaps the most immediate problem a recipe can have is meat. Whether it is chicken, pork, beef, or something else, you are going to want something with a similar texture and then hopefully taste as well. There is also the question of how the meal wants the meat processed - is it whole or chopped or diced, etc.
For chopped or ground meat substitutes, you might try beans or possibly some cheeses. Both of these items have exceptional body to them and can offer subtle or notable flavors depending on your aim. Often beans are great for protein when combined with rice and can provide that hearty touch people look for.
In the event of a recipe calling for whole or just larger pieces of animal, tofu or possibly seitan might be what you are needing. One of the great things about tofu is how variable it can be made to be in terms of its flavors and texture. If you have never handled or worked with them before, however, be prepared for a bit of experimentation as they may not handle exactly like a steak when it comes to cooking.
Should you want to make a soup and wish to avoid beef or chicken stock, you might turn to making your own stock instead. Utilizing any number of vegetables you like, you can create a mother-watering broth that will more than suffice for any missing animal content. Put a bit of thought into what flavors you think would go best depending upon the rest of the dish.
Something that can pose a problem but also go overlooked is gelatin. It does happen to be a product of animals and therefore hopefully will not find its way into your meal. Instead, try working with guar or xantham gums which are made from grains. These and other options can provide the body or texture you need without compromising the lack of animal content.
Non-vegetarian recipe ingredients do not have to seem like impossible obstacles when it comes to cooking a desired dish. At the most they should add a few more minutes to your planning and shopping times, but otherwise you don't have to worry too much. Remember to shoot for organic and fresh options when it comes to vegetables.
Perhaps the most immediate problem a recipe can have is meat. Whether it is chicken, pork, beef, or something else, you are going to want something with a similar texture and then hopefully taste as well. There is also the question of how the meal wants the meat processed - is it whole or chopped or diced, etc.
For chopped or ground meat substitutes, you might try beans or possibly some cheeses. Both of these items have exceptional body to them and can offer subtle or notable flavors depending on your aim. Often beans are great for protein when combined with rice and can provide that hearty touch people look for.
In the event of a recipe calling for whole or just larger pieces of animal, tofu or possibly seitan might be what you are needing. One of the great things about tofu is how variable it can be made to be in terms of its flavors and texture. If you have never handled or worked with them before, however, be prepared for a bit of experimentation as they may not handle exactly like a steak when it comes to cooking.
Should you want to make a soup and wish to avoid beef or chicken stock, you might turn to making your own stock instead. Utilizing any number of vegetables you like, you can create a mother-watering broth that will more than suffice for any missing animal content. Put a bit of thought into what flavors you think would go best depending upon the rest of the dish.
Something that can pose a problem but also go overlooked is gelatin. It does happen to be a product of animals and therefore hopefully will not find its way into your meal. Instead, try working with guar or xantham gums which are made from grains. These and other options can provide the body or texture you need without compromising the lack of animal content.
Non-vegetarian recipe ingredients do not have to seem like impossible obstacles when it comes to cooking a desired dish. At the most they should add a few more minutes to your planning and shopping times, but otherwise you don't have to worry too much. Remember to shoot for organic and fresh options when it comes to vegetables.
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