Mock Meat Mantra to Suit the Palate

A meat alternative or meat substitute is a food product made from vegetarian or vegan ingredients, eaten as a replacement for meat. Meat alternatives typically approximate qualities of specific types of meat, such as mouthfeel, flavor, appearance, or chemical characteristics. Vegan meat also called faux, fake, mock, meat analogues, or plant proteins are products that mimic certain qualities of animal-based meat-like textures, flavor, or appearance, for example. They are made from various ingredients such as soy, textured vegetable protein, or wheat gluten, to name a few. Most mock meats are plant-based products made using soya protein, wheat gluten or vegetable substitutes like jackfruit. The claim is that they are healthier as a result offering more nutritive value, more fiber, lower fat content, and no animal fat (which means also no cholesterol).

While some still struggle to be rest assured if mock meat is healthy to eat and indulge into, the answer according to many sources is yes, according to new research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It found the imitation meats to be a good source of fiber, folate and iron while containing less saturated fat than ground beef. But the researchers said they also have less protein, zinc and vitamin B12 and lots of salt. And also for the fact that The product that is so formed is similar in texture and consistency to meat of a live animal. While the method checks the killing of animals, its meat is not considered vegan. This is different from mock meat, that is made from ingredients which are vegetarian. At the end of the day, some vegans eat plant-based meats simply because they taste good. Brands like Gardein, Beyond Meat, Tofurky, Morningstar, Sweet Earth, and more are working to make these tasty meats as accessible, delicious, and flexible as their animal-based counterparts which are well known in the international markets.

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On a technical note, people also wish to find out that 5 Chemicals Lurking in Plant-Based Meats Tertiary butyl hydroquinone. TBHQ is a synthetic preservative that prevents discoloration in processed foods, Magnesium carbonate. Remember when some bread was accused of having a yoga mat chemical, Erythrosine, Propylene glycol and Ferric orthophosphate. The argument still remains if it can be considered healthier than the real meat? since they can provide essential nutrients and fiber and may be lower in saturated fats than meat. However, they may contain lower levels of some nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B12, or zinc, than a regular meat product.

Talking about mock meat India, it simply refers to Mock meat is made of plant proteins processed to resemble meat in terms of texture, taste and palpability. While India’s meatless meat market was almost non-existent a few years ago despite 71% percent of the population eating non-vegetarian food, it is now slowly growing. To know in short how to mock meat? Spices and so-called aromatics are also on standby for replicating meaty taste. Opt for smoky choices like paprika, chipotle powder, cumin, or even smoked sea salt. As for fresh ingredients to start a meat-like meal, Redmond recommends onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, and scallions.

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A common query by many foodies also include that what is the best substitute to meat? The healthiest meat substitute will be vegetarian foods that are natural, high in protein, and minimally processed. Great, healthy meat substitutes include beans, tempeh, lentils, jackfruit, mushrooms, nuts, and seeds. While it is also said that mock mutton is made up of gluten, so what are mock meats and plant-based proteins? Mock meats have been around for ages in Asia, and they’re typically made from wheat gluten. You can find these traditional mock meats in the form of sausages, nuggets, spam, and minced meat. Mock meat, its growing appeal in India and claims about its health benefits. Multiple studies have shown that replacing animal meat with plant-based or ‘fake’ meat alone can cut down the risk of heart-related diseases, blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes.

On the other hand, we at times still wonder if plant based food healthy? A diet centred on plenty of whole, minimally processed plant-based foods is beneficial for our overall health. Plant foods like vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are low in saturated fat, contain heart-healthy fats and are a great source of fibre. Today, mock meat brands are emerging in India, and are armed with numerous kinds of textured meat. You could literally replace meat in any recipe with mock meat and it will be the same. See which of these are available in your city. Ahimsa Foods produces a variety of vegan meat under their brand ‘Veggie Champ’.

Here are a few of my recipes with mock meat trying out an array of simple to cook and dish out delicacies.

Recipe-1] MOCK MEAT PEPPER DELIGHT

Ingredients

Method

Mock meat- 1 tin, 400gms, drained Sliced brinjals-150 gms, round slices Zucchini-1 cup, medium cubes Green/red/yellow capsicum-1/2 cup cubes Oil- 2 tsp Salt to taste Pepper powder to taste Onion paste-1 cup Ginger-garlic paste-1 tsp Tomato puree-1 cup Cumin seeds- 1 tsp Green chillies Chilli- 1-2 slit Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp Chili flakes-1/2 tsp Water-1/2 cup Assorted mixed vegetables- 1 cup Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp Fresh basil leaves- 10-12 no Black olives- 3-4 no Green olives- 3-4 no Carrots/ beans/ potatoes/ peas/ cauliflower Fresh coriander leaves- 2 tbsp. chopped

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the recipe as listed. 2. Slice the brinjal and apply a little oil, salt and pepper and place in the oven for cooking for 12-16 mins at 160 degrees Celsius. 3. Remove and keep aside. Now to prepare the recipe, drain out the mock meat from the tins and cut/ shape into squares or cubes/ use binding agents as needed. 4. To prepare the sauce, heat oil in a pan, add in ginger-garlic paste, onion paste and saute for a few seconds, add in the tomatoes, salt, pepper, herbs, chilli flakes, spices, etc., and saute for 1-2 mins. 5. Add a little water as needed to adjust the texture and allow to cook on a low flame. Pre-prep all the other veggies of your choice, cut, blanch, boil and grill as needed, keep it all ready and add it into the pan and simmer for 4-5 mins. finally add in the mock mat pieces and gently cook for 2-4 mins more. 6. To serve, arrange the cooked brinjal slices at the base of the serving dish and spoon over the cooked mock meat and sauce on top and garnish with fresh herbs, nuts, seeds and coriander leaves etc.

Recipe-2] CURRIED MOCK MEAT WITH NUTS AND RICE

Ingredients

Method

Oil- 2 tsp Ghee- 1 tsp Cumin seeds- ½ tsp Bayleaf- 1-2 no Peppercorns- 3-4 no Ginger-garlic paste-1 tsp Boiled onion paste- 1 cup Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp Coriander powder-1 tsp Red chilli powder-1/4 tsp Salt to taste Water-1/4 cup Cashew paste-2 tsp Fresh cream-1/4 cup Curd-1/4 cup beaten Kasuri methi-1 tsp Sugar-1 pinch Mock meat- 1 and a half cups, chunky pieces Boiled sweet potato- 1 cup cubes Coriander leaves- 2 tsp chopped Boiled rice, tossed in butter and burnt garlic- 1 and a half cup cashews/ peanuts/ assorted nuts as desired-2-3 tsp

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the curried mock meat. 2. Heat oil and ghee in a pan, add in the whole spices, add in cumin seeds, allow to splutter, add onion paste and saute for a few minutes, add in ginger-garlic paste and turmeric, red chilli powder, and coriander powder. 3. Sauté the mixture well, add a little water and cook for 2-3 mins on a low flame. As the oil starts leaving the sides, add in kasuri methi, the cashew, curd, and cream mixture and simmer for 2-3 mins. 4. Add in the sweet potato and mock meat chunks and simmer it all in the curry for 3-4 mins. Check for seasonings and adjust to taste. 5. To serve, toss the boiled rice in butter and garlic and arrange it on a serving plate, top it up with the curried mock meat, and garnish with fried/ toasted nuts and a little fried coriander/ parsley and serve hot.

Recipe-3] MOCK MEAT TACOS

Ingredients

Method

Taco shells- 8-10 no For the mock meat mixture: Mock meat- 1 cup, cubes/chunks Marination for the mock meat: Curd-1/2 cup beaten Salt to taste Crushed black pepper-1/4 tsp Red chilli powder-1/4 tsp Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp Chaat masala-1/4 tsp Cumin powder-1/4 tsp Lime juice-2-3 tsp Apply and keep aside for 10-12 mins. For the salsa sauce: Oil-2-3 tsp Garlic-1 tsp chopped Onion-1/2 cup chopped Tomatoes-1 cup chopped Green chilli-1 tsp chopped Salt and pepper to taste Tomato sauce-2-3 tsp White vinegar-1 tsp Sugar-1/2 tsp Chilli flakes-1/2 tsp Parsley/coriander/mint-2-3 tsp chopped Green capsicums-2-3 tbsp chopped Green olives/ black olives- 2-3 each sliced For the toppings in the tacos: Shredded purple/ white cabbage-1/2 cup Assorted bell peppers- ½ cup shredded Onions-1/2 cup sliced Sprouts-1/2 cup Boiled beans/ tinned re-fried beans-1/2 cup Chilli sauce- a few drizzles Sour cream-1-2 tsp Guacamole/ avocado dip- ¼ cup

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the tacos as per the recipe. 2. Marinate the mock meat as listed above, and after a little resting time, saute it in 2 tsp oil in a non-stick pan for 4-6 mins until nice and dried up, keep aside. 3. Prepare the salsa for the tacos as listed above, heat oil and saute the ingredients in the pan one by one, allow the salsa to cook for 3-4 mins on a medium flame, turn off the flame and bring to room temperature, it can be stored in the fridge as well and used chilled/ as required. 4. Prepare all the toppings as well for the tacos/ choice of veggies additional ingredients to be added with the mock meat to be kept ready/ boiling/ blanching/ saute, etc., to be done ahead of time and kept handy. 5. Just before serving, the tacos need to be assembled. Start, with the cabbage and other dry ingredients, place the saute and cooked mock meat pieces, add in the salsa, sour cream, chilli sauce, olives, etc as desired and serve immediately.

Recipe-4] MOCK MEAT BURGER

Ingredients

Method

For the burger assembling: Burger bread- 2-3 buns, slit and applied butter Onion rings-1 cup Tomato slices- 1 cup Cucumber slices-1/2 cup Lettuce leaves- 1 cup Gherkin slices-2-3 no Salt and pepper to taste For the burger patty: Mock meat- 1 tin/ 400 gms approx. Add binding agents as desired to shape up the patty Salt and pepper to taste Mixed herbs/chilli flakes- to taste Chopped green chilli-1 tsp Coriander/parsley-2 tsp chopped Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp Chaat masala powder-1/4 tsp Cumin powder-1/4 tsp Cheese-2-3 tbsp. grated Oil- to fry For the topping sauce: Oil-2 tsp Garlic-1 tsp chopped Onion-2 tbsp. chopped Green chilli-1 tsp chopped Celery-2 tsp chopped Tomato ketchup-1/2 cup White vinegar-1 tsp Sugar-1/2 tsp Red chilli sauce- 1 tsp Water-2-3 tsp Cook the sauce above for 2-3 mins and keep aside.

1. Prepare all the components and elements of the burger as listed above one by one, and keep them ready. 2. Start with the burger patty and combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add seasonings, flavourings, binding agents, and shape up the burger tikki into a round shape and coating of bread crumbs followed by deep frying to a nice golden brown colour. 3. Prepare the tomato sauce as listed, as well and coat the fried patty with the sauce just before placing it on the burger bread during the assembly stage. 4. Slit the burger bread and lightly warm them up and apply a little butter or mayonnaise sauce, and place the lettuce leaves, slices of assorted veggies and place the burger patty as well. 5. Cover the burger and secure it with a toothpick to hold the ingredients in place. Also, fry up some crispy French fries to go along with the burger and start with the plating. We can also offer some coleslaw here with the burger and serve.

Recipe- 5] HEALTHY MOCK MEAT SOUP

Ingredients

Method

Olive oil/ oil- 2 tsp Garlic- 2 tsp chopped Onion-1 small chopped Green chilli-1 tsp chopped Potatoes- ½ cup, small cubes Zucchini- ¼ cup cubes Broccoli- ½ cup florets Carrots-1/4 cup, small cubes Boiled beans/ rajma/ tinned baked beans- ½ cup Celery-2-3 tsp chopped Tomato puree-1/2 cup Salt to taste Pepper powder to taste Mixed herbs-1/4 tsp Chilli flakes-1/4 tsp Water/ stock- 3-4 cups Macaroni pasta- ¼ cup Mock meat- 1 cup chunky pieces Grated cheese-2-3 tsp Coriander/ parsley-2-3 tsp chopped Roasted crushed peanuts-2-3 tsp Peanut butter-1-2 tsp Lime juice- 2 tsp

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the mock meat veggie soup. 2. To make the veg stock using carrots, onions, celery, bay leaf, peppercorns and water, simmer it for 8-10 mins and strain, use that liquid to make the soup. 3. To start up with the soup recipe, heat oil in a pan, add in the garlic, onions and saute for a few seconds. Add in the veggies, tomato puree, macaroni pasta and seasonings, herbs, chilli flakes to taste, add in the mock meat pieces and stir. 4. Add in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil, simmer the soup for 12-15 mins, check for seasonings and adjust the texture of the soup, add in the boiled/ tinned beans and simmer for 5-6 mins more and finally add in the peanut butter, mix and serve hot, garnish the soup with peanut soil and coriander/parsley and a drizzle of lime.

Recipe-6] SPICY MOCK MEAT CURRY

Ingredients

Method

Oil-2 tsp Lemon grass- 2-3 tbsp cut into 2-inch pieces Fresh basil leaves- 6-8 no Thai red chillies- 3-4 no Galangal/Thai ginger- 2 tbsp sliced Salt to taste Thai red curry paste-2-3 tsp Kaffir lime leaves- 3 -4 no Water-1 cup Coconut milk- 2 cups thick Brown sugar-1/2 tsp Assorted vegetables to choose from: Carrots- ¼ cup cubes Beans- ¼ cup cut Cauliflower/ broccoli- 1 cup florets Zucchini-1/4 cup cubes Babycorn- ¼ cup sliced Sweet potato -1/2 cup diced, blanched Assorted bell peppers- ½ cup cubed Sprouts-1 cup Mock meat- 1 cup chunky pieces Coriander leaves-2 tsp chopped Coconut cream- 2-3 tsp for garnish Roasted peanut powder-1-2 tsp for garnish To serve with- steamed white rice/ jasmine rice

1. Prepare all the ingredients as per the list and keep them handy. 2. To start with the cooking of the curry, heat oil in a pan add in the Thai flavourings, like galangal, lemon grass, basil, kaffir lime leaves, etc., and saute for a few seconds, add in the Thai curry paste and a little water and mix well. 3. Now add in the assorted veggies as desired and the mock meat, and allow to simmer. Add salt to taste. 4. Pour in the coconut milk and a little water and allow to simmer for 12-14 mins, add in the brown sugar and balance up the flavour of the curry. 5. Check for seasonings, adjust the consistency of the curry as desired and add a little corn flour slurry to thicken up a bit to get the desired thickness. 6. To serve the curry, we need to have some steamed/ boiled white rice or jasmine rice. Assemble the rice and serve the curry piping hot, garnish the curry with choice of ingredients.

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