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 analogs, 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 the 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, which is made from ingredients that 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. 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. 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 centered on plenty of wholes, 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

fiber. 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.

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:

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 chilies- 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

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the recipe as listed.

2. Slice the brinjal and apply 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, chili 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:

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 chili 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 cup, 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

Method:

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 chili powder, coriander

powder.

3. Saute the mixture well, add little water and cook for 2-3 mins on a

low flame, as the oil start leaving the sides, add in kasuri methi, the

cashew, curd, 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 little fried coriander/ parsley and serve

hot.

Recipe-3] MOCK MEAT TACOS

Ingredients:

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 chili 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 chili-1 tsp chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Tomato sauce-2-3 tsp

White vinegar-1 tsp

Sugar-1/2 tsp

Chili 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

Chili sauce- few drizzles

Sour cream-1-2 tsp

Guacamole/ avocado dip- ¼ cup

Method:

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 into 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, chili sauce, olives etc as

desired and serve immediately.

Recipe-4] MOCK MEAT BURGER

Ingredients:

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/ chili flakes- to taste

Chopped green chili-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 chili-1 tsp chopped

Celery-2 tsp chopped

Tomato ketchup-1/2 cup

White vinegar-1 tsp

Sugar-1/2 tsp

Red chili sauce- 1 tsp

Water-2-3 tsp

Cook the sauce above for 2-3 mins and keep aside.

Method:

1.Prepare all the components and elements of the burger as listed

above one by one and keep ready.

2. Start up with the burger patty and combine all the ingredients in a

mixing bowl add seasonings, flavorings, 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 color.

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 in order 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:

Olive oil/ oil- 2 tsp

Garlic- 2 tsp chopped

Onion-1 small chopped

Green chili-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

Chili 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

Method:

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, chili 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:

Oil-2 tsp

Lemon grass- 2-3 tbsp. cut into 2 inch pieces

Fresh basil leaves- 6-8 no

Thai red chilies- 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

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients as per the list and keep it handy.

2. To start with the cooking of the curry, heat oil in a pan add in the

thai flavorings 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 flavor 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 the jasmine rice. Assemble the rice and serve the curry piping

hot, garnish the curry with choice of ingredients.