Has anyone eaten Tofurky before?

[Darwin333]

Why the hell would I want to do something dumb like that?

 

[pcgeek11]

Let me guess, you ate the plain Tofu straight up last time didn't you?

Nope. Never had it and never will.

Yes, I'm close minded about my food. It looks like a tasteless brick of quivering goop.

I only eat real meat and veggies.

 

[whm1974]

Nope. Never had it and never will.

Yes, I'm close minded about my food. It looks like a tasteless brick of quivering goop.

I only eat real meat and veggies.

Would you try Tempeh?
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-tempeh-3376821

 

[whm1974]

OK I decided to go ahead and buy a Tofurky roast and cook it in my slow cooker with some veggies. Any good ideas on making a basting liquid to baste the roast with?

 

[Crono]

OK I decided to go ahead and buy a Tofurky roast and cook it in my slow cooker with some veggies. Any good ideas on making a basting liquid to baste the roast with?

Olive oil, soy sauce, and chopped fresh or dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, and/or chives) would work well

 

[whm1974]

Olive oil, soy sauce, and chopped fresh or dried herbs (aromatics) would work well

Thanks. I would like to use a dark beer or dark rum in the basting liquid but I can't have booze in my apartment(HUD rules). Maybe use a mushroom sauce or broth instead?

 

[pcgeek11]

Would you try Tempeh?
https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-tempeh-3376821

Reading the link that could be OK. It certainly looks nice in the picture.

 

[whm1974]

Reading the link that could be OK. It certainly looks nice in the picture.

I never had it, but I would try it to see if I like it.

 

[Crono]

I never had it, but I would try it to see if I like it.

It's good. Has a unique nutty flavor. Great in sandwiches, wraps, rice dishes, and noodles. Cooks quickly, too. I almost always have tofu (as versatile as egg, depending on firmness) or tempeh in the fridge. Tempeh is less processed, tastier, and better for you than tofu, but I still use tofu because it's so versatile (and cheaper than tempeh).

Tofu doesn't much flavor on its own, so it's used better in smoothies (silken tofu), sauce or curry-rich dishes where you are highlighting other flavors, scrambles, soups (I use it often in miso soup, and other Japanese dishes), etc. I also use it often to replace paneer in Indian dishes or the chicken in tikka masala, or general Tso.

 

[whm1974]

It's good. Has a unique nutty flavor. Great in sandwiches, wraps, rice dishes, and noodles. Cooks quickly, too. I almost always have tofu (as versatile as egg, depending on firmness) or tempeh in the fridge. Tempeh is less processed, tastier, and better for you than tofu.

Tofu doesn't much flavor on its own, so it's used better in smoothies (silken tofu), sauce or curry-rich dishes where you are highlighting other flavors, scrambles, soups, etc. I also use it often to replace paneer in Indian dishes or the chicken in tikka masala, or general Tso.

I guess I'll be buying some tempeh along with the Tofurky roast.

 

[Crono]

I guess I'll be buying some tempeh along with the Tofurky roast.

Make sure you slice and chop it into ~1/2" or slightly smaller pieces or cubes (or thin slices if you are using in a sandwich), and lightly fry/sautee it. It doesn't take very long to cook it, it's done once you've browned it a bit on all sides. I like to use a little soy sauce (tamari) on it after that and toss before seasoning it for whatever dish it's going in.

 

[whm1974]

Make sure you slice and chop it into ~1/2" or slightly smaller pieces or cubes (or thin slices if you are using in a sandwich), and lightly fry/sautee it. It doesn't take very long to cook it, it's done once you've browned it a bit on all sides. I like to use a little soy sauce (tamari) on it after that and toss before seasoning it for whatever dish it's going in.

Thanks. I'm going to have to buy a better brand of soy sauce then the cheap ones I usually buy. Kikkiman's maybe?

 

[Crono]

Thanks. I'm going to have to buy a better brand of soy sauce then the cheap ones I usually buy. Kikkiman's maybe?

Kikkoman's tamari is okay. My preferred brand is San-J. Their tamari or shoyu isn't too expensive. I never tried higher end soy sauces, but they can get expensive. There's an endless variety of soy sauces out there, much like hot sauces, beer, or wine (similar process of aging goes on because it's a fermented product).

 

[whm1974]

Kikkoman 's tamari is okay. My preferred brand is San-J. Their tamari or shoyu isn't too expensive I never tried higher end soy sauces, but they can get expensive. There's an endless variety of soy sauces out there, much like beer or wine.

Yeah I doubt I would ever buy the top dollar stuff unless it's for cooking the much nicer stuff then what I usually cook. Maybe something for the holidays?

 

[Crono]

Yeah I doubt I would ever buy the top dollar stuff unless it's for cooking the much nicer stuff then what I usually cook. Maybe something for the holidays?

Yeah, I use soy sauce too frequently (not just for Asian dishes; it's a good way to add savory aka "umami" flavor, among others) to buy something like an aged, $33 a bottle artisanal soy sauce except for something special or on rare occasion.

I have to try some variety, though. I'm more into Japanese soy sauces, haven't really tried Chinese or other east Asian ones, except in restaurants. I've never tried liquid aminos, either, which is similar to soy sauce.

I need to start a soy sauce thread for recommendations. 😛

 

[WelshBloke]

I REALLY dislike any vegetarian options that attempt to mimic meat. They are doomed to failure from the start. Vegetarian options should be celebrated as the unique preparations they are. Lose all the fake burgers, dogs, turkey, lunch meat, and cheese. They're all crap compared to the original.

I'm going with the above! Meatless meatburgers are horrible, but a decent nut or bean burger can be pretty good.

Thanks. I would like to use a dark beer or dark rum in the basting liquid but I can't have booze in my apartment(HUD rules).

Eh! That doesn't sound civilised or reasonable at all!

 

[walrus]

I really like the Tofuturkey Original Italian Sausage. I find the TufuTurkey turkey substitute too tough, but its gravy and stuffing is great.

 

[sdifox]

Tofu is already a cooked product, all you should do is maybe heat it up, so how does a tofuturkey work? Raw stuffing? 😱

 

[whm1974]

I really like the Tofuturkey Original Italian Sausage. I find the TufuTurkey turkey substitute too tough, but its gravy and stuffing is great.

I think you are suppose to baste the roast with something before putting it in the oven or slow cooker.

 

[MrSquished]

I don't find the one size fits all rule that all meatless meat substitutes are bad. Maybe where you live, but up here in civilized NYC we have so many talented chefs per capita that they do wonderful things with meat substitutes. Of course there are the bad as well but there is certainly no one size fits all rule like so many proclaim.

 

[whm1974]

I'm going with the above! Meatless meatburgers are horrible, but a decent nut or bean burger can be pretty good.




Eh! That doesn't sound civilised or reasonable at all!

I just brought some some Simple Truth brand meatless patties from Ruler Foods last night, a bit dense but does taste like meat and taster then cheapo frozen hamburger patties I use to buy.

Well the apartments I live in is run by a non-profit agency that provides treatment for those with Alcohol and drug problems as well as folks with mental illnesses. They get a HUD grant for the apartments, so hence the no booze or illegal drugs rules.

 

[whm1974]

Tofu is already a cooked product, all you should do is maybe heat it up, so how does a tofuturkey work? Raw stuffing? 😱

It is made with vital wheat gluten as well and yes the stuffing is raw. My guess it is partly cooked enough to form the roast itself but not fully.

 

[whm1974]

I don't find the one size fits all rule that all meatless meat substitutes are bad. Maybe where you live, but up here in civilized NYC we have so many talented chefs per capita that they do wonderful things with meat substitutes. Of course there are the bad as well but there is certainly no one size fits all rule like so many proclaim.

I had some black bean patties that while not tasting anything like meat are at least quite decent enough in their own right.

And the Morningstar mushroom patties I've had do taste like good meat as did the Simple Truth meatless patties I just had this morning if a bit dense.

I think with Tofu and vital wheat gluten and mushrooms, decent cooks at least , could do wonders with.

 

[sdifox]

It is made with vital wheat gluten as well and yes the stuffing is raw. My guess it is partly cooked enough to form the roast itself but not fully.

Wtf is vital weat gluten? That ain't tofu at all.

 

[whm1974]

Wtf is vital weat gluten? That ain't tofu at all.

Gluten is the main protein in wheat. It's also the stuff that allows for bread to rise.