Using Meat Substitutes, Made Easy

Who said going meatless means you must give up your favorite dishes? Most long-time vegetarians will tell you that you can convert many of your favorite dishes with vegetarian meat substitutes or replacements. Today, eating meatless has become easier than ever thanks to the availability of meat replacement options on the market.

Of course, meat replacements have come a long way since they were first introduced 20 years ago. It’s easy to fool even the biggest meat lover when using today’s meat substitutes. Meat substitutes are available in different forms and seasonings. From vegetarian beef strips to ground meat, to chicken nuggets to turkey sandwich slices, you should find it easy to enjoy your favorite dishes, including local Hawaiian cuisine, using meat replacements.

The best thing about it are the health benefits as these meat substitutes are made from plant proteins with substantially less fat, zero cholesterol, and the fiber which you cannot get from real meat. In this way you will be significantly reducing your risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Below is a list of various meat replacements that you can use in popular dishes, including some common local dishes. Most meat substitutes already come seasoned, but you can also season them with spices, sauces and other ingredients that you normally use in a certain meat dish.

Every Monday, take advantage of new Meatless Mondays, and save 40% off selected “Preferred Brand” meat substitutes. To be recognized as an "ALL VEGETARIAN Preferred Brand" at Down to Earth, the manufacturer must exclude meat and meat-based ingredients from its entire product range, and use natural, organic, and GMO-free ingredients. We will also be adding a Meatless Mondays page to our website, where people will be able to go for recipe ideas. (ALL-VEGETARIAN Preferred Brands are identified on the list below with an asterisk.)

To learn more about Down to Earth's Preferred Brands:

Vegetarian Laulau

Ingredients

• 3 ounces sweet potato, cut in 4 pieces
• 1/8 block tofu (about 2.5 ounces) or 1/3 cup Whitewave Traditional Seitan (marinated in tamari, sesame oil, and garlic)
• 1/4 cup fresh coconut in bite-sized pieces
• 1/8 cup Maui onion, diced
• 2-inch square piece aburage, quartered (deep-fried tofu pouches found in supermarkets that sell Japanese food)
• Pinch pepper
• 1 tsp. sea salt or Hawaiian salt
• 4 luau leaves
• 2 ti leaves

Directions

Wrap all ingredients in luau leaf, sprinkling some salt between the leaves. Wrap bundle in ti leaves. Steam for 2 hours. Source: http://archives.starbulletin.com/1999/09/15/features/index.html

Hawaiian Style Loco Moco

Ingredients

Rice

• Rice (depends on quantity desired – follow directions on package)
• Water

Gravy (or use Road’s End Organics* Gravy Mixes)

• ¼ cup butter or oil
• 1 cup garbanzo (chickpea) flour
• 1 tsp. basil
• ½ tsp. thyme
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 4 cups water
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 2-3 Tbsp. nutritional yeast

Hamburger

• 1-2 patties Gimme Lean Sausage or Boca Burger per person

Grilled Tofu or slice of Cheese (in place of egg)

• 1 slice of firm tofu per person
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. Cook rice 20-30 minutes before starting gravy, per instructions on package.
2. While waiting for rice, start gravy.
3. Combine first five ingredients, stirring constantly over medium-high heat until lightly toasted. You may have to mash it with the backside of a spoon.
4. When toasted, gradually add water, whisk constantly to prevent lumping.
5. When blended, add last gravy ingredients and continue stirring until mixture thickens to desired consistency. Or make gravy using Road’s End Organics* Gravy Mix as instructed on package.
6. Heat veggie burger as instructed on package.
7. Grill tofu in olive oil on skillet over medium heat until browned on both sides, sprinkle with salt to taste. Set aside.
8. Add rice to plate, top with veggie burger, grilled tofu or cheese, and cover with gravy. Enjoy!