Any vegetarians?

[XJLafonda]

Hey, well...let me start out like this. My girlfriend's a vegan. there.

NOW! She left to take classes in the neighboring state for five weeks, and while she was gone, I thought I might try out what it's like to be a vegetarian, maybe try the vegan approach, to better understand her. That, and before she left I promised I'd cook her dinner upon her return...this won't turn out well.

ANYWHO, I thought i'd try Tofu, as it is probably the one of the biggest things known to those who don't eat meat. And upon buying some...I found I don't know how to get the water out, and keep it from falling apart.

Anybody have any experience with tofu, that could help me out?

 

[98stocker]

Okay, if you got the plastic package with the tofu block surrounded by water, you just cut the plastic cover and pour out the water, then drop out the block. You don't need to worry about any residual water on or in the tofu block, as that will get evaporated when cooking.

You can cube it or crush it, but I like it sauted with onion, mushroom, parsley, and chicken flavor seasoning(they make vegetarian chicken flavor seasoning). Also, a bit of turmeric is good in that. Season to taste, it does take a lot.

Of course, that is kind of a breakfast dish, so that may not apply for your situation...

 

[RichP]

Go investigate Italian and crete cook books for vegen foods. They have some awsome receipies, hope she is not against cheeses though.

I went out with a vegan for a while before I got married, she treated it like a challenge and said 'I'm a vegatarian, what do you think about that' I just said that I have never met a vegatarian on 4 legs or a female on two that wasn't good to eat'. I guess it was a good answer...a year later I went in the navy and she got married to somebody else.

I don't do tofu, like decaf coffee and fake sweetner, why bother...

 

[XJLafonda]

No no! This works lovely! Thankyou!! I thought you had to squeeze any water out of the tofu. But that makes things soooo much easier, thankyou.

I'm just frying it with soy sauce right now! I'm getting used to the texture and all that jazz...any tips on frying it? Last time I tried it was still kinda gelatinous inside, but it was brown around the outside...any way to get a good cooked consistent texture throughout, or will it jsut take some getting used to?

 

[RichP]

Suggestions: Eggplant parm, stuffed shells, stuffed peppers, damn, I'm getting hungry..

 

[XJLafonda]

She doesn't eat any animal products. That's dairy, eggs, meat, and a lot of candies that contain think like Gluten, milk fat, gelatin, and stuff, as it's all animal products.

 

[woody]

I did a diet spell the in May that was pretty much veggie-only... very little dairy, only really lean beef & turkey a couple times a week: As close to zero fat intake as I could get. I like veggies and fruits so it isn't that difficult.

Getting "used to" Coffee-Mate non-dairy creamer & Sweet & Low was and remains probably the hardest part (that and cutting out Coca Cola & crunchy Cheetos)

Anyhow after a couple weeks on those rations, I was close to having to chase something down, then kill it & grill it! :chef:

Just Kidding! (barely) I have managed to stay away from dairy & other high-fat stuff... seemed to help, went from 180# down to below 160#. I don't think I could go full-on vegan by choice. Something would have to die & be eaten, possibly raw, and eaten alive if necessary. (I used to eat a fair bit of raw meat back before it was socially unacceptable.)

Good on ya though for trying out some new things. I don't fully 'get' the Vegan thing, but many wouldn't 'get' my beliefs & lifestyle either.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

with the tofu thats packed in water you take it out and wrap it in a couple paper towels, then set it in a bowl with a book on top of it to press out the water. then its easy to cube it up. try putting a little wok oil in a fying pan with some soy sauce and frying each side of the cubes brown. its good. or you could always just toss the cubes into a soup or something. tofu takes on the flavors of the food its in, it doesnt really have any taste on its own.go to www.foodnetwork.com and search the recipies for tofu. theres alot of good ones. my ex wife was a veg so i used to have to cook with it all the time.



but i will say this: vegetables are just what you feed animals to make them taste good

 

[XJLafonda]

How long do you need to let the tofu sit wrapped in a towel?

 

[nick86]

I say loose the chic. Any woman or man not willing to eat meat is gonna be high maintenance in life. I say ditch her and find a gal that likes a good ribeye. just my .02

 

[Narfxj]

I'm sorry but I have to say somthing. First its funny that you are becoming a vegetarian just for your girlfriend. THE P IS A POWERFUL THING!!!
Next your a man or atleast you where. Eat a big fat steak and enjoy.
Also just what I want to see on a jeep is a bumper sticker saying i'm a vegetarian. Poor Jeep.

 

[XJLafonda]

Haha, Thanks for the umm support guys, but this is my decision. And it's not just for my girlfriend. i've got a few veggie freinds who I'm doing it for as well...I said the whole "eat a steak" thing to them, but I'm gonna see what it's all about, and if i don't like it, than some baby backs are the first on my menu. But so far, it's been alright ^.^

 

[Fergie]

Ease in to it.

Cut out red meat, then chicken, then fish.

I'm not a vegitarian by a long shot, but I only have red meat once in a blue moon now.

Try gardenburgers and things of that nature. OTH, tofu hot dogs are quite tasty(save the snide comments) with enough relish.

Also, go to your local health foods store, and see what kind of dishes they have in their deli. Our local one in Flagstaff had some good tofu ruebens, and a few Indian dishes too.

 

[red_01_xj]

My family is mostly vegitarian...my brother is a vegan and my sister is a vegiterian, my mom and dad will only eat meat 2-3 times a month...Im used to the vegiatrian cooking, but will not and can not sand any thing that is fake meat, tofu, or spose to be a meat subistute. I will however eat the true veggy meals such as veggitable lazana and a big bowl of stemmed veggies for dinner...

if it spose to taste like meat just give me the real thing...if not then im ok with it

 

[98XJSport]

if it spose to taste like meat just give me the real thing...if not then im ok with it

I was just thinking the same thing. Why take non meat products, and try to make them taste as much like meat as possible? Kind of defeats the purpose...

Mostly carnivore, myself. Lots of lean meats, with the occasional veggie filler or both mixed together. Lived the shoot it and eat it lifestyle all my life, the only veggies we really got were what came out of the garden. For those that don't know theres not a lot that will grow enough here to support a family unless you have a huge garden. Tomatoes, cucumbers, corn and potatoes are about it.

 

[woody]

Kill it & grille it
:chef:

If it wasn't made out of meat, it would stand still and become a pet

and then ya can eat it when times get tough

 

[GrimmJeeper]

How long do you need to let the tofu sit wrapped in a towel?

about 20-30 mins.

 

[XJLafonda]

Thanks Grimm!! Does it need to be sliced before you wrap it?

 

[GrimmJeeper]

nope

 

[ECKSJAY]

All the vegans I encountered working in Seattle were bitter, sad Lieberals with angry attitudes. I used to bring BBQ pork to work or dove breast soup made from little feathered bastards I blasted out of the sky myself.

Rage would ensue and they'd nearly pass out from their lack of energy.

:rattle: