I'm interested in trying textured vegetable protein (TVP) flakes. I already use the Morningstar Farms and Boca Burger brands, but thought maybe the flakes might give me a little more bang for my buck. Does anyone know if there's a standard conversion, like a cup of flakes (before adding water) will equal 1lb. of ground beef?
By Jessica from Waukesha, WI
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TVP comes in flakes and small chunks. I have used in spagetti, chilli, tacos, meatloaf, hamburgure helper. When a receipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef I use about 1/4 pound and take a cerel bowl and put the small chunks (I like those) and cover with warm water. When I'm making chilli, spagetti and the like I let this set while my ground beef is cooking. Then when the meat is cooked I add the TVP to the meat mixture and brown just a little more letting the fat absorb a little (keeps the flavor). My huband has never noticed the difference and I have never told him. He has high cholestrol and high blood pressure and sneaks fried chicken so I combat his "habit" the best I can. In my spagetti and meat loaf I also grind up a little carrot very fine. I sneak in these items and he does not have a clue.
I've never tried to convert for beef, just sort of do it by "feel". My daughter is vegetarian, and the TVP is a great substitute for ground meat. I jsut make the base recipe up to the point where I would add meat. Then I set aside a portion for her and add the reconstituted TVP, and add the meat for the rest of us. If my husband is not home, I just give us all the TVP. It is not the same as the meat, but is quite good. It takes on the flavor of whatever you mix it with.
If you are unsure about amount (as it varies by size of the "pieces" of TVP and the grade of ground beef that you use), next time you cook ground beef, measure the yield after it is cooked and drained; then mix about a cup of TVP per package directions and see how it compares.
TVP is much cheaper at a bulk food store or a health food store than at the grocery store.
Vegetarian sloppy joes are perfect for vegetarian or vegan kids! Sloppy joes are fun (and messy!) to eat, and kids love them for lunch, picnics or dinner. This vegetarian sloppy joes recipe is made from TVP (textured vegetable protein) instead of meat and is both vegetarian and vegan.
Ingredients:
* 2-3 tbsp olive oil
* 1 onion, diced
* 1 green or red bell pepper, diced
* 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
* 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
* 1 tbsp chili powder
* 1 tbsp soy sauce
* dash hot sauce or Tabasco sauce (optional)
* 1 tbsp sugar
* 1 1/2 cups T.V.P
* salt and pepper to taste
* 5-6 hamburger buns
Preparation:
In a large skillet, saute the onion and peppers in olive oil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onions are soft.
Reduce heat to medium low and add the remaining ingredients (except buns) and stir well to combine. Allow to simmer for at least 15 more minutes.
Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve hot.
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You use equal parts water/flavored broth to the TVP
The richer the broth the better the flavor. I use different kinds flavors, BBQ sauce
Just experiment and have fun seeing what you come up with.
I've successfully used TVP "discretly" for over fifteen years and to this day my family still doesn't know.
Reconstitute TVP with boiling water in equal amounts and allow to sit about 10 minutes before adding to the meat. Note: 1/2 cup dry TVP after reconstituting TVP equals one pound of hamburger.
Recipes calling for 1lb hamburger in "loose" forms such as casseroles, spaghetti, chili, tacos, sloppy joes I use 1/2 cup of dry TVP. I fry hamburger, drain, & rinse the with boiling water as I need to decrease the fat content as much as possible. I freeze loose 2 cups which then equals one pound of hamburger. It is such a blessing to have the meat prepped to quickly assemble a recipe.
For patties, meatballs, & meatloaf I use 1/4 cup of dry TVP, thereby extending one pound amounts to give me 1 1/2 pounds of "meat". I do use ground round since again I'm need to have less fat. I go ahead and shape and freeze these type of meals raw; unthaw in refrigerator when I need to use, and proceed from there.
When I stumble upon a great sale I have a hamburger prep day, fry/freeze in 2 cup portions OR "goosh" into the needed shapes and freeze. I can't hardly recall doing it any other way, a huge time and dollar saver.
I would suggest you start with something that is a family favorite that is easier to "hide" when introducing such as casserole, spaghetti, &/or chili or meatballs or meatloaf as you are already adding bread or cracker crumbs for example. I can't even find it in there myself and I know it is in there!
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I have 6 kids and I need to start trying to shave my grocery bill even more. It has been suggested that I consider supplementing meat recipes with TVP (textured vegetable protein). I remember my mom using that as a kid, but not very much.
Are there any recipes that I can use. My kids range in age from 11 yrs to 5 months old. These recipes need to be kid-friendly, fast, and "discreet", meaning I don't want my kids to suddenly become picky-eaters because of something "weird" they find in their food. Any help? Thanks in advance.
Imama2many from UT
Here's a recipe for vegetarian chili which is wonderful. I've served it at church and school functions, and it is always gone quickly. I am amazed at the number of meat eaters that really like this chili recipe.
Heat tomato juice to a boil. Pour over textured vegetable protein. Cover and let stand at least 15 minutes. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil. Add carrots and cook until tender. Mix all ingredients together and heat through.
Serve with cheese and parsley. (01/09/2008)
By Tina from Ashland
If you mix it 50/50 kids will like it, we used it all the time in the school cafeteria that I worked in, and they didn't know the difference. Also, to the ones who were wanting to know where to buy it, if you have any Amish grocery stores near you they sell it there, I buy it all the time and it is cheap. (01/10/2008)
By Peggy
Sally Fallon's recipe book, "Nourishing Traditions" does not recommend it because it is processed, has lost many of its natural nutrients, and then is flavored with chemical flavorings. (01/10/2008)
By Coreen Hart
Try the book called "Deceptively Delicious", it is written by Jerry Seinfeld's wife, I think her name is Jessica. You and all your kids will love the recipes.
Good Luck
Donna from Victoria B.C. (01/10/2008)
By donna
Any way you can cook crumbled hamburger or sausage, you can substitute TVP. You can go half and half like suggested, then change the proportion to 1/4 meat and 3/4 TVP. After a while, you can go all TVP. Rehydrate the TVP in water or broth. Then fry it with seasonings in a skillet. I like taco seasoning, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning, chili powder, curry powder, brown gravy mix, etc. I even make "sausage" for breakfast burritos with TVP. Soak the TVP in chicken broth, then fry it with a little oil, some beef bouillon, sage, salt and pepper. Even my die-hard meat eater hubby likes it. (01/13/2008)
By samaree
TVP is great stuff and it's dirt cheap. Try this recipe, it's a little plain but my kids love it.
Ingredients
Directions: Combine all ingredients, and store in an sir-tight jar or plastic
bag.
Attach these instructions: To prepare, pour one 28-oz can
tomatoes with juice into a large skillet or saucepan. Crush the tomatoes, add 2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and TVP Skillet Mix. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if necessary. If you like, add 1 cup frozen peas during last 5 minutes of cooking.
By Lilly
I use TVP in chili and vegetable soup.
Chili
Saute onions. Add the remainder of ingredients. Simmer for at least two hours. The longer it simmers the better.
Soup
Saute onions in olive oil. Add the remainder of ingredients and simmer for a couple of hours.
Hope that helps, Celia
(03/04/2008)
By Celia
All the comments on how expensive TVP is only correct if you shop in expensive specialty store. I buy mine in the bulk section of both of the local chain grocery stores. Very in expensive. (12/17/2008)
By Leslee in Alaska
I buy mine from the Asian grocery, Its in the vegetarian section and only has the label "Thit Chay" (Vietnamese I think) but its great, and like $2 per lb or something. (02/19/2009)
By inti
I recently bought some TVP (textured vegetable protien). Does any one have some good recipes with this in place of meat? We are not vegetarians, just trying to reduce the cost of meat in our meals.
Thanks so much,
Barb from Fairview, MI
I purchased one of Linda McCarty's cookbooks & it's great. The recipes are practical & easy. She used a lot of TVP and veggie patties etc. Her cookbooks are pretty cheap now too. (02/27/2006)
By Me
I have been a veggie and my DD 12, is now. I use it to make Tacos, Nachos, Chili, Sloppy Joe's,
etc. I use it basically like I would hamburger. TVP is one of those products that some is OK and others isn't so good. Seems to me some has a rubbery texture to it while others actually has a texture very similar to hamburger. Good Luck and have fun with it! (02/27/2006)
By Robin
You can make Sloppy Joe's, tacos, lasagna, or in just about anything to replace ground meat. I believe you need to soak it in boiling water first to re-hydrate it. Here's one place to start: http://waltonfeed.com/self/tvp.html Good luck! (02/27/2006)
By Maryeileen
My old technique came from Linda McCartney's first cookbook. She recommended browning it in a skillet before hydrating. I brown it in a hot skillet with just a quick toss around. I used it for years as a vegetarian substitute for hamburger. Works well in any saucy dish like tacos, chili, or pasta sauce. Also works great mixed with hamburger. Mix half and half after hydrating the TVP and browning the hamburger. (02/27/2006)
By Lou
I never had any luck with TVP at home, yet had it at restaurants and went back for seconds.
Sautéing it before re-hydrating seems like a good idea. Will have to try it. (02/27/2006)
By Holly
I soak TVP in hot water first. Then I brown it with a little olive oil. I like to add a bit of beef bouillon and Mrs Grass Smokey Chipotle Seasoning for tacos and nachos. I make fake sausage by adding a little chicken bouillon and a little beef bouillon, some pepper and some sage. Use TVP in hamburger helper type boxed meals - stroganoff, cheeseburger macaroni, lasagne. Add some to meatloaf, meatballs and hamburgers. (02/27/2006)
By samaree
I use TVP almost every time I cook with ground beef. After browning ground beef I just sprinkle on the TVP (I started with a little a then started using more until I found a ratio of meat to TVP that my family liked) and then added whatever seasonings/sauces I normally use (spaghetti sauce, taco seasoning, etc.) and just add a little extra liquid for the TVP to absorb. If I'm making something without browning the meat first (hamburgers, meatloaf, etc.) then I just mix in the TVP with the uncooked ground beef and make sure I add some extra moisture to the mix so it doesn't end up dry when cooked.
I found my family doesn't like it when I use only TVP in a recipe, but we can stretch our budget by using about half TVP and half meat in any ground beef recipe and it still tastes great. (02/28/2006)
By Trix
I haven't used it myself yet, but have read that first time users should start out by mixing it 50/50 with their ground meats. I have read that it will take on the flavor of the meat this way.
(02/28/2006)
Could you tell me when you find TVP? In a health food store or a regular supermarket? Thanks in advance! (02/28/2006)
By Rebekah
Rebekah: I buy my TVP at the Bulk Barn (a bulk food store) and it's really cheap! You can also find it at health food stores. (02/28/2006)
By Trix
You can also find it in the frozen food section of many grocery stores/supermarkets. Morning Star Farms have is one brand with a lot of items and there are even (frozen) Crumbles, but I can't remember who they are made by. Maybe Green Giant? I'm not sure if the grocery stores sell dried TVP. (02/28/2006)
By Maryeileen
Hi, thanks to all those gals out there who answered me. I ran into sort of a problem but fixed it. Let me explain, I bought a 50 pound bag of chunks ans so many recipes call for smaller cuts. I took a cup and reconstituted it with water and used my handy food processor to chop it up. Works great. Thanks again. (03/02/2006)
By Barb Oakes
