Recipes Using TVP

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

Answers:

Recipes Using TVP

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.

• 2-1/2 c raw kidney beans
• 1 cup textured vegetable protein
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 4 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced
• 1-1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 2 cup fresh tomatoes
• juice of half a lemon
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• salt and pepper
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• dash of cayenne, if desired
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• olive oil for sauteing (about 3 Tbsp)

Put kidney beans in a saucepan and cover them with water. Soak them for three to four hours. Rinse and return to saucepan with fresh water and 1 tsp salt. Cook until tender (about one hour). Drain extra water off and set beans aside.

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

Recipes Using TVP

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

Recipes Using TVP

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

Recipes Using TVP

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

Recipes Using TVP

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

Recipes Using TVP

TVP is great stuff and it's dirt cheap. Try this recipe, it's a little plain but my kids love it.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups pasta, elbow macaroni dry
• 1 cup textured vegetable protein granules dry
• 3 tablespoons onion dried, minced
• 2 tablespoons parsley leaves dried
• 1 teaspoon oregano dried
• 1 teaspoon thyme dried
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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.

(03/01/2008)

By Lilly

Recipes Using TVP

I use TVP in chili and vegetable soup.

Chili

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 diced onion
• 1 28 oz can tomatoes
• 2 15 oz cans kidney beans, drained
• 1/2 cup TVP
• 1/4 cup chili powder

Saute onions. Add the remainder of ingredients. Simmer for at least two hours. The longer it simmers the better.

Soup

• 1/2 cup carrots
• 1/2 cup celery
• 1 onion diced
• fresh or canned green beans and corn(15 oz can)
• diced potatoes
• 1 15 oz can kidney beans
• 1 cup of cabbage or more
• 1 28 oz can tomatoes
• 3 15 oz cans vegetable broth

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

Recipes Using TVP

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

where to get it

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