I am discouraged. This has been a difficult weekend for me to be meatless. Mostly because I've seen and smelled delicious meat all weekend. But my payoff was going to be dinner tonight. I found a recipe for a meatless meatloaf that actually won second place in a meat loaf cookoff! This was super encouraging so I thought SURELY this would be a winner! The main ingredient is something called "Textured Vegetable Protein" which is not only supposed to be a great source or protein, but also super meat like in texture and consistency. I made a trip to Whole Food, purchased some TVP, and was supremely optimistic. I couldn't wait to serve my masterpiece and just knew my family was going to write a song about me and I was going to be a hero! The stuff of legend! A delicious meatless meatloaf!
The only thing I did differently when making this dish was using a real egg instead of egg substitute. I can't believe THAT made any difference! I shaped it into a loaf (well, loaf-ish shape anyhow) and baked it as directed. What came out of the oven was pretty much like a big pile of brown rice - seasonded like meatloaf. As brown rice was one of the other main ingredients, I'm wondering if something went wrong there. I slopped it on to the dinner plates with significantly diminished enthusiasm. My husband and daughter ate it (my husband appeared to like it) and both were gracious enough to keep their opinions to themselves. Well, except when I heard Holly snicker under her breath "That? Is supposed to resemble meat?"
I'm not giving up. I've actually TASTED a meatless meatloaf that was delicous. I know it can be done. This is now my quest. There is no way what I pulled out of the oven tonight could win ANY contest, much less a meatloaf cookoff. Well, maybe it could win a "This does not taste like grapefruit" contest because that's about the only thing I can say about it for certain.
In other, more positive news, I've received several reports about mung beans and now know where they can be purchased. I'd be more excited about it if my dinner had turned out a little better.
well that answers my question about whether I should ask for the recipe...I will wait for the "second" installment if there is going to be one LOLOL...and it makes me proud that the family didn't barf and gag...leave the table insulted that you would serve such...you raised them right LOL..or so it seems...and hubby has a wonderful love affair going with you for sure LOLOL..hopefully they didn't sneak out later for a mcdonalds or wendy's LOL????? hang tough girl...you can do this...at least I think you can...why you are doing it...??? well who am I to question??? LOLOLOL...happy day...hugs..Ora
ReplyDeleteI've had a few of those "This doesn't taste like grapefruit" meals myself...without even going vegan.
ReplyDeleteStill waiting breathlessly for a report on the aforementioned mungs.