Do any of you use Vege Mince?

recovering_spendaholic

I am trying to cut down on red meat and have experimented with Quorn, which I have to say I found to be not nice at all, but now I have bought some realeat vege mince. I don't know how to cook it to make it nice and wondered if any of you use it on a regular basis and if it is nice? I also bought some Batchelors Beanfeasts but found that they gave me indigestion!!

blushred2

Hi

I too have used Beanfeast and agree although it was tasty enough, gave me indigestion too.
I use TVP from Sainsburys, its approx 55p and its rather nice. I add it to stews, lasagne and make a chilli with it.

tankgirl1

ive just started using vege meat substitutes - i have used the dried soya mince from holland and barratts to make chilli, spag bol etc, and its lovely. i just soak it in some water, and then chuck it in the sauce, with a couple of beefy stock cubes...

havent used the realeat stuff though, so not sure how you cook it- sorry

Gingham_Ribbon

The morrisons frozen veggie mince cooks up like ordinary mince and absorbs the flavours you cook it with well. It's juicy and tasty and no indigestion. But it's a bit dearer than TVP. I think it's worth it as I don't use it much. (Nice for bolognaise occasionally.)

helen81_2

I use realeat alot..I just bung it straight into liquid(gravy or chopped toms ect...) and simmer on the hob for 10 mins..I like it but I know some who don't like it.

Helen x

QueenB.

I have been using the realeat mince for years and the whole family enjoy it.

We use it in chilli and spog bog, cottage pie a few other things as well. As the poster above said just add it to a liquid and then simmer for 10/15 minutes. It soaks up the flavours and i have never had any complaints from guests who i have made it for. But as with all things it comes down to personal taste as we love Quorn aswell:D

lady_fuschia

Its a matter of taste obviously, but I find the realeat mince has a lot more flavour than the quorn stuff. Tesco also do their own vegemince which isn't too bad. TVP is much cheaper, but it seems to need a bit more flavour adding in the form of stock, spices etc- I use it in chillis a lot. I get mine from an organic shop in Brighton and it seems to be nicer than Sainsbury's own.

I think its best if you fry it a minute or two in sunflower oil before adding liquid (though you have to keep stirring or it sticks to the pan).
I tend to make mine last a bit longer by using half vegemince or TVP and half lentils in Bolognese and Shepherds Pie type things. Only you have to remember not to add stock or salt until the lentils are already soft.

redsetter03

My hubby`s veggie, so things like cottage pie have to be made from something we will all eat!
I do use Quorn for cottage pies and bolognases- daughter didn`t even know, and i must admit, the only diference i could tell, was that the recipes don`t come out `greasy` anymore.
I find using dolmio and such like- well known, tasty sauces- seem to be able to disguise the fact i`m not using meat..

greenmummy_2

My hubbie is veggie, so we use Realeat Vege Mince a lot - mostly for spaghetti bolognese (we find it's tastiest if you let it simmer for ages - with tinned toms, herbs, wine, splash of balsamic vinegar etc); chilli; cottage pie; stuffed peppers (mix vege mince with cooked rice, onions, etc, put in half pepper, top with cheese, bake).

Has anyone tried making burgers with vege mince?

oops_a_daisy

I have used Quorn mince for years in spag bog, chilli con carni and mince & mash I just make sure that enough flavouring is added to the Quorn to give it some taste

sorry to take over the thread but can anybody recommend the best veggie sausages ? I used to get some frozen ones years ago by Birds Eye but they stopped making them

cats_whiskers

Hi

I use Quorn mince quite a lot as both me and OH are veggie. Mostly use it for making enchilladas. I have found with the Quorn mince that you do have to flavour it up a bit as it can be quite bland especially if you are used to eating meat mince. Although thanks for the suggestions re the other brands, I might just have to give them a go.

Would also recommend Cauldron Foods veggie sausages, they do a few different types, ie. Lincolnshire. I have just taken some out of the freezer this morning so that I can make toad in the hole for tonights dinner. Have also tried Linda McCartney ones, they are OK for a BBQ or a sausage sandwich. Although would be interesting to know if anyone else has tried any other brands.

Cheers
Cats.