Make TVP into Mock Buffalo Chicken and Mock Ribs

Make TVP into Mock Buffalo Chicken and Mock Ribs
by Eurydice Jines

TVP is a really versatile soy product. It is one of the best meat replacement products I found to date. It really does taste like meat when prepared in many ways. It is derived from the soybean. There is evidence however that too much soy intake is not good for you. For the most part people seem to warn against direct soy supplementation as opposed to soy foods. But, anything in excess is not healthy. Soy is known to have chemical compounds that once ingested in high doses can cause problems in the body. The same hormones present in soy that are said to be good for women, can be too much for a weak thyroid. So, moderation like anything is key. But, this is only my opinion and you have to do what's right for you.

For me, I use TVP in moderation and enjoy some of my favorite mock meat dishes from time to time.

Here are some great recipes using TVP. If you're a vegetarian who's really missing meat, these recipes will really come in handy. They really have a meat like flavor and I find them enjoyable on their own as a meal even today.

Mock Buffalo Chicken:
*Grab however many slices of TVP shaped to look like chicken breasts you want to prepare
*Boil Water (enough to cover the amount of TVP by 1/2 inch)
*Season the water with a little bit of buffalo wing sauce from the grocery store. The water should be pink. This is the tricky part. You don't want to flavor the water too heavily. Just slightly. This way you can season the TVP later to taste. The TVP is very absorbent and too much seasoning or sauce in the water can make it too salty. Too little will make it bland.
*Soak the TVP in the water overnight.
*Drain of the water, and saute TVP in a little oil and a normal amount of buffalo wing sauce. You want to make it taste like your ideal of buffalo wings. Some people like a lot of sauce, some like a little. It's all about personal preference.

Mock Pork Ribs:
*Grab however many slices of TVP shaped to look like chicken breasts you want to prepare
*Boil Water (enough to cover the amount of TVP by 1/2 inch)
*Season the water with a little bit of Jack Daniel's barbecue sauce from the grocery store. When you go to the store to buy it, make sure you buy 2 different varieties. Each flavor is subtly different, so you want to make sure you get one you like. Some I find to be too vinegary; others are right on point.
*It is important that you get Jack Daniel's barbecue sauce, unless you know of a better one. I have not found another sauce that will give my food a better barbecue flavor.
The water should be pale brown. This is the tricky part. You don't want to flavor the water too heavily. Just slightly. This way you can season the TVP later to taste. The TVP is very absorbent and too much seasoning or sauce in the water can make it too salty. Too little will make it bland.
*Soak the TVP in the water overnight.
*Drain of the water, and saute TVP in a little oil and a normal amount of Jack Daniel's barbecue sauce. You want to make it taste like your ideal of pork ribs. Some people like a lot of sauce, some like a little. It's all about personal preference.