Every heard of TVP? It stands for textured vegetable protein.
Sounds kinda weird and maybe gross right? But give it a chance! In this economy a seriously cheep high protein substitute is a good thing right?? It's under $3 a bag, and the bag could feed a large family for at least 2 full dinners if not more. Plus it's tasty!
It looks like some kind of dehydrated grain... then when you hydrate it... it looks like light tan ground beef... I'm making you want to try it right? Hmmm marketing skills not kicking in... Ok how about a picture of it in action?
whole wheat gnochi with TVP red sauce and portobellosPortobello Pasta with "meat" TVP sauce
recipe by me. (Feeds John and me, that means three normal people, with sauce left over)
1 package whole wheat gnocchi
1 bottle (1 lb 8 oz) Diavola Red Sauce from Wegmans (or your favorite go to sauce)
1 cup TVP (I use Bob's Red Mill TVP)
1 cup boiling water (to hydrate TVP)
3 large portobello mushrooms sliced
2 tsp chopped garlic
olive oil spray
cottage cheese (if you are John or if you like to mix it into your pasta too)
Boil water for gnocchi.
Microwave 1 cup water in a medium size bowl or large pyrex cup for 2-3 minutes. Remove and add 1 cup TVP, let soak for 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Set aside.
Spray a wok, or large sauce pan, with olive oil, saute garlic until brown. Add mushrooms and cook through, flipping after a minute or two to cook the other side. Add jar of sauce and TVP. Simmer until heated through.
Once water boils, add gnocchi and cook according to package directions (4 minutes). Drain, and immediatly divide between 2 or 3 bowls, top with sauce, stir in cottage cheese if desired. Serve.
Chow!
What a great idea for a Lenten Friday meal. By this time of the season, I'm usually scraping the bottom of the barrel for new meatless ideas that my carnivorous husband will enjoy. This looks great! I've heard of TVP, but never tried it ... sounds like a perfect way to do so. Thanks, Steph!
ReplyDeleteAs for the cottage cheese, I sometimes like to add a scoop of low-fat ricotta cheese to my pasta ... so I'm down with that too. :)
Oh man, I could totally go either way on that. On the one hand, a grain that makes a successful substitute is so exciting. On the other, I don't usually like ground beef.
ReplyDeleteEither way, what a great tip! Would TVP work as a hamburger substitute?
oh that DOES look like meat - and looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteTVP looks like an interesting ingredient and the pasta sounds very yummy!
ReplyDeleteI used to eat that a lot, since I don't eat meat. I have been slacking on my protein lately. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeletenever even heard of TVP!! But... love pasta, love pasta sauce, and need more protein in my life... sounds perfect!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try and make your bread recipe from last week this Saturday or Sunday... I've been daydreaming about it all week! :)
Diva- Peal - 5 star - Maria- I hope you ladies all like it as much as I did!
ReplyDeleteAleta- I'm going to try it mixed with some beans and worshteshire (totally not spelling that right and don't feel like looking it up haha) sauce among other things to make them a more beefy burger, I'll let you know how it goes!
Sarah- I can't wait to hear how you like the bread! And totally give the TVP a try :)
I rarely buy TVP, but that's mostly because I can't figure out what to do with it other than throw it into chili. You're right though, it's very economical... Maybe I should give it another look, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting product. Thanks for the review. I'll let you know if I get brave! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the mushrooms in this. They're a great way to make TVP and other meat replacements way more flavorful.
ReplyDeleteHehe I have a love hate relationship with TVP. When it comes out of the packet I am convinced that it is cardboard but once it's cooked, it's delicious!
ReplyDeleteHannah- I made taco's with TVP this weekend, so tasty!
ReplyDeleteMegan- don't be scared it's so good!
Maggie- Mushrooms are so meaty on their own, love them in this!
Lorraine- LOL it's so true! I stuff just looks gross, but once you mix it all in, so good :)
This is what you told me about in a comment last week! You are right, it looks good! I'm going to pick up a bag soon and get to experimenting.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of TVP...I'll definitely have to try it! Thxs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a Lenten Friday meal. By this time of the season, I'm usually scraping the bottom of the barrel for new meatless ideas that my carnivorous husband will enjoy. This looks great! I've heard of TVP, but never tried it ... sounds like a perfect way to do so. Thanks, Steph!
ReplyDeleteAs for the cottage cheese, I sometimes like to add a scoop of low-fat ricotta cheese to my pasta ... so I'm down with that too. :)