Post by Shelby on Feb 22, 2022 11:53:19 GMT -8
I saw a post about the vegetarian/vegan products you can buy at Aldi. I found the usual "I grilled up a veggie burger and a real burger and my family could tell the difference" anecdotes. So I replied as follows, and am repeating my statement here for discussion.
I’ve been a vegetarian for over thirty years now. While I hear what meat-lovers are saying about expecting a “meat” experience, most of the time vegetarian and vegan food is meant as a substitute rather than an imitation. If it tastes good to you, and you can use it in place of an animal product, then you win. Folks who grill up vegan and actual meat products side-by-side and weigh the results are pretty much defeating the purpose. Back in the day we used to use a big Portobello mushroom instead of a burger as a vegan option. Did it in any way resemble beef? No, but it tasted great and was a great alternative. No one expects eggplant parmesan to fool anyone into thinking that it’s veal. Try a veggie burger after not eating meat for a while. If you like it, then you have found something you can place in a bun. It’s certainly a bit of an ask to expect one product to be an exact reproduction of something else.
I’ve been a vegetarian for over thirty years now. While I hear what meat-lovers are saying about expecting a “meat” experience, most of the time vegetarian and vegan food is meant as a substitute rather than an imitation. If it tastes good to you, and you can use it in place of an animal product, then you win. Folks who grill up vegan and actual meat products side-by-side and weigh the results are pretty much defeating the purpose. Back in the day we used to use a big Portobello mushroom instead of a burger as a vegan option. Did it in any way resemble beef? No, but it tasted great and was a great alternative. No one expects eggplant parmesan to fool anyone into thinking that it’s veal. Try a veggie burger after not eating meat for a while. If you like it, then you have found something you can place in a bun. It’s certainly a bit of an ask to expect one product to be an exact reproduction of something else.