MOCK-ERY and MAYHEM

A few weeks ago, a friend texted me an interesting question, which I will answer here. Anyone who has watched me agonizingly text anything longer than 5 words knows why I would rather post it here.

The Question: How do I feel about the "Mock Meat" family?

The Short Answer: Me likey!

The Long-Winded Explanation of My Reasoning: Basically, as a vegan, I eat tofu, seitan, beans or legumes combined with complex carbs to get my protein, for energy that lasts more that an hour and for muscle tone, good hair, skin and nails. You need the protein. You don't need it to moo at you. The mock meat group is normally thought of as a group of highly processed grains made to resemble in taste, texture and appearance a piece of meat. If you think this, you are mistaken.

Most products sold as mocks do not in fact taste like meat; they taste like the spices and flavors used to make meat taste good. Otherwise, you meat eaters out there would just boil up all your meat if it inherantly was so uber-tasty on it's own. It's not that good boiled because there isn't much flavor. Add some spices, or a sauce(BBQ, hot sauce) or pour some oil in and cover it in bread or flour and SHAZAMM--it's delicious!

So I see the mock fam memberage in the same light: on it's own, a block of tofu or chunk of seitan, while chock full of protein, tastes like nothing. It's what you add while you prepare it for the table that makes it delectable. I do use some mocks for short-cuts that are pre-made and in the freezer section of my store. They are good for the days when you work a 13-hour shift and stumble in the door after 9PM and can't fathom cooking but you are starving so that you hurt. Any time I have and can actually cook, I make seitan from scratch or use tofu from the supermarket. I love to spice it up, pour on some sauce, you name it. I made a tofu loaf recently, which you might consider a "mock meatloaf." You throw in some oatmeal, some spices (including catsup, just like mom would), onions and bake it. It gets crispy on the outside and is kinda moist inside. In that way it resembles a meatloaf but I would never say it tastes just like one. It gets sliced up in cold sandwiches as a good protein filler for when a gal needs a break from PB & J.

So that's my official stance on the mocks. Aren't you glad you asked?

ON THE KNITTING FRONT:
1. My SECRET PINK PROJECT (my first crochet project ever) was mailed out for the intended recipient--stay tuned, once they get it I will post a finished pic.
2. I started a project for me--but I need to reconfigure. Once I get my camera back (Nature Boy has it on his trip to Russian Xmas--yeah, I stayed home and sat it out this year, no walnuts to the head for me, thanks)I'll clue ya in.
3. I am gearing up for the 4th ANNUAL PITTSBURGH KNIT AND CROCHET FEST!!! Fibre mayhem at it's best! Coming on Feb. 9th and 10th. Sounds like more yarn will be coming to live with me...I'll have to break it to the current tenants to make some more room.