Ground Round Digest Number 335

[Guest guest]

You can probably get four or more times as much TVP (texturized vegetable

protein) flakes, granules, and/or cubes for the price of the Yve's analog.

For me, unless I want a quick burger or meat loaf thing (instead of taking

30 minutes to make them using tvp, etc.), I don't use the " ground round

analog " as much as I used to (but the pepperoni and canadian bacon Yves are

awesome for a vegan pizza.....).

 

Just add a cup or two of TVP to any sauce-based crockpot recipe... not

necessary to pre-cook, sometimes you may need to add a little water.

 

A trick I've used is to layer the " hardest " densest stuff first: tvp

cubes, potatoes cubed, carrots cubed, green pepper, celery, onion/garlic,

then spices, then tomatoes (rarely using cans). Then, add a cup or so of

water (depending upon the water density of the veggies used), some

tamari/soy sauce/and/or cooking sherry/wine. The tvp cubes on the bottom

get full of flavor and have a delightful texture. I add nutritional yeast

and/or uncooked millet or cooked grains/pasta and/or tomato paste to

thicken if need be near the end of cooking time.

 

Spices can be chili-style, indian-style, slavic (caraway seeds), or italian

style. It's a generic recipe I use with seasonal vegetables (I'd add

cooked or small uncooked beans near/on the bottom). I envision the process

as those ingredients in the bottom getting the most flavor and heat over

time.

 

In winter, I sub in turnips and/or parsnips. If I have greens/cabbage,

they usually go on TOP of the tomatoes, and when they whither, I can

quickly see that the heating is good, and I turn it down to low for the

duration. IMHO, cooking on high for four hours cooks the " hell " outta the

meal. I prefer to cook on high for an hour, then low for three or four

depending upon size of cut veggies and desired outcome.

 

'nuff said.... Mark

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your tips, Mark.

 

I am interested in a bunch of advice on crockpot cooking. For instance,

once I accidentally filled the crockpot too full and it boiled over, so

to speak. So I'm always interested in good tips about cooking with my

lovely crockpot.

 

I have a 3.5 quart crockpot.

 

Thanks,

Julie