Well, It Tastes A Lot Like Chicken

While a vegan diet means no animal products, it doesn’t have to mean rabbit food. 

Here is a recipe for making a chicken substitute from Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) chunks that can be eaten as it is or as an ingredient in other dishes.

If you are not familiar with TVP, it is the wonder food of the 21st Century.  It was probably a wonder food in the 20th Century also, but it’s awesome-spaceman-food nevertheless.

Ingredients for two servings:

1/2 cube vegan chicken flavored bouillon (Celifibr Vegetarian Chicken Bouillon):  5 Cal / 123 mg Sodium

1 1/2 cups water

1 TBS vegan margarine (Best Life Buttery Spread):  60 Cal / 100 mg Sodium

1 cup Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) Chunks:  180 Cal / 0 mg Sodium

1 medium sized onion (onions are very low in calories and have almost no sodium, so I’m not going to count either).

Boil the water in a microwave to dissolve the bouillon.  Add the TVP, return the broth and TVP to the microwave on high for two minutes and then let it sit for about 15 minutes. 

While all of this is going on, chop up the onion and over sauté it in about a tablespoon of vegan margarine. 

This would be a good time to tell your partner how much you love them.  The tears make it all that much more believable.

Squeeze the excess liquid from the TVP and put the TVP in the frying pan.  Add a few tablespoons of left over bouillon broth to the frying pan.  Sauté to coat the TVP with some of the liquid and then cover to steam for a few minutes.  Lift the lid now and then to stir the mixture and to assure it hasn’t dried up or stuck to the pan.  When most of the liquid has been absorbed or steamed off, sauté until the TVP chunks show some browning.

Serve hot as is, over rice or use as the base for any number of chicken recipes.

Total per serving:  122.5 Cal / 111.5 mg Sodium

Now, while your partner is still basking in the glow of your undying love, ask him or her to clean up the kitchen while you lounge in front of the TV.

If you are substituting brands, make sure to consult your choices’ nutrition labels.