Honestly, turkey is the greatest ground beef substitute I can think of. I can do anything with turkey that I can go with ground beef. I find turkey dries out so do use something to moisten it. For example, in turkey burgers, meat balls, or turkey meat loaf use onions, a binder like breadcrumbs and Worchestershire sauce. Lea & Perrins specifically is cholesterol free, fat free, preservative free, gluten free and has 80% less sodium than soy sauce. I personally don't always use egg and I don't find much of a difference either way. Cheese always works well too. I prefer to use a creamy or jalapeno Havarti with turkey. I don't know what the cheese/turkey rules in cooking are, but Havarti is a staple for me.
When we have taco's we use an Old El Paso "Smart Fiesta" taco kit, and use a simple ground turkey. The only difference is I do not drain the fat and add water, instead I add the seasoning directly to the turkey once it's 3/4 cooked through. I also let it simmer a long while. It's so very good. Lately I have been adding guacamole to the tacos also! Yay for extra healthy fats! It's awesome also as a meat sauce for pastas. I adopted whole grain pastas a few yeas ago and love it. It's a little heavier and little more filling but a little tricky to cook. Al dente is the best texture for whole grain pasta, but I would recommend cooking it a few minutes longer than the box asks for.
I actually started to get hooked on turkey when I worked at Whole Foods Market. There was always dishes made with turkey available in the hot food section. Anytime I am close by a WFM I stop in and try to grab a turkey and brie pannini! SO very very yummy!
One of my longest term goals is to fully adopted a vegetarian lifestyle. I am far from that goal, but baby steps are happening, very baby, ok infant steps. Fully replacing red meat with lean poultry and fish is step one.
Healthier options, smaller portions, proper fats, water, exercise....God it sounds so easy doesn't it.
As far as "steps" to vegetarianism....go slowly. You're body will adapt more easily and you'll be more likely to feel better (i.e. you won't crave meat or animal products as much!) Be careful with "vegetarian" meat and dairy substitutes..I'm sure you're well versed, but..I learned the wrong way that items marked as vegetarian are sometimes loaded with preservatives, fats, sugar, etc. Ugh.
I'm on a similar journey...I'd like to explore raw foods and incorporate the lifestyle more regularly.
Look at us all looking after ourselves...power to the momma's!
You're doing GREAT babe!
ReplyDeleteAs far as "steps" to vegetarianism....go slowly. You're body will adapt more easily and you'll be more likely to feel better (i.e. you won't crave meat or animal products as much!) Be careful with "vegetarian" meat and dairy substitutes..I'm sure you're well versed, but..I learned the wrong way that items marked as vegetarian are sometimes loaded with preservatives, fats, sugar, etc. Ugh.
I'm on a similar journey...I'd like to explore raw foods and incorporate the lifestyle more regularly.
Look at us all looking after ourselves...power to the momma's!
Love you more than words...I'm proud of you!