We have enjoyed trying these. I like a good TVP. A bad one is vile. This one is pretty good, even my husband liked it.
We are not vegetarian, my husband is a carnivore more than an omnivore. I rarely like meet substitutes that do not accept what they are and what the ingredients actually taste like in an attempt to taste like something they never will. However, we both actually enjoyed these and will get some for storage - it is a great backup when we didn't thaw anything or are short that week.
This is a good meet substitute in many recipes. It does not taste exactly like the meat in question...no shock, it shouldn't. It is good in the recipes, has a good texture when done 1:1 with water (experiment a little), and it has a good flavor.
We haven't tried all of them yet. The beef bits are great in tomato sauce and beans. The ham is useful for breakfast, mild flavor but works well.
I was a bit skeptical about this stuff, that's why I got the sampler to try it out. I have to say It is really very good. It really has a good taste to it and if you don't tell anyone it isn't meat they won't know. Have tried the beef in chili and it works great and tried the chicken in soup and it tastes good too. The texture is just like meat. I will be getting full sizes for sure, great to have on hand if your in a rush to fix dinner.
I am now completely obsessed with TVP, particularly when it comes pre-seasoned and formed in this way. This little sampler kit was a great introduction to the world of TVP. I've already made taco stuffed peppers with the taco bits, a fennel "sausage" white wine sauce with the chickenish bits, and a breakfast scramble with the hammish bits. Versatile, easy to use, and very tasty.
I got more than my money's worth out of this sampler, though you couldn't have mistaken the TVP for meat in my estimation. Still, it was edible, though some was better than others. The ham type was good with beans, and the taco bits did well with beans again for a burritto filling. I didn't care much for the beef or chicken chunks, they really didn't have much flavor, but all in all I was satisfied and got a lot of meals out of the package for only $25.
This sample pack was a nice way for me to decide which products worked for me. I was able to decide with my tastebuds which to order in the future. Please note, there are no instructions on the package. So, if you have never used dehydrated foods or soy "meat" substitutes, you may have a bit of research or trial and error. I also found one tiny bit of help on their website. Even looking at the recipe section was not useful. This is my only drawback. I found using double the water to dry goods and bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes worked for me. You have to find the best for you. I also rehydrated with making a "beef stew" in the crockpot. This was very good as it became more tender over the hours. I rehydrated the "ground taco beef" in boiling water for about 5 minutes, then made crock pot enchiladas. This was also excellent. The "ham" was excellent in my split pea crock pot soup and in turnip greens. I will buy larger quantities of my favorites from this selection.
Feature Product
- Meat-free, dairy-free, excellent meat substitute.
- Use directly in soups, stews, or other dishes.
- Meatless protein provides a meaty flavor without the fat and cholesterol.
- Product of the USA. FREE SHIPPING on $99+ orders from Harmony House Foods.
- Food you can trust from a nationally recognized leader!
Description
If you would like to sample each of our TVP Flavors, here's your chance! The TVP SAMPLER contains our ZIP POUCH size (1 CUP) of each of the following: Beefish bits, Beefish Chunks, Beefish Pieces, Chickenish Bits, Chickenish Flakes, Chickenish Chunks, Hamish Bits, & Plain TVP! Try 'em all the easy way! After you do... well, you'll want to come back for more. (Vegetarian/Vegan) CONTAINS SOY
I expected the product to be pre-seasoned to mimic the meats described. I was a little disappointed to find out it was just plain TVP shaped and colored like various meats. With that being said, it was a lot better then the plain TVP I was buying in bulk from my local health food store. Not really sure why but it is. Reconstitute with low sodium broth/powdered stock base and season liberally. Don’t skimp on the olive oil and you can most likely tuck it into a stir fry or casserole to fool a meat eater. I especially liked the beefish bits because you can achieve a well seasoned product without oversalting, unlike the frozen/refrigerated mock ground beef you can find at the grocery store. Doesn’t hurt that it’s more economical too! Will definitely be ordering in bulk from harmony house.
I'll jump to the points:
Pros:
- Variety
Cons:
- Flavor
- Texture
Why four starts, you ask? These guys gave it an honest effort, and they are not bad flavor wise. Remove some sugar and strengthen the texture = win.
No one knew that these where not actually a meat product but me, everyone raved about the dishes I used them in. Thanks!
I was really impressed with the taste. The taco and ham are the bomb. The plain beef is great too. Thumbs up, and I am a meat eater.
I love it. The taste is great. I have used TVP in the past so I know it has to be rehydrated. A newcomer would not know what to do because there are no directions. Otherwise, a really great product.
0 comments:
Post a Comment