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Questions tagged [vegetarian]

Topics around cooking without animal flesh or byproducts.

Vegetarians vary enormously in what they are comfortable eating, so please specify your preferences in the question.

The most common U.S. definition involves abstaining from any food product that requires animal slaughter. This normally means lacto-ovo vegetarian, which, unlike food, places no restriction on the consumption of other animal products such as milk, eggs, or honey.

Questions that do not specify an additional subtype of vegetarianism will normally be interpreted as lacto-ovo.

Please don't use this tag for just any food which happens to not include meat. It is supposed to be used in cases where it is important to the question that the food is vegetarian (and should stay suitable for vegetarians after a solution has been found).

For general questions about vegetarian lifestyle, see our sister site Veganism & Vegetarianism Stack Exchange.

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Best meat replacements for a vegetarian/vegan?

Let's compile a list of vegetarian/vegan meat replacements. Generic replacements: Seitan Tofu Tempeh Quorn Quorn Vegan Alternatives Paneer TVP Commercial fake meats: Tofurky (Roasts, Sausages, Deli Slices) Lightlife Morningstar Worthington…
Zepplock
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Grilling veggies & meat on same surface for vegetarian guests

If I grill veggies and then grill meats (or vice versa) on the same surface, is heating and brushing the grill an adequate method to assure I haven't offended a vegan or vegetarian?
Steve
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What if I microwave Beyond Meat?

I have a bag of Beyond Meat crumbles. Before reading the bag, I microwaved the crumbles in a bowl until they were thoroughly heated. ...Then I noticed that the bag says "DO NOT MICROWAVE". Is there a health concern with microwaving the product, or…
Tashus
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Is there a vegetarian gelatin substitute that is as strong as gelatin?

I've made several mold (shaped) desserts with both gelatin and gelatin substitutes, and the substitutes have always failed to hold the shape of fully domed chocolate molds and the like. Are there any real vegetarian substitutes here, or only…
user3579
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Substituting black beans for ground beef in a meat pie

My wife has recently decided not to eat meat, so we have been substituting black beans for ground beef in some of our favorite dishes. This has worked fine so far, but I am not sure about making this substitution in cheeseburger pie. The recipe…
Plutoro
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How do I get vegetarian tamales to come out fluffy?

I'm a vegetarian, so naturally I don't use lard when making the masa for tamales. I've experimented with butter, non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening, and solid coconut oil. I've tried beating the dough for a long time in my stand mixer, as I've…
Michael Natkin
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Is gelatin vegetarian?

I understand that vegetarians are against meat, and gelatin is derived from meat and bones. So the obvious answer is "no." But I'm not entirely sure. What constitutes an ingredient as "vegetarian" or "vegan?"
Corey
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Adding a smoky flavour without adding spiciness

I rather like a strong smoky flavour in some of my food - I've tasted some rather lovely smokey vegetarian Mexican bean wraps for instance. However, I've struggled to replicate this in my own cooking without making things rather hot! I've tried…
Michael Berry
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What vegetarian substitute for prosciutto could I use in Carbonara?

Instead of prosciutto, I used capers to try and maintain the salty aspect. It worked ok, but something about the capers and cheese didn't seem right. Any other suggestions? Also, to round out the dish with a bit more substance, I also added some…
lukecyca
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What's a good vegetarian substitute for Worcestershire sauce?

The only thing I really miss since I started the whole rampant vegetarian thing is the taste of Worcester sauce in all sorts of dishes. Is there a way to get close to the flavour without doing anything rude to any anchovies?
Carmi
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How to make tofu that is crispy and flavorful outside and soft inside?

I know how to fry tofu to make it firm, and also how to dry fry it and marinade it to make it flavorful. Neither of these cooking techniques mimics the tofu I get at my local Thai restaurant. When I order tofu there, it is perfectly fried to give…
morgueanna
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Are there any vegetarian-friendly egg substitutes that can be used in cakes?

I spent about 2 1/2 years as a lacto-ovo vegetarian but, I gave up eggs in October. The problem is that I really like cake. Unfortunately, the cake recipes that I've found that don't use eggs produce very dense cakes. Is there a way around this?
somehume
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Are there any vegetarian applications for transglutaminase ("meat glue")?

Transglutaminase is an enzyme that is popular among modernist chefs for two main purposes - to glue different meats together for special effects (like a modern turducken), and to create consistently shaped and sized portions for even cooking. My…
Michael Natkin
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How best to pan-fry tofu?

I love fried tofu, but I don't want to have a deep fryer in my home (I'll use it too much!). I've tried a few different techniques for pan-frying tofu, but it always comes out unsatisfying - too dry, too thin, too wet; I'll admit, I'm not a genius…
Rob
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What is the ideal fake turkey substitute for a vegan Thanksgiving?

While recently experimenting with a seitan based fake turkey, I was curious if I was even pursuing the right media for making a fake vegan turkey. With respect to the following characteristics, what vegan meat substitute media (as in, can…
mfg
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