Please Keep Trying!

I didn’t know if I could do it. I didn’t know if could fake a “meatloaf” which tasted as good as or better than the regular, carnivore variety. But thanks to VegeUSA’s frighteningly “meaty” lineup of TVP, I managed to make a most excellent meatloaf the other night.

Most people don’t like meatloaf, regardless if they’re vegetarians or carnivores. I, however, loved meatloaf, adored it actually. I believe my affection for this underrated loaf is a direct result of my childhood affinity for inexpensive foodstuffs. For example, I would kill for a liverwurst or fried baloney sandwich. Kill. I would go one step further if yellow mustard was involved. I also had a special place in my arteries for Cheez Whiz™. Cheez Whiz with Lay’s™ potato chips was the best, but Steak-Ums™ with fried onions topped with ketchup on toasted Wonder Bread™ was a close second. What can I say?

I think this meatless meatloaf is fantastic, but you can tweak it as you see fit. You can make your meatloaf Cajun with a few Bayou-inspired spices (thyme, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, oregano and a dash o’ salt). Or give it a taste of Thai with some lemon grass, peanuts, bean sprouts, cilantro, lime juice, brown sugar, and green onions, then top the loaf with sweet chili sauce. Custom your meatloaf as you see fit; it’s your meatloaf. Take it back and fall in love with this cheapie meal on your own terms.

Rae’s Old School-style Veggie Meatloaf

• 2 cups pre-soaked TVP, ground
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup fat-free yogurt or soygurt
• 2 Tbls vegetarian beef broth or vegetable stock
• 1 Tbls parsley
• 1 tsp ground rosemary
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp tarragon
• dash cayenne pepper

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. In a frying pan, sauté the carrot, celery, onion and garlic till they’re softened. Pour the veggies into a large bowl.
2. Mix remaining ingredients with the cooked veggies, blending thoroughly. Pat mixture into a lightly greased loaf pan. Cook veggie loaf in pre-heated oven for one hour, till the top is slightly crisp. Let the loaf set up for ten to fifteen minutes. Serve immediately with barbecue sauce or ketchup.

Makes 6 Servings

Remember to let the meatloaf setup. If you don’t, it’ll fall apart as you remove it from the pan. It still tastes great, but the unique experience of having your “meat” served to you in loaf form will be lost.