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Original poster

Can I pass of Vegetarian replacements as the real thing?

39 replies

LadyMaryofDownt0n · 27/10/2015 20:43

We eat very little meat & I do try my best to keep in non processed however I've been considering just replacing say sausages (I wouldn't replace chicken) with veg alternatives ie Linda McCarthy sausages.

Would they (DH & DD) know the difference? The two small kids couldn't care less & will almost anything. Or will it be so obvious that I won't be able to hide/disguise it?

I'd be doing it for all sorts of reasons but mainly from a health point of view.

OP posts:
bloodyteenagers · 27/10/2015 20:46

They would notice. The veg would be a huge giveaway

Trills · 27/10/2015 20:46

No.

Cook something else.

PurpleDaisies · 27/10/2015 20:51

Why would you need to hide it? Confused

We use meal replacements like soya mince and veggie sausages Al our meat intake is lower. My dh was happy to try them and liked them. Given he is an adult it would be really odd not to tell him.

PurpleDaisies · 27/10/2015 20:52

"So our meat intake is lower" not the random Al!

mamapants · 27/10/2015 20:54

You would definitely taste the difference as they don't taste anything like meat. But that doesn't mean to say they won't like them but there is no point trying to pretend.

Original poster
LadyMaryofDownt0n · 27/10/2015 20:55

Like what trills I've ran out of ideas.

I'd hide it because they wouldn't even try it otherwise. DH has a terrible diet & I've tried every thing to encourage him to eat better. I'd tell him afterwards I don't see the harm.

OP posts:
penny13610 · 27/10/2015 20:56

Don't ever do Linda McCartney sausages, trust me just don't.
Cauldron ones are ok

NoArmaniNoPunani · 27/10/2015 20:59

I've been veggie for nearly 30years. Linda McCartney sausages are the most disgusting thing ever.

VulcanWoman · 27/10/2015 20:59

The Linda McCartney sausages are nice, just try them see what they think.

FeelingSmurfy · 27/10/2015 20:59

I am on the fence on this one

If you do decide to do it though, I would start with mince in spag bol / Shepard's pie etc first as its easier to disguise (I have known anti-veggie people eat it and compliment it...and then remember we are veggie and ask why we had mince) if that goes down OK a few times I would then bring the subject up again and say that they have been enjoying the mince so why don't we all try sausage or whatever

Original poster
LadyMaryofDownt0n · 27/10/2015 21:03

It was just a though but as I've never actually tried vegetarian alternatives I'd thought I'd ask as I've no idea what they are like. I'll stay away from the McCartney ones then Confused

I just find it difficult to cater for all their tastes & several allergies. Plus I am Irish & we where brought up on very plain food so basically am a shit cook, apart from the basics.

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 27/10/2015 21:08

The linda ones are naaaaaasty

Cauldron are ok

penny13610 · 27/10/2015 21:08

Proper stew with shed loads of veggies and pearl barley, pulses and just a bit of meat or sneaked in substitute.

minimalist000001 · 27/10/2015 21:14

What a shame your DH is so crap with food!

We don't bother with with meat alternatives at all as the difference between a locally sourced butchers sausage and a frozen veggie one is huge! We tend to eat sausages once a year and stick to less processed veggie options like chickpea curry.

DoreenLethal · 27/10/2015 21:17

My OH had to break it to his daughter when she went to uni the other week that she had been eating veggie chicken nuggets [quorn] for the last 9 years.

She took it well.

BYOSnowman · 27/10/2015 21:19

Not on the plate but if you did a sausage casserole you might get them past. For a few mouthfuls!

BertrandRussell · 27/10/2015 21:23

Why are you responsible for an adult man's diet?

itsbetterthanabox · 27/10/2015 21:31

I'm sure your kids won't mind. Most veggie meat alternatives taste nice. I doubt they will mind so must serve it.
You husband can eat it if he wants or make his own food. Don't pander to him.

Branleuse · 27/10/2015 21:33

cauldron sausages are good, the lincolnshire ones are better than the cumberland. Even quorn sausages are pretty good, but the linda mcartney ones are not very good. Theyre greasy and weird. They are however vegan, and the others are just vegetarian

Redcrayons · 27/10/2015 21:36

It's not just taste, the texture is different. You wouldn't get away with sausages at all.

Asda 'mince' apparently has a similar texture to real mince.

ragged · 27/10/2015 21:38

Do you have to lie to your DH to get him to try them?
Can you just say "We're trying something different" and ask him to go along with it for sake of getting the kids to have a wide palate?

HopefulAnxiety · 27/10/2015 21:52

Just cook more naturally veggie foods? Faux meats are still very processed. Veggie curries, chickpea tagines, black bean tacos, pasta with veg-based sauces, even a traditional stew full of pearl barley and root veg - if you choose food that's supposed to be meat-free, you miss the meat a lot less.

Also eating fish rather than meat, or using a small amount of strong-flavoured meat/fish to season rather than as the basis for a meal - eg anchovies in a pasta sauce or some smoked bacon in a stew.

FullFatHumourless · 27/10/2015 21:53

When I was a teenager, my boyfriend admitted that various Quorn products tasted just like the real thing (chicken). I wouldn't lie by omission, though! My grandad got horrendous D&V from Quorn he was served when he stayed with us. He knew it was Quorn, but hadn't ever eaten it before and no one had any idea that this would happen. I do think adults have a right to know what they're eating. Best to focus on making sure he doesn't give the game away to the kids, so what ragged said. (I was raised veggie and my father continued to eat meat. Mum just said "tough" to us and we ate what she cooked.)

VulcanWoman · 27/10/2015 21:56

The last time I tasted LM sausages they were fine, was a few years ago now though, sounds like they've gone off. Confused

avocadoghost · 27/10/2015 21:59

I love Linda McCartney sausages! They don't seem to be pretending to be meat iyswim, not like Quorn ones.

Fake mince is a bit grim tho, I find it way too spongy.

Basically, no, you wouldn't be able to trick someone, unless it was maybe the very processed stuff (eg. fake chicken nuggets).