I haven't often tried to imitate omni food with vegan faux-meats, but I have one major exception. I have yet to find a recipe for the perfect meatless meatball.I know a great vegan meatless meatball exists. It's called Nate's Zesty Italian Meatless Meatballs. It looks and tastes like the omni version and has a gentle texture when heated in spaghetti sauce as I did the photo above.
That one used whole wheat spaghetti with sliced zucchini also cooked into the sauce and topped with vegan parmesan.
I always dump my pasta into the sauce when it's finished cooking (the Italian way as in my photo) as opposed to spooning sauce over plain spaghetti (the American way as in the Nate's package photo). The flavor is much more saturated when going traditional.
Nate's Meatballs are a little too delicate to mix up with the spaghetti and sauce so they must be spooned on after. That's OK though because it allows other uses for the meatballs besides the pasta meal - like meatball sammiches, for instance.
Nate's is pretty healthy, too. Three meatballs have 90 calories, 9 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fiber.
The ingredients list textured soy protein, water, wheat gluten, pressed canola oil, bread crumbs, Italian spices, evaporated cane juice, garlic, celery, and parsley. That shouldn't be too difficult to duplicate, but I haven't seen a recipe doing it yet.
I admit it - I'm too lazy to figure out the right proportions. I'm hoping someone will read this and try it for themselves.
Then let us all know, OK?
Until then, we have...
NATE'S ZESTY ITALIAN MEATLESS MEATBALLS RATING - 10!
Nate's = the best! we haven't had Nate's meatless meatballs in a while, but used to get the mushroom flavor ones - they were oh-so awesome! lately dan's been making meatless tempeh balls - i think i need to convince him to try & create some similar to Nate's, too! mmmmmmmmmm! now you've got me craving meatless balls 'n glorious plates of pasta! yay!
ReplyDeleteI do love Nate's--perfect for a quick fix! But have you tried Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style? I mix in fresh herbs, minced garlic, and other spices to make the most amazing (and low fat/cal) meatless meatballs!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Gimme Lean yet. I've been determined to try one from scratch first! I tried recipes for meatless meatballs from Jo Stepaniak and Joni Newman which were good on their own, but not anything that tastes traditional like Nate's.
ReplyDeleteOoh yummy! I'd like to try those.
ReplyDeleteI will have to try those meatballs out! I hadn't heard of them before. I love to try new products and these sound really good.
ReplyDeleteI am not vegetarian, but am slowly trying to transition that way. I love to replace meat with tofu, tempeh etc. and love all of the great recipes you provide on your site.
I love to read your page because all of the great ideas you give me. Everything I have tried has turned out so good! Keep up the amazing job you are doing!
Abbie
FoodsThatFit.com
Oh, I'm eating Nate's classic now! I had to look them up because they are soooo delicious!!! Smothered in mushroom gravy on top of garlic mashed potatoes! :D A quick, easy and DELICIOUS dinner!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you buy Nate's meatless meatballs? I can't find them.
ReplyDelete