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Are there any good mushroom (or veg) alternatives to cured meats?
Hello,
I am looking for mushroom or veg alternatives to cured meats, e.g., Capicola, Prosciutto, Salami, Pancetta, etc.). I have tried one (not sure of source or brand), but it was not particularly good.
Wondered if someone here knew of any that are worth trying. Alternatively, recipes to make one's own.
Thanks!
I do beet jerky for backpacking sometimes. They aren't particularly calories dense but they make for a nice snack. I boil the beets and then slice them about 1/4 inch thick, sprinkle them with spices and rubs (ginger/soy sauce or cumin/cayenne/garlic are both really good) and lay them out in my dehydrator and leave it overnight. Like beef jerky the beet acts as the base and provides a nice earthy flavor for the spices to highlight. No idea what the shelf life is though.
Another one is seaweed. Nori is the one most people are familiar with (think sushi rolls), but you can dehydrate all kinds of seaweed. I'm a bag fan of doing wakame or giant kelp. You can even lightly sprinkle them with brown sugar ahead of time for a bacon-y maple umami flavor. Not sure if you can buy it, but if you're on the coast it is a very cheap option.
These are great suggestions, thanks!
To follow up on your comment, what kind of dehydrator do you use? That's something I have though about for a long time, but cannot justify the cost and space since it is not something I do enough. But maybe this (and similar options) would justify it.
I have this Nesco dehydrator. I got it as a gift and it has done the job well for the last 4 years. We originally got it because we moved into a house with a persimmon tree and I was experimenting with how to process that much fruit. But your point stands, it's big/bulky and take up a lot of room.
If you have more money than space you could go for a foldable one. Sometimes I wish I had.
I believe I have seen the foldable one you mention. If anything, that did appeal to me because it looked like something that I could pack up and put away.
Thank you for the suggestion, and for the link to the unit you use!
Go to your Asian markets. They have some decent tofu skin-jerkt equivalents. Most usually are on the sweeter side (that's what sells) but still are good. They're especially good for packing out on a trip because they're only OK on protein levels but high on sugar so they don't really need refrigeration but still are high enough that they are filling. The only real downside is they just don't have the popularity of regular beef jerky so there usually aren't as many varieties.
Edit:crap I forgot. An easy recipe is to overcook (on purpose - it helps make them mushy so they mix better) lentils +quinoa together. Boil them like rice so bring to a boil with water + spices like smoked paprika/thyme/oregano/or even bonito flakes (if you're ok with fish) and then reduce temperature and leave it for around 1 hour. Blend the mixture with a hand blender/regular blender until smooth-ish. Spread over wax paper/greased flat baking tray about 3-5mm high (think of it like cracker-height.) place in an oven on low (like 200F) until it dries out/browns. Leave to cool. Now you have high-protein chips that you can do whatever with. Flavour them however you like because my suggestions are random-ish but this is high-protein and a complete protein so they're really good for you. My only recommendation would be to add more fat into it but it will make it not dry as well. Maybe shredded coconut?
Awesome suggestions, thanks! I'll keep an eye out for what you describe. I would prefer something more savory than sweet, but maybe I can work out a recipe after I try some. I might also try some of your recipe and suggestions. Thanks!
Microwaving a honey mushroom (I think that's the variety... I knew them as "popinkies" /(opienki?) in my broken Polish) will make them taste like bacon. Use care though as mushrooms easily catch fire/smoke if heated too much.
We accidentally burned some trying to quick/dry/cook them and honest to God they tasted like cured bacon.
I have had honey mushrooms in cookies, and yeah, they taste exactly like bacon, haha! Never tried putting them in a microwave, though. That might be something to try. I am especially interested in this option because I am planning to grow my own edible mushrooms. Maybe this should be one of the varieties cultivate.
Thanks!
Mushrooms sautéed in butter are just as flavorful as any cured meat, imo.
An excellent and tasty choice. I do enjoy mushrooms prepared this way.
I was hoping there would also be some spiced, dried recipes out there. With all the veg alternatives to meats, even eggs, I wondered if there was a cured meat alternative, too.
I've never found a meat substitute that didn't taste like disappointment except for one brand of tofu sausages
I use marinated eggplant and artichoke instead (on a grazing board for example)
Best of luck OP. If you find something please let us know. Personally, I haven't found anything in the same ballpark
That's what I was afraid of. I tried something at a restaurant once, but it was not especially good. I, unfortunately, enjoyed cured meats once upon a time, but I am moving away from meat and have it very rarely. I feel like there is, or should be, something.