I have several friends that say, ad nauseum, that “everything is better with bacon”.
One friend’s famous quote is “The only thing better than bacon is… more bacon.”
But is the same true for vegetarian bacon?
Following the Mexican cuisine class I attended while in Cancun, I decided it might be beneficial to add a little “bacon” to my “ground beef tacos” (translation: I added Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon Strips to my Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters™ Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™ based taco filling).
Admittedly, I have never really thought of using the bacon strips much – cooked normally without being added too other dishes, they are kind of dry and most meat eaters laugh at them. I like the taste, but it’s never been something I’ve yearned for on a Sunday morning.
However, when added to a meatless entree, would they pack the same power punch pig-based bacon supposedly does?
Vegetarian Tacos with Bacon and Crumbles
I cooked about 4 strips of the Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon in a bit of canola oil in a tall sided sauce pan according to the directions. Not long- couple of minutes, until it got crispy.
I pulled the “bacon” out of the pan (keeping the “bacon”-ized oil in the pan) and chopped it into small pieces.
I returned the chopped veggie bacon to the pan along with about a quarter cup of diced red onion. I added salt and pepper while it cooked. The “bacon” and onion sauteed in the original oil until it was slightly translucent.
I added a bag of Morningstar Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles, and cheated and added instant taco seasoning packet and a small amount of water.
I also added extra cumin, oregano, hot Hungarian paprika, and about a teaspoon of Vegetarian Worcheshire sauce to make it even more meaty.
I cooked everything until the liquid evaporated and tasted for saltiness and pepperiness. You know the drill.
I filled warmed taco shells with the following: a pinch of shredded mild cheddar cheese, then the “meat” filling, then salsa, lettuce, and quick homemade guacamole.
The verdict:
Holy guacamole did the veggie bacon make a difference! It gave it a smokey flavor that was completely void from the crumble tacos I usually make.
A simple, single step had a huge impact on the flavor.
I am beginning to think that mixing two or more ingredients from this class of meat substitutes could yield positive results.
Diced mushrooms would have also added to the meaty-ness, and area common addition I use, but I didn’t use them this time.
I think adding other meat substitutes, such as Morningstar Farms Veggie Sausage Patties, would also be worthwhile:
I am so thankful that Kellogg continues to make and sell the Morningstar Farms line of products. I practically live off of this stuff, and it’s so easy to find and they are all convenient to use. It’s so much easier to buy these products at my regular grocery store, and it often saves me a trip to the far-away ‘natural foods’ store, although I like to support them, as well.
April has been a vegetarian her entire life and is an avid home cook. She resides in Maryland with her omnivore husband, four happy dogs, and an african grey parrot. She enjoys spending her non-cooking free time as photographer and business manager for Baltimore Maryland’s Premier Wedding and Portrait Photographers at Blair Wright Studios Photography
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