The CookingBites Recipe Challenge: Nov 2015-June 2017

[Morning Glory]

It wouldn't bother me at all if people posted recipes with [whatever] substitutes but, if anyone doesn't like a particular food for any reason, they could always skip that particular challenge. I would skip any under the category "fish" because I am so horribly allergic to all seafood even reading a recipe makes me feel queasy, although I must admit that @morning glory 's recipe in my melon challenge didn't bother me too much because it wasn't obviously seafood. In fact, I've been racking my brains trying to think of a substitute that goes with the other ingredients and doesn't detract from the idea behind the recipe. It would be interesting, though, to see if anyone could come up with a fish substitute without resorting to an entirely different species. Having said that, I'm always "tinkering" with recipes and have been known to substitute chicken with potatoes (especially in spicy recipes) just for a change

Watch this space for a substitute for Crab... I've been working on it today!

 

[Morning Glory]

Evidently a gap in the market for fish substitute...

OK. I am now working on vegetarian substitute for fish/seafood. Recipe later....

 

[Duck59]

How about eggs? After all, most eggs are the produce of chickens.

Hang on, before Professor Pedanticus starts on me, most eggs that are sold as food by retailers is what I mean. I think we can say that fish produce eggs in larger quantities than hens.

 

[Morning Glory]

Hang on, before Professor Pedanticus starts on me, most eggs that are sold as food by retailers is what I mean. I think we can say that fish produce eggs in larger quantities than hens.

They do... but I'm getting very confused. There are two things here:
1. How to do a vegetarian substitute for chicken?
2. How to do a vegetarian substitute for seafood?
I've been working on No 2 today. But if you like fish eggs then I'm more than happy. I adore them.

Especially in the form of 'a vicar, somewhat confused' (6)

 

[Morning Glory]

How about eggs? After all, most eggs are the produce of chickens.

If we allow eggs as a sub for chicken, then we should allow milk as a sub for beef (after all, most milk is the produce of cows).

 

[classic33]

Does anyone else have any thoughts on the matter please?

I've always thought we were working to this....

And as always, in the event of a dispute the site moderators have the final say.

-----------------------------------

What has got to me is the choosing of ingredient because it happens to suit the poster, because they disagree with the one chosen.

Not in the spirit of the competition

 

[classic33]

If we allow eggs as a sub for chicken, then we should allow milk as a sub for beef (after all, most milk is the produce of cows).

Goat, horse, sheep.
With the latter, can we substitute lamb for beef?

 

[classic33]

Short selection
Dairy Substitutes
Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds
Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds
Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread
Earth Balance Soy Garden Natural Buttery Spread
Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks
Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative
GO Veggie! Grated Parmesan Flavor Cheese Alternative
Love & Joy Nacheez Vegan Cheese
MimicCreme Non-Dairy, Non-Soy Nut Cream
Rice Dream Non-Dairy Beverages
Silk Soymilk
Smart Balance Light Original Buttery Spread With Flax
So Delicious Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
Tofutti Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Tofutti Soy-Cheese Slices
WholeSoy & Co. Soy Yogurt

Beef Substitutes
Beyond Meat Beef-free Crumbles – Beefy
Beyond Meat Beef-free Crumbles – Feisty
Boca Ground Crumbles
Boca Original Vegan Burgers
Field Roast Classic Meatloaf
Gardein Home Style Beefless Tips
Gardenburger Black Bean Chipotle Veggie Burger
Gardenburger Veggie Medley Veggie Burger
Match Vegan Ground Beef
MorningStar Farms Roasted Garlic and Quinoa Burger
Nate’s Meatless Meatballs
Neat’s Italian, Original, and Mexican Mixes

Pork Substitutes
Field Roast Celebration Roast
Lightlife Gimme Lean Sausage Style
Lightlife Smart Bacon
Lightlife Smart Deli Baked Ham Style
Match Vegan Ground Italian Sausage
Match Vegan Ground Pork
Yves Veggie Cuisine Meatless Canadian Bacon
Yves Veggie Cuisine Original Meatless Jumbo Hot Dogs
Yves Veggie Cuisine Veggie Breakfast Links

Chicken and Turkey Substitutes
Beyond Meat Chicken-free Strips – Grilled
Beyond Meat Chicken-free Strips – Lightly Seasoned
Beyond Meat Chicken-free Strips – Southwest Style
Boca Chik’n Nuggets
Boca Chik’n Patties
Field Roast Deli Slices
Gardein Barbecue Wings
Gardein Chik’n Filets
Gardein Chik’n Scallopini
Gardein Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers
Gardein Classic Style Buffalo Wings
Gardein Mandarin Orange Crispy Chik’n
Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders
Match Vegan Ground Chicken
Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips
Tofurky Deli Slices
Yves Veggie Cuisine Meatless Deli Turkey Slices
Yves Veggie Cuisine Veggie Chicken Burgers

Seafood Substitutes
Gardein Golden Fishless Filet
Gardein Mini Crabless Cakes
Match Vegan Ground Crab Meat
May Wah Vegan Fish Ball
May Wah Vegan Shrimp Ball
May Wah Vegan Tuna
May Wah Vegetarian Salmon
Vegetarian Plus Vegan Shrimp
Vegetarian Plus Vegan Fish Fillets
Pre-Packaged Meals
Amy’s Asian Noodle Stir-Fry
Amy’s Baked Ziti Bowls
Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada
Tofurky Pizza
Tofu
Fishless Filets
Tempeh

Egg Substitutes
Ener-G Egg Replacer
The Vegg

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Short selection
Seafood Substitutes
...
Vegetarian Plus Vegan Shrimp
Vegetarian Plus Vegan Fish Fillets
Pre-Packaged Meals
Amy’s Asian Noodle Stir-Fry
Amy’s Baked Ziti Bowls
Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada
Tofurky Pizza
Tofu
Fishless Filets
Tempeh

Egg Substitutes

Brilliant. But tofu under fish? Tempeh under fish and some random 'prepackaged Meals' also under fish?

And the list for the UK?
Then I'll have one for Australia please. I have a whole load new substitutes to look at and wonder if they'll ever taste even vaguely pleasant and do my utmost to avoid!

I don't want to stop people entering into the spirit of the competition. It is just that there are few of us on the forum that actively participate and fewer still who enter the competition and I was genuinely just trying to get it more open when a non-veg*n for was chosen.

 

[Duck59]

At this point, the line "He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich" springs to mind.

 

[Morning Glory]

Brilliant. But tofu under fish? Tempeh under fish and some random 'prepackaged Meals' also under fish?

And the list for the UK?
Then I'll have one for Australia please. I have a whole load new substitutes to look at and wonder if they'll ever taste even vaguely pleasant and do my utmost to avoid!

I don't want to stop people entering into the spirit of the competition. It is just that there are few of us on the forum that actively participate and fewer still who enter the competition and I was genuinely just trying to get it more open when a non-veg*n for was chosen.

No-one has objected to substitutes (except @classic33 who suggested that substitutes shouldn't be allowed if a poster chooses it because the chosen ingredient doesn't suit them - did I understand that correctly?). But as you are the Moderator then your suggestion meets his criterion too. So I think we should throw the doors open and accept vegetarian/vegan substitutes.

 

[Morning Glory]

Brilliant. But tofu under fish? Tempeh under fish and some random 'prepackaged Meals' also under fish?

Maybe not fish but see the result of my work yesterday to find a crab substitute: Avocado and Tofu Roulade

 

[classic33]

No-one has objected to substitutes (except @classic33 who suggested that substitutes shouldn't be allowed if a poster chooses it because the chosen ingredient doesn't suit them - did I understand that correctly?). But as you are the Moderator then your suggestion meets his criterion too. So I think we should throw the doors open and accept vegetarian/vegan substitutes.

This substitution isn't the same, nor anywhere near the previous one. Previous one was with regards substituting one ingredient within the same class/family, I'll stand by that, saying it shouldn't be allowed. To me that's side-stepping what was chosen, and not in the spirit of this challenge. Does a cucumber look anything like a pumpkin? Same family, but would you be happy to have the shop exchange the latter for for the the former on that basis?

I have asked once, due to regional variations, Red or Green? That when cabbage was chosen. Not everyone has access to supermarkets that stock everything. Some even chose to use the smaller markets and shops.

What we do need to do however, is recognise that there are alternatives out there, freely available, for those that don't/can't eat meat or dairy and allow for that fact. It does have it's own part within the forum.

 

[Morning Glory]

This substitution isn't the same, nor anywhere near the previous one. Previous one was with regards substituting one ingredient within the same class/family, I'll stand by that, saying it shouldn't be allowed. To me that's side-stepping what was chosen, and not in the spirit of this challenge. Does a cucumber look anything like a pumpkin? Same family, but would you be happy to have the shop exchange the latter for for the the former on that basis?

I have asked once, due to regional variations, Red or Green? That when cabbage was chosen. Not everyone has access to supermarkets that stock everything. Some even chose to use the smaller markets and shops.

What we do need to do however, is recognise that there are alternatives out there, freely available, for those that don't/can't eat meat or dairy and allow for that fact. It does have it's own part within the forum.

I agree with your sentiments. But in the instance you are referring to, I asked if I could use Butternut Squash as I couldn't get Pumpkin. Its widely acknowledged that they taste very similar. Not like the difference of taste between cucumber and pumpkin. In the end I used Butternut Squash in order to test recipes which I created for Pumpkin/Butternut Squash. It got me experimenting and creating new dishes. It was a great thing! Was that wrong?

I'm more than happy to allow substitutes for vegetarians/vegans! Lets include as many people as possible in the Challenge. I really don't think its worth getting tied in knots over rules. Its all about having fun, isn't it? My only issue with subs for chicken was how to judge it. As the subs taste so different it could be tricky. I mean, should I judge it on its own merits as, say, a tofu dish. Or am I judging it as a substitute for chicken in a chicken recipe? I guess I'll just decide if it takes my fancy!

The thing is, that the Challenge can only ever be a virtual experience. I do try to actually test out people submissions where I can but i can't possibly do that with all submissions - in the end, we are judging by pictures and a list of ingredients/method. For that reason, I don't think we should get to hung up on rules. Other forums with challenges expect the posters to cook and provide a photo of their entries. We don't do that. We don't even expect the poster to have even tried out the recipe - so its essentially a fun challenge, I think. No skill involved, necessarily, other than Googling recipes. I don't mind that at at all! Lets keep it fun.

I love this Forum... and the Challenge is something enjoy very much.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My main thoughts at the moment are that if someone states chicken, then vegan/vegetarians/pescatarians who want to enter the challenge should be allowed an equivalent substitution. So soya/TVP mince for chicken would not be allowed, but would be for a red meat switch. Tempeh would switch with anything, as would Seitan. But chicken flavoured quorn would only be allowed for a chicken or white meat substitution.

If Pumpkin is stated, then pumpkin should be the ingredient. If squash is stated, any hard skinned squash could be used, such as winter squash, pumpkin, butternut squash, but not marrow or courgette which although botanically fall under the same family are not really equivalent.

Dairy/Nut allergies are more interesting issues, as would be a gluten/lactose intolerance and we will just need to accept that milk is anything vaguely resembling a milk style drink. Same for yoghurt etc. Cheese, well there are substitutions but the flavours are not the same however, for vegans we adapt (as do those of us allergic to dairy).

But we can live, learn and modify and adapt as needed.