Quorn is far more realistic, but it's not vegan (if that matters). I think it has lactic acid or some other milk-derived ingredient.

Tofurkey is awesome, too, but the one I made last year was not so hot -- my guess was it was my fault.

Get Quorn and follow the recipe on the back of the box. They really don't have to cook very long. The roasts look kinda small -- it's not going to give you that abundant Thanksgiving look -- so maybe more than one, depending on how many you'll be serving. Sliced and served with a nice gravy (start with vegetable broth) and mashed potatoes, it'd be, if not great, then pretty darn good. You could also stuff a little pumpkin or a squash with dressing for a nice centerpiece dish.

I have absolute respect for people who choose to go vegetarian or vegan. But I've always wondered, why then the desire for products that simulate the appearance and/or taste of meat? Is it social pressure to conform?

Just curious to hear some opinions from veggie folks.

Just because you choose to not eat meat doesn't mean you didn't find it tasty. It's like, if you could get close to the flavor without the moral guilt, without actually killing something so you can have your bacon, why wouldn't you?

I'm not veggie, but I do try to supplement my diet with meat-free alternatives. It's lower in fat and generally better for your health. But I definitely don't like enough vegetables and legumes to subsist on that full time, so I would need the meat-like products to survive.

I agree, its not that I don't like the taste of meat... I just don't like everything else that goes along with it (treatment of animals, steroids/hormones, high fat). Going veggie has made me so much more aware of my food choices and balancing out meals properly. And now I generally avoid fast food too, which is a plus.

That said, I'm not super big on meat replacements, I mostly throw fake meat crumbles into a sauce or seasoning or eat fake chicken nuggets. I'd rather have veggie burgers that taste like veggies (black beans!!). I'm excited/nervous about cooking up the fake turkey for thanksgiving... we'll see how it goes.

Eating meat substitutes like Tofurky helps me feel like i’m part of the celebration because I was a meat eater for most of my life. It’s tradition and memory and habit. So it’s nice to have a way to bring that nostalgia to the present without supporting an industry that thrives on suffering. Also…meat substitutes are tasty and full of protein!

Also…it’s exactly the same as a diabetic drinking diet coke. They remember that they love coke, but they know it’s not right to have one, so they grab a diet coke instead to simulate the same feelings and get their caffiene fix withaving sugar.

As we evolve, so does our food.

By the way, my vote goes to QUORN. Yum!!! And soy-free!