3 ms·

What exactly are 'crumbles'. Googled it and no easy joy there. Are they the same as what goes in apple crumble? Actually it seems to be a feature of american r

• blasdel 17y ago
  They're a ground beef substitute that manages to be even more inedible than even the shittiest ground beef. It's mostly chewy filler, not even soy -- the offal of agri-business faux-meat. Instead throw thinly sliced onion and firm tofu into a hot dry skillet and toss regularly. After it starts to brown, add butter and sliced fresh hot peppers. After that's integrated add ground spices: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, coriander, black pepper. While this is happening you can be frying eggs in the pan at the same time. When it's getting ready to leave the pan, you can add things like fresh garlic (it's better lightly cooked) and cheese (if it browns well). You can clear the flavor residue out of the hot pan by adding a splash of sherry, vinegar, or tamari. Try to avoid the tofu that comes waterlogged in a little failure tub. Most large grocery stores have a brand that comes in a vacuum-sealed bag, usually costing 3x as much, and it's worth it (like 'Wildwood' at Safeway). You can usually also get decent fresh tofu at local coops and asian immigrant groceries. You can also make it yourself, which usually results in a nice crumbly texture: make extra-strength soy milk, add dash of vinegar to coagulate, squeeze through cheesecloth.
  • dejb 17y ago
    > Try to avoid the tofu that comes waterlogged in a little failure tub. Why? Is there some problem with storing it this way or do those brands just tend to be the crappy ones? After you used some storing in water is the only way to keep it fresh that I'm aware of.
    • blasdel 17y ago
      > Is there some problem with storing it this way or do those brands just tend to be the crappy ones? Both. The non-tub kind is a lot firmer and tastier, mostly due to the manufacturers giving a shit, which leads to the better packaging. You don't have to store it immersed in water, just in a plastic bag. I usually use leftover grocery produce bags. It doesn't actually spoil any faster, any spoilage is much more obvious (sliminess / breakdown into chalky goop), and it doesn't get all loose and waterlogged.
• CalmQuiet 17y ago
  on this side of pond, Morning Star Farms makes frozen "fake-meat" - found in frozen ("breakfast food") foods. Pretty darn good "sausage" patties - and "crumbles" (substitute for ground beef), precooked, but can be browned up a little more in fry pan (olive oil) with spices (e.g., taco seasoning packet).