Thursday, August 2, 2012

TVP and Sloppy Jo-nis

Sloppy Jo-nis From Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites (page 97)
This post is in response to the soy haters and TVP bashers out there who leave reviews on Amazon telling people not to buy my books because I use TVP in my recipes.  (By the way of the 101 veggie burger  recipes in The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet, only 34 call for TVP. There are also 43 additional recipes for breads, condiments, and other goodies that are TVP free.)

What is TVP?  TVP stands for Textured Vegetable Protein.  It also goes by other names, like TSP (Textured Soya Protein), Soy Chunks, Soy Curls, Soy Meat, and probably lots of other names as well.

What is it made from?  Most commonly, it is made from defatted soy flour.  It is a by product of the soybean oil extraction process.  It can also be made from other grains and seeds like oats, cotton seeds, and even wheat.  Once the oil is extracted, the remaining protein is heated to a temperature that allows it to be molded and pressed through a nozzle into various shapes and sizes.  Without getting to scientific on y'all, the heating process makes it malleable, and the cooling process makes it porous and puffy so that it can absorb up to 3 times it's own weight in liquids when rehydrating.

What is it used for?  I can tell you what I use it for.  I use it as a quick, easy, low fat, source of protein.  I buy a ton of the stuff in bulk, and use it to make all sorts of meat alternatives.  I use it to make my own bacon bits.  I use it to make Sloppy Jo-nis (recipe below).  I use it to make Meaty Marinara.  I use it to make Pepperoni Pizza Topping.  I use it to make my own Taco Meat.  It is also commonly used in the commercial food industry as a meat extender.  Because it has very little flavor on it's own, it absorbs and takes on the flavor of pretty much anything you cook it in.

Is it good for you?  Well, all things in moderation.  It is a soy based product, so I believe it is a great alternative to artery clogging, cholesterol laden, ground up dead cow.  I don't eat it every day (but I don't really suggest eating ANYTHING every day!)  Here is a nutritional breakdown of dry TVP granules (I use the Bob's Red Mill Organic TSP most often).  1/4 cup (14 g) of dry TVP granules contains: 80 calories, 1.5 grams fat (0 saturated and 0 trans), 0 Cholesterol, 0 sodium, 5 grams Carbs (3 grams Fiber, 1.5 grams Sugar), and 7 grams of protein.  It also provides 5% of your daily Calcium and 8% of your daily Iron.  The ONLY ingredient on the label is ORGANIC SOY.  Only you can decide what is good for you.
Bob's Red Mill Organic TSP Nutrition Facts Label.  Click on Image to enlarge.

Now to the good stuff.  The food.  Try this recipe for Sloppy Jo-nis the next time you want to expose vegan foods to a skeptic.  It tastes so similar to the real thing, they probably won't even taste the difference.



Sloppy Jo-nis
1 cup (96 g) TVP granules
1 cup (235 ml) veggie broth (No-Beef flavored vegetable broth works best here, but any will do)
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (40 g) finely diced onion
1/4 cup (40 g) finely diced green bell pepper
1 tablespoon (15 g) prepared yellow mustard
3/4 cup (204 g) ketchup
1 tablespoon (15 g) steak sauce
1 tablespoon (14 g) packed brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Reconstitute TVP by mixing together with veggie broth in a microwave safe dish, covering tightly with plastic wrap and micro waving on high for 5 to 6 minutes. (Alternatively, you can bring the broth to a boil, pour over the TVP, mix, cover and let sit for 10 minutes.)
In a frying pan, preheat oil over medium high heat.
Add onions and bell pepper. Saute about 3 minutes. Add in garlic and continue to saute for about 2 more minutes.
Reduce heat to low, add in reconstituted TVP, mustard, ketchup, steak sauce, and brown sugar.
Stir to coat, and heat through.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 servings

The nutritional info below is for the filling only.




17 comments:

Kristina @ spabettie said...

I have a reader that sends an email every time I use soy, telling me how bad it is. that just causes an eye roll, I am sorry people go this far to give your book a negative and exaggerated review :(

I haven't had a sloppy joe in ... years? these look good!

KellyC said...

BBBLLLLPPPPHHHH! to them! I enjoy some TVP/TSP every now and then especially in your pepperoni topping!

Joni Marie Newman said...

Thanks, Kristina. Now go make yourself a Sloppy Joe!

Joni Marie Newman said...

HA! Thanks Kelly.

vegan.in.brighton said...

I love TVP!! I had the Sloppy Joannas from YRR for dinner last night and I can't wait to try your recipe.

Unknown said...

That's right, KellyC!! Joni your recipes are so much fun and creative. And, even though I was only able to text just a handful for your homemade gifts cookbook, I enjoyed EVERY one... and I'm still using them! Now don't get me wrong, we just got a new juicer, and I've been on a raw juice kick, juicing everything I can get my hands on. But every now and then you need a tvp pepperoni pizza, or a big pot of chili ^_^

Matt said...

I want this so much!

The only thing I have against TVP is the hexane used in the process - but if you buy organic TVP and do a little bit of research, that's avoidable. We even have a TVP option here in Oz that's whole soybean (a bit like soy curls).

When treated properly, TVP is delish! Can't wait to try your jo-nis.. take care!

celine said...

High five, dude. Your pepperoni recipe is what made me love TVP. (It rhymes!)

Yogi Kitchen said...

I think, as you say, everything in moderation. We use TVP and wouldn't be without it, but at the same time as it seems kind of processed I wouldn't want to use it too much. Thanks for sharing the nutritional breakdown and some facts on it. Makes me feel it's pretty healthy ...now on for the Sloppy Jo-ins!..

aimee said...

Hi Joni (Love your burger book, btw)...it has been my understanding that Soy Curls are not tvp...they are the whole bean with fiber, fat and everything. They can easily be crushed to more resemble the texture of tvp and used in the same way. I use soy curls in any recipe that calls for tvp and have always had success. To hell with the haters! the jerks...

Joni Marie Newman said...

Yes, soy curls use the whole bean, but they are still textured, and the nutritional make up is almost exactly the same. I love soy curls...and cry a little bit every time I run out.

Katie said...

Yeah, tell them to suck it! If someone has an allergy, that sucks but it still doesn't make a book bad because it uses whatever the person is allergic to.

Tanya said...

I've made these already a couple of times.....LOVE it!! Awesome recipe :)

Anonymous said...

Making your sloppy joe recipe tonight. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I'm new to all this, pardon my ignorance but I can't figure out what is inherently wrong with soy. It irritates me when I see any cookbook review on amazon where the poster claimed a problem with the book due to their dislike of a dish. I once read a review on a very low fat cookbook where the poster complained the food needed more fat. sheesh. It used to p*ss me off to see recipes reviewed on a message board, the poster would say how they changed the recipe to improve it, then still say it s*cked.
Hopping off soapbox now... I just found this website and love it. The pics are mouthwatering. I haven't tried a recipe yet but I have cooked for years, and have reached the point I can look at a recipe and tell if it will taste good or not. These look amazing and can't wait to try them. Please never change, especially for a few... no, I can't say that... I'll just say... nope, that either. never change for a few d*ckheads. Cheryl in Texas

Joni Marie Newman said...

Cheryl, I couldn't agree with you more! Thanks for your support :)

Yash Goyal said...

Nice article about the recipe i like it but use healthy oil in this.Please start using Deffated Soya Flour | mustard oil in your food fat free oil.It is quit common in India now days.

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All recipes written by me, Joni Marie Newman, unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to refer to or link back to any of my recipes, but please ask for permission, and remember to give credit when reprinting recipes in their entirety. I do provide links to affiliate programs (such as Amazon) in which I receive a small commission for items purchased. I do not provide paid reviews. All reviews done on products or books are of my own unsolicited opinion. On occasion I may receive a book or product to review. I will note when this is the case, but rest assured, it will not affect the authenticity of my review. Thanks!--Joni