If you’ve been reading this column, then you know that I’ve effusively extolled the virtues of Quorn, the non-soy chicken (and turkey, beef, etc. but mostly chicken) alternative. I’m obsessed with it and think it’s the greatest thing to happen to vegetarians since Ruby Tuesday started serving veggie burgers (before they started to suck hardcore). So while my heart still lies with Quorn, I’ve recently found another damn good chicken substitute: Morningstar Farms Grillers Chik’n Veggie Patties.
I was wary at first, because I’ve long hated Chik Patties (Both the Morningstar and Boca varieties). I assumed that these would just basically be Chik Patties without the breading; which would be an improvement, but I doubted it would light my world on fire. Needless to say, I was wrong.
The stringy, mealy texture of Chik Patties have always bothered me, and I’ve never been particularly fond of the breading either. With the Chik’n Veggie Patties, the breading is, of course, gone, and the patty itself is firmer and juicier than the previous chik’n products. It’s flavorful and is, in fact, the bomb when grilled with some Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Now on to the nitty gritty:
Unlike Quorn, the Chik’n Veggie Patties are soy products, so if you’re against soy for one reason or another, then this isn’t for you. However, if you’re just looking for vegetarian options in general, or are watching your weight, then step right up. These little suckers only have 80 calories and 3 grams of fat. Not only that, but they have 9 grams of protein. While 9 grams isn’t spectacular, it’s not too shabby either.
The other benefit of these little guys is that because they’re made by Morningstar Farms, they’re considerably easier to find than Quorn, which in certain areas, can be damn near impossible to get your grubby little hands on. Plus, Morningstar Farms are among the cheapest of the vegetarian options, so they’re definitely more budget friendly.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with products like this, but may think you want to give it a whirl, here’s a friendly bit of advice: the instructions lie! Most people are hip to this, but it’s the meat eaters who always seem to put their Boca burgers in the microwave. Do not do this! If you do, it will end up smelling and tasting like, as Luke puts it, school lunch. Always cook stuff like this either on the stove or on the grill.
My super-secret spy tip though, is this: if you’re going to cook them on the stove, pop them in the microwave for 45 seconds before you throw them in the pan. That seems to ensure that they’re cooked best all the way through, and get crispy and delicious on the outside.
Before any of you get your knickers in a twist, Morningstar Farms is not paying me to write this, either in cash, or in sweet, sweet, Chik’n Veggie Patties. I’m just here to share The Good News. With that said, if Morningstar Farms or anybody else wants to send me some products to “sample,” then OHMYGODYESDOITPLEASEI’MSOHUNGRYRIGHTNOW. Until then, I’ll be in my grocery store and on the lookout for more vegetarian goodness.
Clacked by Kona Gallagher 
on Jul 21, 2009 @ 13:23 EST5EDT
