Question of the month: what's your opinion about soy mock "meats"?

THEY MAKE MY LIFE EASIER

Personally, I love faux meat products. They are a great source of soy protein, most are low in fat and they're full of flavor. They're extremely versatile and also a snap to prepare, which is a lifesaver in these busy times.

I love that VT has been including more recipes featuring faux meat. Your magazine features healthy meals, so it follows that those that contain faux meat will be healthy as well. This is not always the case in a "basic cookbook." Also, basic cookbooks are not really as useful as vegetarian recipes because cooking with meat analogs is not exactly the same as with meat itself. Faux meat products contain much less fat than the real thing, so seasoning may need to be adjusted accordingly, and cooking times as well.

My advice for those of you who don't like meat analogs: Leave them out! We're vegetarians, and we have plenty of experience with that concept.

Chessa Grasso Hickox

Via email

Having "faux meat" (and dairy!) products available allows me to recreate some old favorite family recipes--the comfort foods of childhood, and traditional holiday and special occasion foods--without using meat. It's great to be able to experiment with the various substitutes available now. Many times, friends and relatives can't tell that it's not "real!" Keep the meat-substitute recipes coming!

Lea Kiapos

Via email

You've ask how we feel about mock meat soy products, specifically in regards to recipes you have published. I am 29 years old, just learning how to cook beyond pasta, and work a 50-hour work week in New York City. I don't have the time, confidence or patience to experiment in the kitchen as much as I would like to. 1 really appreciate your recipes, which are thought out, well written and delicious. Please keep them up!

Betsy Perez

Via email

I am 100 percent in favor of using mock meat soy products in recipes. I use them often when we have guests. Even though they know it can't be "real meat" in our house, they are more comfortable with the appearance of something familiar. It allows me to make more traditional dishes that contain "meat" for non-vegetarians. Further, since the "fake meat" products are most often soy, it's a healthy and complete serving of

protein. So, I say yes to using fake meat products. Each of us can either use them or not as we choose.

Melanie Carniglia

Arnold, California

I like mock meat soy products. I've only been a vegetarian for 5 years now, and as a child, I was raised in a very meat-and-potatoes household. A lot of people, including my meat-eating husband, don't understand why I would enjoy eating something that tastes like meat. Well, the answer is simple: It's not dead. Guilt drove me to vegetarianism, and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

Jennifer Dugan

Via email

THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE IN MY DIET

I look forward to receiving Vegetarian "Times each month, but I have to admit that I am disappointed in the increased use of soy meat substitutes in many of your recipes. Whenever I see a meat substitute in the ingredients, I immediately stop reading it and go on to the next recipe. I understand that there are vegetarians who like the taste of meat in their diets, but I'm not one of them.

Karla A. Waugh

Via email

I'm tired of seeing recipes that call for "sausage," "bacon" and other meat analogs. These are expensive convenience foods that I don't generally buy unless I'll be feeding a non-vegetarian who might appreciate them. I never liked real sausage, bacon, etc., so why would I want to cook with their imitations?

Catherine Castellani

Via email

I use Vegetarian Times as a resource for totally vegetarian recipes. Every cookbook has recipes easily adaptable by replacing meat with a meat substitute, but good vegetarian recipes are hard to find. I love a hearty recipe that is original, easy to make and not a mock of some meat eaters' version.

Carol Chapple

Via email

I am not too interested in recipes containing mock meat. Clearly, there is not an ethical issue here, but having been a vegetarian for many years, I have simply lost even the taste for meat. I prefer recipes (including those with soy products) to be flavored by herbs, spices and sauces, not "meat flavor." I think it's a great idea that you are soliciting readers' opinions on this--many people may like the availability of "mock meat," and it certainly offers variety--it just isn't my personal taste.

Catie L. Deines

Via email

I am a vegetarian who loves animals, and I choose not to eat them! I deserted my carnivorous diet several years ago.... I love VT, but lately I've begun to dislike the increasing number of articles and recipes that include imitation meat products.

Soy products are great natural nutritional sources, but I urge you not to characterize them as meat-like supplements for vegetarians. We are happy with our veggies and tofu!

S.L. Drummond