So you don’t eat Meat | Sizzling-Bacon

So you don’t eat meat – there are other forms of bacon which are not made from meat or game. Why not try some of these alternatives?

Vegan & Vegetarian Bacon Alternatives

For Vegans and Vegetarians, bacon replacement alternatives are somewhat restricted. Although bacon is not really the healthiest food choice one can make, bacon is still one of the most loved foods the world over.

In the very simplest of terms, Vegans adopt a lifestyle of respecting animals and do not eat any animals, e.g. chickens, cows, fish, pigs etc or eat products derived from animals such as dairy milk, dairy cheese, eggs or gelatin. Vegetarians on the other hand do not eat the flesh of any animal, but may still eat products which come from an animal.

Breadcrumb “Bacon”

Breadcrumb “Bacon” can be made by sautéing breadcrumbs in olive oil until they start to brown, then add some spices such as chili powder, paprika, pepper and nutritional yeast to add some flavor.

Alternatively whisk some eggs & milk in a bowl, and mix some flour, salt, pepper (or other spices) in another bowl, then dip the bacon in egg mix before coating in the flour mix & fry the strips to your desired level of crispiness.

Coconut “Bacon” is made from unsweetened coconut flakes mixed together with salt and spices then baked in the oven to achieve a flavor and consistency that’s outstandingly similar to real bacon. There are variations in each recipe, but characteristically they include liquid smoke, maple syrup, salts or spices and soy sauce. You can substitute, chipotle powder or smoked salt for liquid smoke if you prefer. After baking, very little of the original coconut flavor remains having been replaced with the glorious intensity of the smoke and spice instead; resulting coconut bacon is crisp, slightly oily and full of morish flavor – careful you don’t succumb to the “potato chip effect” and eat the lot in one sitting. It is ideal as a condiment for salads, sandwiches, soups or any other dish which you like to dress up a little bit.

Eggplant “Bacon”

Eggplant “Bacon” is made from the ever-popular vegetable – eggplant (Australia, Canada, New Zealand), or aubergine (Ireland, Quebec, UK) or brinjal (South Africa, South Asia). Prepare a marinade of black pepper, garlic powder, liquid smoke, olive oil, maple syrup, paprika and soy sauce, then toss in the eggplant which has been cut into strips. Place the marinated strips on a rack to allow excess marinade to drip off before placing on baking paper and cooking in the oven for approx. 40 minutes. Allow to cool, then enjoy.

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Rice Paper “Bacon”

Rice Paper “Bacon” can be very realistic in appearance and is made entirely from plants. Mix up a marinade black pepper, garlic powder, liquid smoke, maple syrup, olive oil, paprika and soy sauce. Cut the rice paper into 1 inch strips or wider if you prefer and dip the strips into a bowl of water. Allow any excess water to drip off & before dipping the strips into the marinade and laying them on baking paper. Bake in the oven till they reach your desired crispiness or approx. 6-8 minutes.

Seitan “Bacon” is made from hydrated wheat gluten. Seitan is produced by kneading wheat flour with water to develop sticky strands of gluten protein which gives this form of bacon a chewiness similar to real bacon. In addition to Seitan, add black pepper, canola oil, chilli powder or garlic powder or onion powder, liquid smoke, maple syrup, paprika, soy sauce and yeast flakes mixed well and kneaded for 10 minutes. Form into a rectangle or square and loosely wrap in foil before steaming for approximately 20 minutes to make a tasty bacon alternative.

Shiitake Mushroom “Bacon”

Shiitake Mushroom “Bacon” sensational at soaking up flavors means this form of bacon is the perfect addition to pizza, potato skins, salads or soups. Create a marinade of black pepper, garlic powder, liquid smoke, maple syrup, olive oil, paprika, soy sauce and salt. Toss the mushrooms into the marinade, then spread onto backing paper before baking for approximately 10 minutes.

Tempeh “Bacon” is a fermented soybean creation, which similar to the Shiitake Mushroom “Bacon”, can absorb the flavors of the seasonings it is cooked with. Texture can be varied by cooking either thinner or thicker strips. Mix up a marinade of black pepper, garlic powder, liquid smoke, maple syrup, olive oil, paprika, soy sauce and salt. Slice the Tempeh (or Tofu) into strips of desired thickness and place onto baking paper; brush the strips with marinade, turn the strips over and brush the other side too. Bake for approx. 20 minutes or until it reaches desired level of crispiness.