Ah, the dilemma of being an omnivore that cares about the environment. I received this email the other day:

Katie asks: "I'm trying to cut down meat consumption due to the effect livestock production has on the environment.. the problem is, some of the meat substitutes really taste bad. Do you have any recommendations?"
 
Katie, I know just how you feel. I'm still tussling with cutting meat consumption after starting to understand the environmental impact (not to mention the humanitarian issues). For meat eaters, it can be really hard to make changes, particularly if your first tests of meat substitution products aren't successful.
 
I have a few meat substitute products I've found quite palatable, but I'm sure Green Living Tips readers know of a lot more.

Let's turn this issue over to them as well!

Maybe we can help a lot of people out here instead of them forking out the cash for this stuff and hoping for the best.
 
So everyone, do you have a favorite mock meat or meat substitute you can recommend? Please  add your suggestions below .Be sure to state which country you're in as various products won't be available everywhere.

Michael's Mock Meat Picks

Here's my recommendations to help satisfy meat cravings (and  the companies aren't paying me to say this, nor are they aware I'm writing about them).

Sanitarium (in Australia) puts out some quite tasty products - and some that aren't; of course that's my personal taste.

The products I really like are Not Burgers and Tender Crumbed Schnitzels. They are very quick and easy and the Not Burgers come up great on the barbecue. We've tried these out on a few diehard meat eaters and they all enjoyed them.

The major ingredient is TVP - which stands for textured vegetable protein. TVP is defatted soy flour, a by-product of soybean oil production. It is high in protein and low in fat.

These products are heavily processed and have their share of preservatives and colors, but I'm just focusing on the lesser of the two "evils" environmentally speaking - just about satisfying that craving for meat. I'm sure the cows, pigs, chickens and sheep would prefer I did too :).

Sanitarium also make Not Bacon, which is ok taste-wise, but the texture can be a little like cardboard when you fry it - it should be fried very lightly. It is particularly good in potato salad!

Sanitarium also have a range of soy based sausages which to me are reminiscent of sawdust, but the rest of the family seems to like them.

In terms of canned stuff, Sanitarium's Casserole Mince is pretty good in lasagnes, tacos and other recipes in place of ground beef.

One other brand I recommend is Fry's. I've only tried their burgers so far, but they are wonderful. I mean really, really good; to the point that I have have no need to go back to meat based burgers.  I never thought I'd come across something that isn't just a compromise, but an equal in terms of taste. My only gripe with Fry's is that they are made in South Africa (really piles on the food miles) and that each burger is individually wrapped in plastic, which I'm assuming is because of the shipping issue. I'd really like to see the company start up a facility locally.

Fry's also recently cut the fat and salt in their products by 60% - I didn't start buying their burgers until after the change, but I don't find the burgers bland at all.

Update: Michael Jeffrey kindly offered the following recipe for mock meat patties.

"Although patties like Not Burgers by Sanitarium are delicious, you can also make wonderful patties at home- very inexpensively and simply.   There are just three things to remember.  Something bulky.  Something protein.  And something to bind it together.  For example:

Something bulky:  You can use left-over well-cooked rice --- or mashed potato -- or cooked Silver Beet/Spinach -- or mashed vegies from the night before --- or small pieces of wholemeal bread (crumbed in a blender) --- or grated carrot  -- or mashed pumpkin.

Add Something protein: e. g.  2 tablsp. of Millet Meal (fine) -- or Brown Rice Flour -- or Almond Meal -- or Sunflower Meal --- or L.S.A.  (Linseed, Sunflower and Almond meal)  -- or Ricotta Cheese -or Grated hard Cheese -- or mashed Tofu (best done in a food processor).

Something to bind it:  Two beaten eggs -- or Egg-Like Powder with water -- or melted cornflour and gravy powder --  or Spinach Dip.  The mixture has to be thick. 

Add herbs and a little salt and pepper to taste. Form into patties with the hands.  Place in fry pan.  Sprinkle with Sesame Seeds or other seeds (delicious!)  Fry on both sides until set.  You can make a lot of patties for a coming party, or enough for two dinners and lunch.  Keep them in the freezer or fridge."

So, over to you folks - please make your mock meat recommendations below, and don't forget to include your country so we don't send others looking for items that likely won't be available to them!