Audrey is a vegetarian and has been for a couple of years now. She is serious about it and I totally respect that. So Wednesday night before Thanksgiving she determined that she just had to have a Tofurkey (tofu turkey) for Thanksgiving day. She called around, found one, and we went and picked it up. Now to be fair, my mom and Joanne has planned a totally vegetarian Thanksgiving with the exception of the turkey and the gravy. Everything else was meat-free (green-bean casarole, stuffing, mashed potato, sweet potato, ect.. But Audrey was determined! So we went out at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday night and bought a Tofurkey.
The thing is basically a loaf of tufo with stuffing in the middle. It comes with some sort of sauce, like vegetarian gravy i guess. So we cooked this thing up and sliced it up and I have to say it didn't look to bad, So I had a plate of food and then as promised to Audrey I served myself up a nice thick slice of Tofurkey. If I had been paying attention I would have noticed that Audrey had taken exactly one bite of her Tofurkey. So I take a nice big bite...and almost lost my cookies! It was...awful!
Have you ever eaten tofu? I have and if it is done right it can be pretty tasty. This was not. It was basically a blob of tofu with a little turkey flavoring added and a little coloring added in to make it look turkey-like. Everything about it was bad. And even Audrey, who really, really wanted to like it thought it was inedible. So into the trash with the Tofurkey and a lesson learned: Tofu--you can dress is up but it'll still always taste like tofu.
Toben
I have to say I am a tofu fan, but only when it is being tofu and not dressed up as something else. You just have to look the tofu in the eye and say, "you are tofu, do not try to be turkey," and then everything turns out okay. You are a brave dad and I am proud of how you guys are supporting Audrey's choices. My dad, 20 years into me not eating meat, is still in denial. Has she been to John Holly's - lots of choices she will love! Miss you guys!
Posted by: Wendy | November 26, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Someone brought tofurkey to the Thanksgiving Day dinner we participated in also. It turned out to the joke of the evening. Thank goodness I didn't try any! And I'm a former vegetarian.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Posted by: Kim Feth | November 26, 2012 at 08:38 PM
I'm a vegetarian too- I made a veggie strudel from my veggie times magazine and enjoyed a few sides- made thanksgiving really good this year. I didn't have to pretend to eat meat. I am glad you support her- it is hard enough without support. Kudos on the effort.
Posted by: Kay Logan | November 26, 2012 at 08:56 PM
I laughed so hard. Not in a nasty way just in a ewww, how yucky way.
Posted by: dawn | November 27, 2012 at 04:28 AM
I had tofurkey once. It was SO gross. I think a tire would've better. It's great you tried it but I is truly one of the worst foods (if you can call it that) out there.
Posted by: Sarah | November 27, 2012 at 01:42 PM
I feel for you, these big occasions can be hard, here in the U.K we have something called Quorn which looks and tastes a little like chicken by the time i've smothered it in gravy and added my cranberry sauce, i don't know the difference ! Well done to Audery it's not always easy. Have a look through the recipes on line if you can and enjoy the journey!
Posted by: Pamela | November 27, 2012 at 01:45 PM
My niece had tofurkey at our house for thanksgiving. She left it in our fridge. I tried to feed it to our dog and he wouldn't eat it. Our dog eats anything. I am so sorry that you took a big bite.
Posted by: Lisa Rowe-Peplinski | November 27, 2012 at 05:10 PM
Ugh--I don't know if you remember, Toben, but we have always been mostly vegetarian ("flexitarian") since our marriage, and it started because of Doug's family. They were vegetarian and it was just a great fit for me too when I married in. Anyway, Doug's mom used to be completely gung-ho about the worst foods--she was totally into fat free, so would buy disgusting things like fat free cream cheese and fat free ranch dressing (both of which are abominations), and yes one year did a Tofurkey! But I noticed she only bought one for one Thanksgiving. No one said it was gross, but she never bought one again, and no one has ever mentioned it. Its like it never happened. ; )
Oh, and MIL also loved to buy veggie sausage patties (those aren't bad, depending upon the brand) and veggie sausage links. The latter are so bad our dog Macey would not eat them. And she would eat her own poop.
Posted by: lisa craddock | November 28, 2012 at 10:20 AM
From one vegetarian to another - step away from the tofurkey. ;-)
Stuffed acorn squash is delicious for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Posted by: Kristen | November 28, 2012 at 03:23 PM
OK, I don't feel so bad. Sounds like Tofurkey is universally disliked. The thing about Thanksgiving is that so many of the sides can be prepared vegetarian. Believe me, Audrey had plenty to eat even without the Tofurkey!
Posted by: Toben | November 28, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Oh I would have loved to have seen your face! You're right, some tofu recipes should never make it out of the starting blocks - so to speak. I love scrambled tofu (and yes - I do eat eggs). If Audrey is interested in the recipe give me a yell.
Sheree
seaweedandraine(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: Seaweed & Raine | December 02, 2012 at 05:34 PM