Press Release -- WORRIED ABOUT MAD COW DISEASE? -- The Vegetarian Resource Group

For: Immediate Release June 1, 2001
Contacts: Davida Breier (410) 366-8343
Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.

WORRIED ABOUT MAD COW DISEASE?

The Vegetarian Resource Group suggests these alternatives to beef.

Mad Cow Disease, a disease that attacks the nervous system of cows, appears to be transmitted to people who eat beef, and possibly mutton, from infected animals. It leads to a brain-wasting disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. One way to reduce your risk of getting this ailment is to eliminate beef and mutton from your diet.

Foot-and-mouth disease, which has also been in the news recently, generally does not appear to pose danger to people, even if they eat infected meat.

Worried about Mad Cow Disease? The Vegetarian Resource Group suggests these alternatives to beef.

INSTEAD OF GROUND BEEF, TRY:

1) Bulgur added to spaghetti sauce or chili gives it a texture similar to using ground beef.
2) Lightlife’s Gimme Lean, Yves Ground Round, or other ground beef look- alikes found in natural foods stores or larger supermarkets.
3) Cubes of frozen, thawed firm tofu - freezing tofu gives it a chewy texture.
4) Crumbled, firm tofu. Sauté in oil and add to recipes in place of ground beef.
5) Crumbled commercial veggie burgers.
6) Tempeh, found in natural foods stores, is made from fermented soybeans pressed into a solid cake. Tempeh can be fried, marinated and grilled, or baked in sauces.
7) Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) found in the bulk foods section. Rehydrate with 7/8 cup of boiling water per cup of TVP and use in chili, tacos, Sloppy Joes, spaghetti sauce, and other dishes.

INSTEAD OF HAMBURGERS, TRY:

1) Meatless veggie burgers from the frozen or refrigerated foods section of the supermarket. See Vegetarian Journal for a review of veggie burgers.
2) Tofu burgers or chickpea (garbanzo bean) burgers.
3) Grilled vegetables on a bun.

INSTEAD OF BEEF CUBES OR STRIPS, TRY:

1) Seitan, also called wheat gluten or wheat meat, found in natural foods stores (you can buy a mix to make your own or buy already prepared seitan).
2) Tofu cubes or strips marinated in soy, barbecue, or other sauce.

Many vegetarian cookbooks have recipes for using these products. Two of our favorites are Simply Vegan (ISBN 0-931411-20-3) by Debra Wasserman and Reed Mangels, and Conveniently Vegan (ISBN 0-931411-18-1) by Debra Wasserman. Also helpful for the new vegetarian is the 272 page Vegan and Vegetarian FAQ - Answers To Your Frequently Asked Questions (ISBN 0-931411-24-6). To order any of these books, contact The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203 or visit .

CAJUN-SPICED TOFU BURGERS
(Makes 6)

These burgers are a bit spicy. If you prefer a milder flavor, simply reduce by half the amount of Cajun seasoning used.

1-1/4 pounds firm silken tofu, drained
2 carrots, peeled and grated
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
One 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
1-1/2 cups fine bread crumbs or matzo meal
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 teaspoons oil

Place ingredients (except oil) in a food processor bowl and blend until well mixed. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick frying pan. Form 6 large, flat burgers with mixture and brown burgers for 10 minutes on each side. Serve warm with lettuce on a whole wheat bun.

From Conveniently Vegan by Debra Wasserman. Published by The Vegetarian Resource Group. Conveniently Vegan (ISBN 0-931411-18-1) is available for $15 from The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203. Call (410) 366-8343.

The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization which educates the community about vegetarianism. It publishes Vegetarian Journal, Vegetarian Journal’s Foodservice Update, and other materials. A one year subscription to both Vegetarian Journal and Foodservice Update is $30. Call (410) 366-VEGE (8343) for more information or to join over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard, or visit the website to become a member online at www.vrg.org.

Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans do not eat meat, fish, or fowl, and do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs. For information about vegetarianism or veganism, send a self addressed stamped envelope with two first class stamps to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203. Visit their web site at www.vrg.org.

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PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203
(410) 366-8343 Email: [email protected]

Last Updated
May 18, 2001
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