From Soya Chaap Kebabs To Jackfruit Tacos: 5 Plant-Based Meat Alternatives To Try This Season

From Bollywood celebrities to sports personalities, people are embracing healthier and sustainable eating habits, consuming plant-based meat alternatives. It is gradually becoming a favourite meal option across kitchens. These vegetarian options offer satisfying texture and taste, without compromising on nutrition, whether you are observing seasonal fasts, restricting heavy or fatty foods, or just cutting down on meat. From smoky soya chaap kebabs to juicy jackfruit tacos, these innovative dishes are both exciting and delicious. Here are five must-try plant-based meat alternatives to try this season, by Sanjeev Kapoor and The Pesky Vegan. 

Plant-Based Meat Alternatives To Try This Season

Soya Chaap Kebabs

Soya Chaap Kebabs are a popular North Indian vegan dish. Made with high-protein soybean chunks and flour, it offers meat's chewy texture, which is low in fat, aids digestion, and helps to lower cholesterol. 

Ingredients for Soya Chaap Kebab

• 4-5 Soya Chaap sticks

• 2 tbsp Butter

• 2 tbsp Oil

• ½ cup Thick Curd (Hung Curd)

• 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste

• 2 tbsp Roasted Gram Flour (Besan)

• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice

• 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder

• ½ tsp Turmeric Powder

• ½ tsp Garam Masala

• ½ tsp Chaat Masala

• ½ tsp roasted cumin powder

• Salt to taste

Soya Chaap Kebab Recipe

• Boil the frozen soya chaap for five minutes to soften, and pat dry, removing the sticks. 

• Cut them into bite-sized pieces and lightly saute the chaap chunks until golden.

• In a large bowl, mix hung curd, ginger-garlic paste, besan, lemon juice and all the dry spices.

• Mix the fried chaap chunks into the mixture and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.

• Cook the mixture with a little butter until charred and crispy

• You can sprinkle some chaat masala and squeeze a fresh lime for the finishing touch.

Jackfruit Tacos

Raw jackfruit mimics shredded meat beautifully. Cooked with spices and sauces, it makes for delicious taco fillings with a tender, pulled-meat texture.

Ingredients for Jackfruit Tacos

• 2 cans of Jackfruit, drained and shredded

• 1 Small Onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Green Pepper, chopped

• 1 tsp Chilli, chopped

• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika

• 1 tsp Cumin

• Salt

• Small corn or flour tortillas

Jackfruit Tacos Recipe

• Sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft.

• Add the shredded jackfruit and fry till golden.

• Add the dry and liquid spices to the sautéed jackfruit and cook on low for about 10 minutes until it gets to caramelised edges.

• Char the tortillas and add your filling

• Top it up with fresh coriander and lime juice.

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Mushroom Galouti Kebabs

Mushroom Galouti Kebabs made with finely chopped mushrooms bring a juicy, soft, flavorful, and great vegetarian twist on classic meat dishes.

Ingredients for Mushroom Galouti Kebabs

• 500g Button Mushrooms

• 2 tbsp Ghee

• 1/2 cup fried onion paste

• 1 large Potato (boiled, peeled, and mashed)

• 2 tbsp Roasted Besan

• 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste

• 8-10 Cashews Paste

• 1 tsp Garam Masala

• 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder

• 1/2 tsp Shahi Jeera

• Salt

Mushroom Galouti Kebabs Recipe

• Heat 1 tbsp of Ghee and saute the minced mushrooms until they release their water and dry completely.

• Mix the sauteed mushrooms, fried onion paste, cashew paste, ginger-garlic paste and all the spices in a bowl.

• Add the roasted besan and mashed potatoes to form a mix that holds shape, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

• Grease your palms with ghee and make thick patties of the mixture.

• Pan-fry the patties in a little ghee until it forms a dark crust.

• Serve hot with your favourite dip.

Falafel Patties

Packed with protein and fibre, these patties are perfect for burgers or wraps. They offer a hearty bite and can be customised with herbs and spices.

Ingredients for Falafel Patties

• 1 cup soaked Chickpeas

• 1/2 cup Oat Flour

• 1 small Onion

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 1 tbsp soaked flaxseed

• 1 tsp Cumin

• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika

• 1/2 tsp Turmeric

• Salt

• Black Pepper

Falafel Patties Recipe

• Coarsely grind the chickpeas.

• Add chopped onions, minced garlic, soaked flax seeds, spices, herbs, and lemon juice to the chickpea and lentil mixture in a bowl.

• Rest the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes

• Shape them into patties and pan-fry them for five minutes per side.

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Tofu Stir-Fry

Tofu absorbs flavours easily, making it a versatile meat substitute. Whether stir-fried or grilled, it delivers a satisfying texture and high protein content.

Ingredients for Tofu Stir-Fry

• 400g Extra Firm Tofu

• 2 tbsp Cornstarch

• 2 cups Mixed Veggies

• 1 tbsp minced Ginger

• 3 cloves of garlic

• 1 sliced Onion

• Salt to taste

• 3 tbsp Soy Sauce

• 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar

• 1 tbsp Maple Syrup (or honey)

• 1 tsp Sriracha

• 1 tsp Sesame Oil

• 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds

• 1 tsp Green Onions

Tofu Stir-Fry Recipe

• Pat dry the tofu, cut them into bite-sized pieces and toss them in cornstarch and salt as per taste.

• Heat 2 tbsp of oil and fry the tofu pieces until golden

• Fry the onion, garlic and ginger until soft

• Add mixed veggies and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes

• Whisk the liquid ingredients together, pour them into the pan and let them thicken for 30 minutes.

• Add the fried tofu and mix everything.

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