BBQ Flavour "No-Chicken" Chicken

Quite some time ago, my Mum sent me a "care package" that contained a box filled with legumes, TVP, and something called "So Soya Slices". Not really knowing what to do with these dried "medallions", I popped them into my freezer and promptly forgot about them.

This morning, as I was cleaning out my freezer, I stumbled across a baggie stuffed way in the back. When I pulled it out, I was delighted. It was as if the months that have passed, my mind opened up and I became
"enlightened". I knew what these dried "discs" were and had some clue what to do with them, although not much.

Most of the day, as I went about my other activities, I'd think back to this packet I'd pulled out of the freezer and what to make with them.

So Soya Slices works on the same principle as TVP, dehyrated soy flour used by vegetarians and vegans to replace meat.

"So Soya+ is a dehydrated soy product made from carefully selected, GMO free soybeans, grown using traditional farming methods. It can be used in a variety of vegetarian dishes, in recipes combined with meat or chicken, or in making baked goods. So Soya+ has no flavour of its own, and readily absorbs whatever flavours you give it, while offering up a familiar meaty texture. So Soya+ contains no additives or preservatives, no chemicals and no M.S.G. It is fat free, cholesterol free, and contains 52% protein, 30% carbohydrates and 18% dietary fibre."(If you are in Canada, you can purchase So Soya loose at Bulk Barn. You can also buy it via mail order.

Since it originates flavourless, I wondered what on earth to make with it.

So my brain kept on ticking away.

Finally I decided to hydrate them in a marinade and then figure what to do next.

So Soya+ SlicesAfter making the marinade and pouring it over the So Soya slices, I thought I'd have a little lay-down. What initiated as a little shut eye, turned into a 3-hr deep sleep! I'd only intended the So Soya to marinate for about 30 mins, an hour at most. I can't say that I was unconcerned in the least... I had no idea how it would turn out.

The "Kitchen God" must have been on my side, because they looked perfect. In fact, my husband went into the kitchen and came out all excited, "We're having chicken for dinner?!" His exclamation told me how much he was really missing meat, as much as he's been loving the vegan meals I've been preparing.

"Umm... sure!" I replied.

"Liar!" He accused.

Well, we'll see how it turns out, I thought to myself and crossed my fingers... tight!

Once I got to cooking, like a perfect symphony, intuition took over and controlled everything, and cooking this unexplored product was easy as cooking any meat item.

We were both astounded by the results. If one did not know it was not actually meat, one would not know the difference. It truly was like eating regular chicken! It was amazing! I was so pleasantly surprised and my husband enjoyed it thoroughly.

See, you CAN replace meat with vegan/vegetarian alternatives with little to no real effort, or compromise on taste.

I encourage you to try it for yourself.

Happy Cooking, Happy Eating!


Ingredients:

2 cups So Soya Slices*
2 cups boiling water
1/8 cup Ponzu - Premium Soy Dressing with Sudachi Citrus
1/8 cup light soy sauce
1/8 cup vegetable oil
5 cloves garlic
3 TBSP Hoisin sauce
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 rib celery, diced

1. In a large bowl, add the So Soya Slices.
2. In the Magic Bullet Blender (or food processor), add the garlic, Ponzu, soy sauce, and vegetable oil. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the So Soya Slices, let sit 3-5 mins.
4. Mix the other cup of boiling water with the soy sauce marinade, pour over So Soya slice and mix together very well. Let marinade for 30 mins - 1 hr
5. Heat a large pan and pour the So Soya slices and marinade in. Bring to a boil. Add onions, green pepper, and celery and cover for 5 mins.Then stir.
6. Add Hoisin sauce and stir well. Bring to a boil and turn heat off.

Cover and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Stir once before serving.

Serve over rice.

* You can probably substitute So Soya Slices with seiten or even firm tofu that has been frozen for a couple of hours, and then pressed to remove all excess liquid before marinating. If using firm tofu, reduce the amount of boiling water to 1/4 cup.