In the early days of my vegetarianism, there were very few veg meat substitutes on the market, other than tofu and a frozen veggie burger whose taste was very similar to that of the cardboard box it came in. (Not that I ever tried the box.) When I did want to sink my teeth into something “meaty”, I would often turn to boxed mixes for foods like falafels and tofu burgers. As more and more veggie meats came onto the market, the mixes seemed obsolete. I’m more health conscious now than I was years ago, and I don’t eat very much processed food so I don’t eat very much in the way of veggies meats anymore. I do, however, love the idea behind neat, a healthy replacement for meat. It’s so healthy and simple that I don’t mind what might seem like back-stepping by using packaged mixes to make veggie meats once again.
neat is a meat replacement mix that is derived from nuts, beans, oats and spices. Not only is it cruelty-free, it’s soy-free and gluten-free as well. It’s easy to make, and while it does have a hint of the “healthy” about it, it tastes great. Instructions for preparation on the package say to mix neat with two tablespoons of water and two eggs, but I used 2 tablespoons of ground flax and 8 tablespoons of water, and my neat mixed up nicely. After mixing, you can either form into patties or break it up into crumbles. Neat cooks quickly and only needs about 7 to 9 minutes in a skillet on medium high heat.
neat mixes come in four varieties – original, Mexican, Italian, and breakfast. The original neat works great for making burgers or crumbling into stews and chilis. The Italian mix is great for making “meat” sauces, using as a filling in lasagnas, or rolling into neatballs. The Mexican mix works really well as a taco filling, and it’s also fun to crumble over nachos with guacamole and vegan cheese. The breakfast mix has a flavor that resembles sausage, and it can used to make patties, tofu quiches, or a breakfast hash. I used added my package of neat breakfast mix to a tofu scramble for a tasty weekend brunch.
neat is a healthy alternative to meat substitutes, and it’s an excellent food to take with you when traveling to not so vegan-friendly locales, as it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, the way most veggie meats do. neat can be prepared exactly as the package describes, or you can get creative with it, and whip up your own culinary masterpieces. It can be used in just about any way that ground beef can.
The nice folks at neat have been kind enough to offer a 4-pack of neat mixes to one lucky Chic Vegan reader. Follow the instructions below to enter. U.S. residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight eastern time on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 Good luck!
I’ve never heard of this brand. I’m very excited to try it!
I think I’d definitely have to make some sort of quinoa breakfast casserole with the breakfast neat!
Neatballs would be great! I’ve been searching for a soy-free veggie burger so this would be perfect for that too!
I would love to use this to make some neatballs!
It’s been forever since I’ve had spaghetti and meatballs, so I am pretty sure that’s the first thing I’d make. Then I’d try my hand at hamburgers. YUM!
ooh ooh i’d love to try the breakfast!
i would add the original neat to a vegan mac & “cheese” recipe to make it a heartier main dish!
Tacos. So many tacos.
I’ve never tried neat and am eager to see what it tastes like. I normally use Boca crumbles (for tacos/spaghetti sauce and eat the frozen burgers so it will be a nice change to try these! I hope they sell them near me as I’ve never seen them in stores 🙁
I would love to make taco salad!
Tacos! 🙂
The meaty stuffed green peppers of dinner’s past would be my first go! Then, oh man….the possibilities are endless….
I’ve never had casserole before, so maybe this would be a good excuse to try it!
I would definitely start with tacos!
Oh I’ve seen this product, but I thought it was out of the question because it uses eggs. I would probably make nachos first. I’m never not in the mood for nachos!
I’ve not heard of this brand…. Looking forward to trying in pasta with some capers and olive oil!
I would love to make some neat balls! Also, tacos, and a breakfast casserole too. Oh man, so many options!
taco salad for sure!
Tacos or burritos.
I’d definitely make a chili or vegan bolognese sauce. Thanks for the giveaway!
Always looking for soy-free/vegan stuff so I can actually cook the same food for the whole family! I’d probably do a Bolognese sauce first..
Excellent! This is the first time I’ve heard of them, but it sounds interesting. Especially the healthy part!! Thank you for offering!! I’d try the Mexican in tacos. Sounds yummy!!
I have the Mexican version at home, and am definitely excited to try the sausage one!
I would love to use the breakfast mix to make some breakfast sausage sandwiches. Although, that breakfast hash you mentioned sounds amazing. I would also love to use the other mixes to make some amazing hot dogs mixed with veggies.
I’d love to use neat in lasagna. Thanks for the chance to win! ☺
I would use the breakfast flavor and make done nest biscuits & gravy!
I just saw this at the store for the first time today. I’d make tacos 🙂
spaghetti sauce!
Vegan Chili!
I would make a neat sausage kind of breakfest scramble!
I first got to try these a year ago at Natural Products Expo and really enjoyed the Mexican preparation they offered it in. Would love to experiment with the various flavors at home!
I would try to make a vegetable stir fry with this and also I agree that tacos would be great to make.
I would love to make a family recipe we call Mexican dip, basically a 7 layer dip, with the taco neat.
I would make burgers and impress all of my non-veg friends and family 🙂
I think I would try tacos first.
Looks absolutely delicious!! I can’t wait to try it!! I’d make something for breakfast or maybe nachos!!
This looks great! Since it takes a few days to make my patties (sprouted beans, sprouted quinoa, beets, herbs, spices), which have to be sprouted, blended, and dehydrated, this would be so much quicker. I’d follow Dianne’s lead, and blend with flax seed and water. Health and peace.
I would use it on nachos or in a wrap!
totally curious about neat and all the ways i could use it!
Thanks for introducing me to this brand. I’m excited to try it.
I’d make chili.
I would make ALL the NEAT dishes!!!!
I like the previous idea of Mac n cheese!
faux meats usually weird me out, but i like that it’s made with whole foods! i’d probably do a stir dry or tacos 🙂
I would make sloppy joes!
This sounds wonderful for breakfast!
I’d make so many things including shepherd’s pie
Tacos!
I’d make neatballs, taco filling, a burger, and a breakfast sandwich…
I am always excited to try a new vegan item, looking forward to this one!
I would make tacos and nachos!