Children of the Quorn (Quorn Mince)

Member Name: xBorgx

Product:	Quorn Mince
Date:	20/10/09 (79 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Healthier option to real mince.

Disadvantages: None

When it comes to food reviews, I find it hard to think of what to say. How can you enthuse over taste and texture so much to fill out a five hundred word review? How can one heap praise over smell and simplicity so much that the late and great Keith Lloyd would be impressed? Yet I have wanted to talk about Quorn for a while and I simply must let it out. It is like a volcano wanting to erupt and blast its lava upon the Earth. Well, here's my Volcano folks, here's my Etna, my Vesuvius...

First of all, I am not a vegetarian. I tried it for a while, but I have this weakness for bacon, chicken, for Big Macs (only occasional ones) and for sausages (yes, I know what goes in them, but I choose to ignore this, I buy quality ones anyway). However, I don't really care for the fattiness of mince meat, nor its rubbery taste. My friend once suggested Quorn to me, don't really know why she did. Maybe it's because she is a vegetarian... So I tested it out and I liked it!

I am not saying that I plopped a bit it a pan, heated it and ate it and thought, 'Yes, cool!' On its own it is pretty bland, but what do you do with your mince? No, you don't eat it on its own, do you? I first put it into a bolognaise sauce and, quite frankly, could not tell the difference between my new found Quorn and real mince. I have since gone on to do more creative things (see the recipes later in this review).


~Quorn - what is it then?~

Let's get it straight from the horse's mouth hey? As per the Quorn website: 'Mycoprotein, the main ingredient in Quorn, is naturally low in fat, including saturated fat (which can contribute to poor heart health). It's also relatively low in calories overall.'

~But what is this myco-thingy-majig?~

Well (again, according to the website): 'Mycoprotein is the main ingredient in all Quorn products. It's made from a member of the fungi family (like mushrooms and truffles) and is a high-quality meat-free protein that's naturally low in fat, with very few calories. It's high in dietary fibre (important for your digestive system) and has the essential amino acids your body needs, with no cholesterol or trans fats at all.

'This means that Quorn ingredients and meals tend to be lower in saturated fats and calories than similar foods made with meat - as well as being delicious! Our expert chefs really know how to get the best out of mycoprotein, allowing them to create our wide range of ready meals, grills, sausages, burgers and deli slices, as well as cooking ingredients like mince, strips and pieces.'

So, it's mushroom type of thing. And it also includes (runs to the freezer, takes a packet out and pops it onto his computer desk and hopes it doesn't defrost): rehydrated free range egg white and roasted barely malt extract. Those salt weary folk (like me) may like to know there is just 0.2g of salt per 75g serving. (Takes the Quorn back to the freezer).

So now you know what goes into the Quorn, I guess you ought to know more of taste and texture and smell and simplicity...

Taste... Basically, it tastes like how your sauce will taste...

Texture... very much like mince, yet leaner and more edible...

Smell... see taste...

Simplicity... extremely simple. Add it to your sauce, and you can use as much as you need... no need to freeze half a pack, take out the packet from the freezer and just add, then put it back. Simple!

Price? Roughly £1.89 at your average supermarket, but you can sometimes BOGOF or find other such deals.

I have evolved from putting my Quorn into a Ragu sauce and I now find pleasure from creating all kinds of recipes, I have listed a few below for you to peruse before I go...


~Spaghetti Bolognaise:~

(Must thank Gizmogizmo for her original recipe for this...)

Ingredients:

Quorn Mince
Onion
Mushroom (optional, my kids don't like them, so I don't bother).
Tin Chopped Toms
Sage
Mixed herbs
Tube of Tomato puree
Glove of garlic (add more if you are a garlic fiend)
Spaghetti

Directions:

Chop onion, garlic (thinly or crushed) and mushroom and fry in a large pan until soft. Add the tin of chopped tomatoes and roughly half a tube of tomato puree, plus the sage and mixed herbs. Simmer for about half an hour. Add the Quorn mince. In a separate pan boil your spaghetti. Serve. Lovely! Maybe add some grated cheese here.


~Chilli Con Carne~

Ingredients:

Quorn mince
Tin Chopped Toms
Tin of red kidney beans
Sage
Mixed herbs
Tube of Tomato puree
Two Chillies (add more if you think you're hard enough)
Rice

Directions:

Chop up your chillies (finely) and add to tin of tomatoes in a large pan with the sage and mixed herbs. Add half a tube of tomato puree and add your red kidney beans. Boil and simmer for half an hour then add the Quorn mince. Boil the rice and serve. As an option serve with pitta bread too. Delicious...


Oh, the prospects are endless... I have used it as a filling for pies (Quorn mince, onions, oxo). I have had it with vegetable and potatoes. But the best things about Quorn mince is that you can use as little or as much as your would like.


Bon appetit...

Summary: Quick, healthy... tasty!