Details Behind My Vegan Giniling Recipe
Vegan Giniling Recipe – In Tagalog, “giniling” means ground meat and is a key ingredient in various Filipino dishes. It commonly refers to a specific dish made with ground meat, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and raisins. Giniling is versatile, allowing for different meat options like pork, beef, chicken, or veggie substitutes. While the classic version uses ground beef, you can create delicious variations like pork giniling. One notable feature is its long shelf life, making giniling a convenient and lasting favorite in Filipino homes, often enjoyed during holidays and celebrations.
When making a vegan version of this dish, there are different ways you can go about it. Tofu is just one of many ways you can make a vegan alternative of the Filipino classic.
Additional Notes on my Vegan Giniling Recipe
Can you make vegan giniling with vegan meat? The answer is yes. If you prefer a plant-based alternative, you can use plant-based ground meat substitutes such as OmniPork, Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, etc., instead of tofu for a heartier giniling dish. Should you decide to stick with tofu, there are different tips for making this dish better. For example, if you choose to freeze the tofu overnight, the water expansion during freezing creates a unique consistency. This results in a denser texture that makes it “meatier” and skips the need to press tofu.
If you didn’t freeze the tofu, you will need to press it to remove excess water. Once you press the tofu, drain excess liquid, crumble it, and wrap it in a cheesecloth or thin kitchen towel to remove water. For added texture and meatiness, consider including dried TVP or texturized vegetable protein. This step is optional, and you can adjust the amount to achieve your desired texture. If you’re more TVP, remember to add extra water, broth, or stock to maintain the dish’s ideal consistency.
Other Vegan Alternatives to Classic Dishes
There are many Filipino classic dishes that you can make vegan with the right ingredients. One of these dishes is tapa. Tapa is thinly sliced meat cured with salt and spices, commonly enjoyed in the Philippines. A popular way to savor tapa is through the Tapsilog method, involving a combination of tapa, eggs, and garlic rice. Alternatively, there’s Tocino, originally akin to Spanish bacon but transformed by Filipino innovation during the Spanish colonization. In the Philippines, Tocino has evolved into a sweet, garlicky, and peppery dish, featuring pork belly as the main star. When making vegan tapa, it is best to use mushrooms for a similar consistency.
Another option is the vegan variant of Filipino Spaghetti. Filipino spaghetti may look like traditional spaghetti, but it has a distinctive flavor. Unlike the typical tomato-based sauce with herbs and spices, Filipino spaghetti incorporates a sweet undertone. The sweetness comes from banana ketchup, a popular condiment in Filipino cuisine. This unique spaghetti variation is further characterized by toppings such as cheese and sliced hotdogs. Banana ketchup adds richness to the red sauce, creating a delightful blend that sets Filipino-style spaghetti apart. The best way to make the vegan alternative is by making use of vegan meat.
Similar Filipino Classics
If you are curious about other Filipino classics that use ground meat, there is embutido. Embutido is a Filipino meatloaf made with ground pork, hard-boiled eggs, and a mix of delicious ingredients. It’s a popular dish for festive occasions like Christmas and fiestas. You can steam or bake it and serve it hot or chilled. Enjoyed with banana ketchup or a sweet sauce, embutido includes unique elements like raisins, sweet pickle relish, cheese, pineapple chunks, and sliced pimiento or bell peppers. Cooking it in aluminum foil is crucial, and while it can be sliced when hot, chilling it first ensures it stays intact.
For something that can have variations, you can try sisig. Sisig, a popular Filipino dish, is typically served sizzling on a metal plate and features a mix of pork and chicken liver. Best enjoyed with rice and topped with an egg, sisig’s traditional ingredients can be replaced for alternative and healthier options. For those seeking a lighter choice, tuna can substitute for the meat. If you’re in the mood for a beefy twist, beef sisig offers a flavorful alternative by replacing the protein with beef, providing a unique and delightful variation in taste.
Overall there are a variety of Filipino classics to try and many vegan variations of them that you can make.
