In a world of soy burgers and veggie dogs and marinated tofu, tempeh has been left out of the recent soy food evolution. Made from fermented whole soybeans (unlike tofu, in which the skin of the beans is removed) tempeh retains a rich taste and texture. It’s firm and hearty and almost mushroom-like in flavour, owing to its "cultured" history. It’s high in protein, made from natural ingredients and low in fat too.
But Turtle Island Foods’ Smoky Maple Meatless Bacon has changed the way people eat tempeh. Once relegated to dishes requiring marinades and long cook times, tempeh is now available in seasoned strips, ready to top a burger or sandwich. It stands up to intense frying pan or barbeque heat, and stays crispy after cooking. This tempeh bacon has lived up to expectations people have of the company that makes Tofurky products.
Smoky Maple Meatless Bacon Has a Rich Flavour
No vegetarian food tastes like real pork bacon. The extra grease and texture can’t (and probably shouldn’t) be copied by “facon” impostors. But tempeh bacon is good in its own right. The flavour is smoky and slightly sweet – a perfect (if somewhat healthier) substitute for the flavour of real bacon. It does have a slight aftertaste and isn’t as appealing looking as it could be. But overall, the taste is mild yet flavourful.
Serve Smoky Tempeh Bacon as Part of Mixed Dishes
For meat-eaters, tempeh bacon might be disappointing for the lack of grease and a slightly thicker, less crispy texture. It may not be up to the standard of “regular” bacon as a side dish, but it’s most welcome in other mixed dishes. Try:
- A TLT with mayo, tempeh bacon, lettuce and tomato
- Crumbling some cooked tempeh bacon onto nachos or a pizza
- Scrambling some tempeh bacon into scrambled eggs or scrambled tofu
Cook Smoky Meatless Tempeh Bacon Thoroughly Before Eating
Unlike most soy products, tempeh must be cooked thoroughly before eating.
Tempeh Bacon is High in Protein and Low in Fat
Tempeh is one of the healthiest soy foods. Less processed than tofu, tempeh retains the fibre, iron and protein found in whole soybeans. With 130 calories per seven-slice serving and only one gram of fat, its 12 grams of protein are vegan and lean.
Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Ingredients
Organic soybeans, water, shoyu soy sauce (water, soybeans, wheat, salt,
bacterial culture), molasses, maple syrup, natural smoke flavour, autolyzed yeast extract, salt, potato maltodextrin, gum arabic, organic apple cider vinegar, bacterial culture
(Rhizopus oligosporus).
For more information about tempeh and tempeh bacon, visit Turtle Island Foods, Inc.
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