Re:How long have you been a vegetarian * Lawanna

May 2, 2008

I would

miss my soul food and fall off the wagon, then I

decided I could try black-eyed peas and greens and

cornbread in vegetarian versions.

I don't know how everybody else here feels about this product, but I have

read the label on the bottle I have of " Liquid Smoke " , (I think it's actually

called " Wright's Liquid Smoke " , and I don't see anythng related to " animal " on

it. I have put this product (going gently! Small amounts, and tasting how it

is) into something like cooked blackeyed peas or almost anything with beans in

it. I love that flavor it gives--kind of " bacon-y " , --without using bacon.

Last night I made a beans-and-rice dish and snuck in about a

half-teaspoon of liquid smoke. It just gives food the mellow flavor that, well,

traditionally, has been in some bean dishes in the form of " bacon " , " fat-back "

or " streak-o-lean " smoked meat (smoked FAT!). I've been doing this for a long

time, even longer than before the " meat " left the bean-pot at our house, and

mainly because I am older, have more of a weight problem, and " bacon grease " of

any kind has simply become a non-option, health-wise.

I have also used, from time to time, a " hickory smoke-flavored salt " ,

but at least one of the brands is hard to find and the other one I've used has

MSG as an ingredient--I don't " do " MSG, either!

Anyway, I wanted to toss this idea out to let you know you can get some

of that " traditional " flavoring and (as far as I can tell) it won't violate your

vegetarian conscience. Liquid Smoke flavoring in foods gives that nice " smoky "

flavor without using any meat, without having to add any " grease " !

Wishing you the best with your food adventures!

--Laura B., in Illinois

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

May 2, 2008

Liquid Smoke: I use it VERY LIGHTLY and it does give a meaty flavor, but if I

use as much as they say, it taste like kerosene to me.

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