You've tasted them, right?
You're right, the closest they can get, but not a perfect substitute. I've just noticed I feel slightly defensive and a bit militant about this whole subject, probably because I spent most of my life being awkward and odd and an outsider just for being a vegetarian. Sometimes I wished I was black or gay. So I'm just gonna stop.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 10:44, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

I ate vegetarian food maybe four nights a week growing up.
We had extensive gardens and consequently enormous quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables - but what we ate weren't 'fake' versions of meat dishes, they celebrated the vegetables rather than trying to make them seem like meat.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 10:48, Reply)

The main reason I started eating meat
is because I was bored to death of vegetarian food. I welcomed the availability of substitutes because they increased the ingredients available. I think my point is that although they don't stand up to their meaty inspiration, as ingredients for vegetarians they're perfectly reasonable and good for increasing variety.
Edit: and omnivores that moan about them are banging an already very dented drum.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 10:52, Reply)

Fair enough.
I had meat to liven up my diet....
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 10:54, Reply)

So do I, now!
*high-fives*
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 10:57, Reply)