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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Vegan Mofo: Isa's Helping Hand

Before going vegan in '04, I subsisted mostly on packaged, processed crap. I was vegetarian, but that didn't stop me from buying boxes and boxes of macaroni and cheese, packaged rice mixes, and even Hamburger Helper. I'd add ground veggie burger in place of the ground beef for a quick (and cheap) week night meal. Even though I'm sure it was loaded with hydrogenated oils (I didn't even know what that was back then), white flour pasta, and tons of ingredients I can't even pronounce, I remember it tasting pretty damn good.

So when I saw Isa's Tempeh Helper on the Show Us Your Mitts PPK blog, I knew I HAD to make it:


Isa subs crumbled tempeh for the ground burger, quinoa pasta for the seminola-laden stuff, and even tops the dish with a noochy sauce. Remember how some of the Hamburger Helper flavors came with a package of cheese topping powder? The cheeze sauce — which was just your basic nooch, flour, garlic powder, water deal — really made me feel like I was eating the boxed stuff I used to love.

And much like Hamburger Helper, Isa's version (recipe is here) came together in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
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19 comments:

  1. Jen TreehuggerOctober 14, 2009 at 1:27 AM

    Mmmm yummy. That looks so good.

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  2. The Voracious VeganOctober 14, 2009 at 1:38 AM

    Oh my! That looks so perfect. Quick tasty and delicious? I think I have to make this!162

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  3. vegan.in.brightonOctober 14, 2009 at 3:34 AM

    That looks awesome, I've been meaning to try this recipe for ages!

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  4. JohnPOctober 14, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    I've been carrying this recipe around in my satchel since Isa posted it - meaning to try it. I have to hurry up!

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  5. JuliaOctober 14, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    Looks awesome. I didn't see this recipe until now so thanks for posting!

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  6. JenniferOctober 14, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    Wow. Yours looks SO much more delicious than Isa's! Now I want to make that!

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  7. GinaOctober 14, 2009 at 7:41 AM

    I saw that...it sounds super yummy. At the same time though, I've never had the regular hamburger helper, so I don't think it'd conjure up any memories.

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  8. Susan GOctober 14, 2009 at 8:56 AM

    Oh, I always love that cheeseburger macaroni back in the day!

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  9. DebraOctober 14, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    Looks like something my kiddos would love- thanks for sharing!

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  10. CarrieOctober 14, 2009 at 9:37 AM

    When I was a vegetarian I LIVED off of Hamburger Helper...and Betty Crocker instant scalloped potatoes! (no wonder I was heavier and unhealthy!)....I'll have to give this a try...it looks delicious!

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  11. jessyOctober 14, 2009 at 11:16 AM

    we never had hamburger helper growing up - nor did i have it when i went veggie (what was wrong with me - it sounds like something i would have puffy hearted the most!), but my mother made the most delicious tuna casserole when i was wee - and it sounds similar. her casserole one of my favorite dishes! isa’s tempeh helper looks comforting and most delicious, Bianca – i’m fo ‘sho gonna have to give it a whirl! hooray!

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  12. noraOctober 14, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    Oh yum, I reallllllly wanna make that! I never had hamburger helper though in my life, thank god haha

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  13. AOctober 14, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    That sounds a lot like me...... I just didn't realize what that "bad" stuff was. Glad you found a great HH replacement!! :D
    -A

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  14. AnonymousOctober 14, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    I haven't had Hamburger Helper since I was a little kid, but I remember liking it. I may have to try Isa's recipe sometime for a little nostalgia.

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  15. UnknownOctober 14, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    Looks so so tasty


    Jenn
    Head Cabbage:HelloVeggie.org

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  16. Sal - AlienOnToastOctober 14, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    ooh that sounds awesome, i'm going to have to give it a try.

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  17. Whitney @ Lettuce LoveOctober 14, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    Looks great! I was a total junk-food vegan/vegetarian for years too.

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  18. CynOctober 14, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    Oh man, I totally need to make that. It looks so tasty.

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  19. MaryOctober 15, 2009 at 9:52 PM

    I've never had hamburger helper, but tempeh helper sounds really tasty and comforting.

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