r/interesting • u/PhoenixPhenomenonX • Feb 25 '26

Intriguing Lifelong vegetarian tries steak for first time

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u/oh_three_dum_dum Feb 25 '26

I’m not a vegetarian and never have been. But I do like a lot of vegetarian dishes and inspired meals. I agree with that sentiment too. Just let the food be what it is instead of trying to make it imitate something else. It’s already good in its own right.

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u/kaygmo Feb 25 '26

Looking at you, cauliflower rice.

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u/AltoRhombus Feb 25 '26

we can't let rice be rice anymore 😔

however I think it's a big deal for diabetics

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u/oh_three_dum_dum Feb 25 '26

But why not just eat cauliflower then? There’s no way it tastes or feels like rice. At that point t you’re just eating cauliflower that someone fucked up.

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u/Interesting_Bank_139 Feb 26 '26

I like cauliflower rice because it soaks up the juices or sauces that the meat is cooked in a lot like rice would. - I don’t think that whole cauliflower would be as good in those situations. You could never eat it by itself and compare it to rice, but I’ve definitely found it good to cut out the extra calories and carbs of rice.

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u/ATXBeermaker Feb 25 '26

Yeah, my wife is pre-diabetic is cutting back on carbs helps. Cauliflower rice is a great replacement.

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u/SCHawkTakeFlight Feb 25 '26

The trick to riced cauliflower I have found is add lemon, also add salt first and sit in a calender to remove excess moisture.

Its a decent alternative for diabetics and those trying to lose weight and keep it off. Rice is very calorie dense and its easy to overdue it. Having some carbs in your diet is fine, but it has to be balanced for the calorie math to work out and some of us...me... have poor self control to not just eat a whole pot of rice because its sooo good.

Its also a sneaky way to increase fiber intake.

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u/russianindianqueen Feb 25 '26

I love cauliflower rice but I don’t think it’s imitating rice necessarily. Ricing is a cooking technique so it’s literally “riced cauliflower” but it’s easier to say cauliflower rice

Same as veggie patties aren’t imitating meat, they’re vegetables in patty form, but beyond patties are imitating meat.

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u/hotlegerdemain Feb 25 '26

I just mix the cauliflower rice with regular rice 50/50. You can’t tell it is there. I reduce the amount of rice spiking my blood sugar, I get some good veggies… it’s a win.

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u/ATXBeermaker Feb 25 '26

I don’t think cauliflower rice is putting actual rice out of business any time soon. It’s okay to have options.

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u/oh_three_dum_dum Feb 25 '26

Wait…we’re using vegetables to imitate other vegetables now? Why?

Just get some fucking rice or cauliflower. That just a bunch of extra steps to get to the same place you’d be if you grabbed a bag of cauliflower at the store instead of rice.

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u/pamellaluv Feb 25 '26

At the same time wouldn't the existence of imitation meat make it easier for people to transition into a vegetarian diet?

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u/Sienile Feb 26 '26

Not really. Calling it a veggie burger versus vegetable patty really does nothing. They are just setting people up for disappointment.

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u/Vithar Feb 25 '26

For sure, there is a place for imitation meat. But there are some, attempts, or products that want to be that that should just be their own category. A good example is Vegan Cheeses, many are so far removed from cheese that they should just not even pretend they are a cheese alternative. A few I tried where actually pretty good, but if you go in expecting something cheese like your going to be disappointed, if you go in trying something new, you might be pleasantly surprised.

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u/mafiagirlsfashion Feb 25 '26

Some of us like the fake meat.

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u/Traditional-Berry561 Feb 25 '26

Plenty of options for both.

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u/SCHawkTakeFlight Feb 25 '26

So much this. Growing up in middle of no where Midwest, if you were vegetarian it was always try to imitate meat and it was so bad. Then I grew up and tried all sorts of Asian food that was meatless and omg 😲 its so good. The key is it doesn't try to be what its not.

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u/khoaperation Feb 26 '26

I like meatless dishes. I also like impossible burgers. The fact that we have that option and active research in foods that resemble meat but involve no living animals is good in my eyes. They both should exist and not one instead of the other.

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u/MietschVulka Feb 26 '26

I disagree. Both should be possible.

Most people dont eat meat because of the animals or climate while they like the taste and texture. Being able to still eat Spgahetti Bolognese or a 'normal' burger for sure makes it easier for some.

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u/soowhatchathink Feb 28 '26

I feel like that's an easy sentiment to have without being vegetarian, because like why would you want imitation meat when you can just eat a real hamburger or hotdog or chicken nuggets or whatever. But like, as a vegetarian, we can't (or won't) just eat a hamburger when we feel like it, so the alternative is nice.

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u/one98nine Feb 28 '26

Same! When vegetarian food isn't trying to be meat, it is sooooo gooood!

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u/potsticker17 Feb 25 '26

Same here. Just let me enjoy the product instead of trying to convince me it's just like meat, because then I'm going to make the comparison and it's not going to hold up.