TVP Recipes

TVP Taco FIlling   TVP Sausage Gravy   TVP Vegetarian Burgers   TVP Vegetarian Loaf

Little known facts about TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)

1. Made up of soybean flour
2. Has a long shelf life
3. An excellent source of both protein and fiber
4. Because it meets both economic and nutrition standards is it used in many public schools
5. Plain TVP has zero cholesterol and even flavored TVP compares well against animal meat
6. Great source of fiber, amino acids, potassium and more
7. It is extremely economical
8. Since it only takes a few minutes to re-hydrate, it can be a real time saver too!

How to Store & Use TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)

Storage:
TVP can sit in a cupboard in a sealed container for at least a year. As always, for the longest storage life it should be kept in a cool, dry place. Due to the moisture in many varieties of TVP, storage after opening is better in a dry place away from excessive heat.

How to Use:
How much water you use to reconstitute TVP will largely depend on the size of TVP you are cooking with. The small granules or bits of TVP® are easy to rehydrate: you can add them straight to soups or pour 7/8 cup boiling water over 1 cup of TVP and let it stand for 5-10 minutes.
Adding a little ketchup, lemon juice, or vinegar (acidity) helps speed up rehydration if you are in a rush.
Remember, flexibility is a key component to cooking with TVP®. You can, if you prefer, use less liquid to rehydrate it and get a slightly different feel. You can also partially rehydrate the TVP and then put it in the recipe you are cooking to absorb "some" of the liquid from the dish, and thus also the flavor. You can also change the texture of the pre-flavored items like the Taco or Chili TVP by adjusting the amount of liquid you add. This can make it more moist or chewy. TVP holds its texture and feel in things like spaghetti sauce and stews and will still be good for leftover use. Caution must be used in caring for TVP after it is rehydrated. It must be refrigerated and treated like a meat. –USA Emergency Supply