TSP

I was shopping yesterday in the bulk food section, and discovered this magical little thing.  TSP.  Texturized Soy Protein.  It crunches like grape nuts, but really has no taste.  You can add it dry to cereal, rehydrate and use as substitute ground beef, add to chili, or as I did tonight, used it instead of bread crumbs in my turkey florentine meatloaf (thanks eggface).  It ups the protien significantly and has no effect at all on taste.  Seriously worked amazing.  You apparently can get chicken and beef flavored too, but what I got was no flavor.  I seriously love it.  Its de-fatted soybeans.  You have to check it out.  Maybe you all know about it already, but its an amazing discovery to me!!!!  I found it in the bulk bins at Winco. 

Textured Soy Protein

Most of the new soyfoods entering the market place contain textured soy protein, also called TSP (or textured vegetable protein, TVP). Textured soy protein can be made from soy flour, soy concentrate or soy protein isolate, but only textured soy flour is readily available for consumers to buy. The wide array of soy protein ingredients, when re-hydrated, resembles cooked ground beef or poultry in texture and may be used alone or with meats to make a wide variety of products.

In the Market

Textured soy protein (TSP) may be unflavored, meat or chicken flavored, and appear in chunks, slices, flakes, crumbles or bits. This soyfood may be bagged or sold in bulk primarily at natural food supermarkets, food cooperatives, buying clubs, health food stores, or the natural foods section of traditional supermarkets. Some TSP sells through direct mail or online shopping. Many convenient, dry entrée mixes include textured soy protein with additional herbs and flavorings.

Retail Suppliers

• Clofine Dairy & Food Products – Textured Soy Proteins (mail order)

Give Me Five

1. Add dry ground beef-style textured soy protein (TSP) to homemade chili along with a little extra tomato sauce and/or water. Season as desired.
2. Make a meatless sausage and egg burrito by using reconstituted sausage-style TSP crumbles along with scrambled eggs in a whole wheat flour tortilla. Serve with salsa.
3. Use chicken-style TSP strips for zesty chicken fajitas.
4. Add chunks of beef-flavored TSP to potatoes and vegetables when making a hearty stew.
5. Enjoy sweet and sour chicken made from TSP chicken strips or chunks and serve over soy angel hair pasta.

In the Kitchen

One cup boiling or ho****er, broth or stock poured over 1 cup of small granules will reconstitute in five to 10 minutes. For larger chunks or slices, use 2 cups of liquid to 1 cup of chunks/slices and simmer for 20-30 minutes until tender, but not mushy. TSP granules or flakes can be rehydrated in a microwave, by covering the moistened granules and cooking on high for about five minutes.

A pound of TSP will equal about three pounds of ground beef. One cup dry TSP reconstituted in one cup liquid yields about two cups. Unflavored textured soy protein easily assumes the flavor of other liquids and foods. It combines well with ground meat or poultry, or can appear alone in favorite recipes.

Unflavored textured soy protein will last indefinitely if stored in a dry, airtight container. Stored the same way, flavored TSP will last at least one year. Both can be available for use at any time. Once rehydrated with liquid, TSP should be refrigerated or frozen until used. Refrigeration preserves the reconstituted TSP for only a few days and freezing preserves it for 3 to 6 months.

Nutrition Highlights

Textured soy protein is at least 50 percent protein. Unflavored textured soy protein is very low in sodium. Textured soy protein is an easy and inexpensive source of dietary fiber, soy protein, and naturally occurring bio-active components, such as isoflavones. Isoflavones are being studied in relationship to relieving menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, maintaining healthy bones, and preventing prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers. The content and profile of bio-active components varies from product to product, depending upon how much soy protein is in the food and how the soy protein is processed.

Textured soy protein is a healthy high quality protein source that contains all essential amino acids needed for growth. This high quality protein comes without fat and has no cholesterol and little or no saturated fat.

In addition to the quality of soy protein, scientists have found that soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and increasing the flexibility of blood vessels. The FDA has approved a health claim stating that “25 grams of soy protein in a daily diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help reduce total and LDL cholesterol that is moderately high to high."

The Making of Textured Soy Protein

A variety of processing technology permits the soy protein to be separated from oils, sugars, and dietary fiber that are naturally contained in the soybean. Generally, textured soy protein concentrates are made from the soy flour derived from de-fatted soybean flakes. Using water, heat, and pressure, the ground flour is extruded, then cut and baked to add texture. During processing manufacturers often add vitamins, minerals, colors and flavors to TSP.

NUTRITION FACTS

1/4 cup fortified dry textured, soy protein, 0.75 ounces (21 grams)
Calories	57	% Daily Value
Total Fat	0		0%
Saturated Fat	0		0%
Total Carbohydrates	6		2%
Protein	11		22%
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	3 mg		0%
Dietary Fiber	4 g		15%
Calcium	68 mg		6%
Potassium	192mg		6%
Phosphorus	155mg		16%
Folate	64mcg		16%
Source: American Soybean Association Textured Soy Protein Reference Guide
Average Total Isoflavones, 32 mg Source: USDA-Iowa State University Database and the Isoflavone Content of Foods-1999, USDA Nutrient Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service (Textured Soy Flour)
Exchanges: 1-1/2 lean meat/meat substitute Source: Based on information from Exchange Lists for Meal Planning, 2nd edition, 2002. The American Diabetes Association/The American Dietetic Association.

When I saw the heading I wondered why you were gonna talk about TriSodium Phosphate. Great for cleaning walls.....

Maybe I'll have to try some for my menopausal wife to put in her vegetable soup.

It is also called TVP (textured vegetable protein) and can be found in most grocery stores either packaged or in the bulk section. I use it all the time for extra protein in my meals.

Can you tell a difference?  I felt like it was undetectable, tastewise. :)

I haven't found it in any "flavors" around here, but I live in a pretty small area.....I have found that if I add it to my oatmeal it has a very subtle flavor of its own, not anything I can really describe, but definitely not bad. If you reconstitute it with chicken or beef broth it will take on those flavors. I use it in chili and I found it just takes on the flavor of the tomatoe and spices in the recipe.

From what I have read it can be used in just about anything. I like it a lot and have turned on my vegetarian friends to it also (though I was surprised that they didn't already know about it).

The brand I use is called Bob's Red Mill TVP, it is textured soy, it is just named different than the brand you use. It comes in a clear plastic package with a red label. Good stuff.

I'm going to get some and try making stuffed peppers with it.

I had not heard of it, so thanks so much for the info...I'm gonna look for it this weekend.

Brid 

For the ladies beware of ONE thing. Soy protein gives us extra uneeded (in most woman) hormones. That is why the guru Jillian Michaels suggests we stay away from Soy Proteins.

Jus****ch and be careful, and make sure you don't feel PMS'd all the time on it!

Shhhhhhhhh if my girlfriend reads this I will never get her to eat soy again.  She is in lust with Jillian...