Many people become vegetarians for health reasons or for ethical reasons. Some miss the hearty stick-to-your-ribs taste and texture of real meat, however, while trying to maintain a strict vegan diet. By incorporating textured soy protein into your dishes, you can have the best of both worlds - the taste of real meat and the benefits of soy.

Several companies market the product, and one of the most adaptable is Morning Star Farms' Meal Starters, found in the frozen food section at many grocery stores across the country. Meal Starters looks and tastes like cooked, crumbled ground beef and can be used in almost any recipe that requires hamburger meat or ground beef.

The crumbles can be added to spahgetti, vegetable-beef soup, chili, tacos, and casseroles. It provides high-quality protein with a fraction of the fat inherent in real hamburger. It's also much more convenient. You don't have to stand over a hot stove browning ground beef because the soy crumbles are already cooked. All you have to do is toss a package of Meal Starters in your spaghetti sauce or soup as it simmers. Or, if you prefer, pop them in the microwave for a minute or two to thaw before adding to your dish.

Meal Starters will keep for months in the freezer, so they're great to keep on hand for quick, easy, healthy meals. Your family will swear they're eating real meat!