I will occasionally make burgers by adding large quantities of mashed potato flakes or grated carrot to the meat. Not bad. My sister has been vegetarian for decades. She makes a good vegetable patty but it does not try to mimic the taste or texture of meat. I have nothing against processed products that do mimic it, they are better than they once were. It is debatable if they are healthier.
I am curious what exactly ‘plant based’ means. It’s strikes me as similar to, ‘cheese food product’. (Which was devised folllowing a lawsuit by actual cheese makers calling foul. The producers actually start with real cheese, but when they’re done processing, no actual live culture remains, hence not technically cheese!)
It’s the ‘based’ word that’s tripping me up. Why wouldn’t they just say ‘it’s partially plant!”
Unless…I don’t know what, really.
It’s closer to sawdust than plants, maybe?
I hesitate to indulge till I know more.
Sigh. Never thought much about that, but I’m certain that you are probably right.