the Happy Vegetarian

Last week, I handed in my request to become Dutch. It’s been 6 years in the making. I’ve studied hard, learned the language and even — gasp — ‘integrated’.

I love the Netherlands — and try to do just about everything to prove “just how Dutch I am”.

Today, I did one of the MOST stereotypical Dutch things. I’m slightly ashamed, but I believe you should try everything at least once:

At the grocery store, while trying to choose between all of the ready-to-go vegetarian choices that have sprung up recently — my eye caught the bright sticker taunting me: “Try for Free”.

Of course, me being soon-too-be-Dutch: who could pass up such an offer?

I grabbed the package of Alpro Filets and headed to the checkout. Of course… you have to pay for it upfront… but no big risk I figured: I love their soy milk and tofu, so this should be equally delish.

When I got home, I eagerly fried up the fillets, anticipating the juicy tenderness. I must have been daydreaming about dinner a little too long as I slightly burned the fillets on one side. I then flipped them over and somehow managed to lose the breaded coating on the other side. I placed the fillets on a bed of salad and potatoes for presentation points. I immediately dug in with my fork.

I hate to say it, but I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I LOVE the idea that there is a 100% vegetarian ‘meat replacer’ at our grocery store. It contains no eggs or dairy — a HUGE plus point. Yet on the other hand, I was disappointed by the taste. Granted, I did slightly burn one side, but the fillet had a bit of a strange aftertaste.

My Dutch co-eater suggested that I should indeed mail in the coupon for my rebate. And I did just that. A few weeks from now, I am expecting the whopping €2.49 back into my Dutch bank account.

Man! I wanted to like these sooOOooOOo much!

I will give their other products a try, because as I stated above: I love their soy milk and tofu.

Technorati Tags: Alpro Soy, Becoming Dutch

Filed under: Food, Urban Garden on September 26th, 2008