Aldi Australia released a new plant based mince today so of course I had to get some in my hands and try it out.
The packaging says vegetarian on the front but if you flip to the back it states that the product is vegan friendly. This is not a soy* based mince, the main ingredient is actually pea protein and at $6.49 it's the most affordable vegan mince I have seen in stores.
So what's the verdict?
Appearance
On first look the mince looks very similar to other plant based minces, it's slightly pink in colour but does not have a strong smell like non-vegan mince typically has. The mince also isn't too soft that it melts, I was worried it would become mushy instead of crumbling.
Cooking
I decided to make a Bolognese style sauce with the mince and the cooking time was very quick - only 10mins to cook thoroughly and then I left it for another 5 to become more crispy because I prefer it that way. The mince mixes well with spices and sauces and crumbles or holds shape depending on whether you break it apart or press it together.
Taste
This is one of the tastiest plant based minces I have tasted, the texture isn't too tough and there is no distinguishable soy taste - it really does take on the flavours that you add to it. It's been a while since I had meat mince but this comes pretty close and I personally think it's a great replacement.
Overall
Both my partner and I really loved it, the mince isn't too heavy, is tasty, affordable and cooks really easily. I hope Aldi decides to keep it on as a permanent product.
How did I make it?
(Serves 2 -3)
Ingredients:
Half a brown onion - minced
1 teaspoon garlic - minced
oil or water to sauté
200g plant based mince
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon chilli sauce
1 teaspoon coconut aminos (teriyaki sauce)
1 teaspoon BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon cayan pepper
Half a jar vegan Bolognese sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
250g fettuccini
Method:
1. In a non-stick pan sauté onion and garlic until caramelised over a medium-high heat, add oil or water to avoid burning.
2. Add plant based mince, soy sauce, chilli sauce, coconut aminos and cayan pepper. Cook for 10 minutes and continue mixing until all spices and sauces are combined and mince is brown.
3. Reduce the heat, add Bolognese sauce and cook for another 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve with fettuccini, enjoy!
*Edit: Please note that in the original post I stated that the mince was soy based by mistake, please find all the ingredients listed below as per the Aldi Facebook Page:
Rehydrated Pea Textured Protein (Pea Protein Isolate, Pea Fibre, Water), Water, Vegetable Oil, Potato Starch, Tapioca Starch, Bamboo Fibre, Thickeners (461, 407a), Natural Flavours, Dehydrated Vegetables (Garlic, Beetroot), Psyllium Husk, Yeast Extract, Pepper, Salt, and Colour (150a).
x
Samara
IG: @samarajosephine