I have been using The Vegg, the innovative “egg yolk” substitute, and absolutely love it. I’ve made vegan hollandaise sauce, an omelet (seriously, check out the omelet…AMAZING!), and numerous tofu scrambles.
Some consider the product a little pricey (you can get it for $7.99 at Vegan Essentials) as it comes out to .50 cents a serving. Ten percent of net sales of The Vegg go to Compassion Over Killing, though.
When I first got The Vegg I checked out the label:
Ingredients: Fortified nutritional yeast (dry yeast, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12), sodium alginate, black sea salt, beta carotene [SOURCE]
Hmm. Could I whip up a homemade alternative? At least for my tofu scrambles?
I started with nutritional yeast and black sea salt, and then tapped my fingers on the counter while I pondered the options and decided to toss in turmeric for yellow color. I realize I’m not a genius to think of turmeric for color – it’s called for in almost any recipe for tofu scramble I’ve ever read.
I think I was drawn to it because we discussed Ayurvedic properties during the recent Main Street Vegan Academy that I completed. In Ayurvedic cooking turmeric is the “King of Spices.” While often believed to be curry (probably because of its color) it’s actually the essential spice, combined with other spices, that make up the spicy Indian seasoning (a common curry combo is coriander, turmeric, chillies, salt, cumin, fennel seed, black pepper, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cinnamon, cloves, anise, and mustard). Turmeric is considered a natural arthritis treatment due to its anti-inflammatory effects and it is also considered essential for liver detox. It is believed to treat the entire gastrointestinal system by aiding with digestion (particularly protein) and metabolism, as well as settling upset tummies.
But really? I used turmeric because it’s yellow.
JL-EGG
by
Ingredients (Makes 1 “egg”)
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoon nutritional yeast (powder, fortified with B vitamins, including B-12)
- 1/8 teaspoon black sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a blender for a matter of seconds (no more than 30 seconds). Be sure to blend immediately before use.
For a tofu scramble: Saute oil of your choice (optional), with garlic, onion, and crumbled extra firm tofu (pressed and drained). Blend the JL-EGG and pour into the scramble, on medium-high heat.
Let the JL-EGG cook down
to this.
I added slices of summer squash (cut in half moons) in the last few minutes; I covered the skillet, reduced the heat to low and lightly steamed the squash for just a minute or two. Salt and pepper, to taste.
I served the tofu scramble over brown rice and topped it off with Sriracha. The result?
A truly delicious, hearty breakfast bowl with a JL-EGG!
I haven’t tried the JL-EGG in anything other than a scramble and strongly encourage you to use The Vegg for sweet treats and “fancier” recipes (check out their recipe page). But for quick, savory dishes? Try it! If you do experiment with a JL-EGG, please come back here and tell us all about it!
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22 thoughts on “I made a JL-EGG! {vegan egg}”
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This is the pic you posted last week-ish? Yay! I’ll be scrambling some of this up for sure. Great idea!
Yep! It’s a fun way to add good stuff to a tofu scramble and change the texture a bit.
I’m a big fan of scrambled tofu, in all it’s varieties. I like it much better than eggs, which have always grossed me out a bit (even when I was not vegan). Love how inventive you are to think, hmmm, how could I make this myself? Thanks for sharing JL.
I have to admit that I really loved eggs – but I happily gave them up so that chickens do not have to suffer on my behalf! I know that may folks, are like you, though – never really loved eggs and definitely didn’t like the texture.
I didn’t love eggs, but my husband loved making them for me. He was a bit sad to not be able to make me eggs anymore, but now he makes me scrambled tofu & he’s not even vegan. How sweet is that.
VERY sweet!
Looks good! Have you thought about trying it with Black Salt like the ingredients have? I recently discovered Black Salt after it was called for in a recipe I was doing for a tofu “egg” salad. It really does have that sulfur smell like eggs have. It was kind of expensive but worth it if you liked that egg-y smell.
Hi Jennie – I just recently purchased black salt so I will definitely try it in my next batch!
I bought my black salt from an actual Indian market for 1 dollar.
That looks amazing!
I hope you try it, Rachel!
Oh…! I’ve been quite curious about the ” vegg” but our local WF doesn’t have it yet.
And here I find – the JL’s (these are my initials too by the way 🙂 EGG recipe! Thank you for posting it! Cannot wait to try it.
I’d love to hear what you think, other-JL! 🙂
this is unbelievably exciting. i love how you mixed up the traditional tofu scramble with the new and awesome VEGG! Go JL!
Aw, you’re one of my biggest fans, dear 🙂 xo
I agree with eveyone that this post is very exciting (not to mention freakin’ delicious) as THIS JLEGG has no sodium alginate in it. I wondered after reading this post, what exactly is sodium alginate…..look it up. It ain’t smething so great even though it sounds harmless.
The JL-EGG works wonderfully….I did add the black salt and a pinch of paprika….YUM!! Thank you so much for doing this!! It ROCKs my tofu scrambles!!! I’ve made three of them since reading this post!!!
I am thrilled that you love it! Woo Hoo! Thank you so much fo rletting me know!
Oh good idea! I usually add basically the same ingredients to my scramble but I’ve never mixed it with water first which means the flavor is VERY uneven.
Exactly! I found this to be true, too.
how does the “egg” cook without the tofu or do you have to add it to something? if so I can’t eat tofu or gluten ( so no seitan) so what alternatives can I add it to?
It’s just a seasoning mix designed to make tofu more egg-like in color and taste. I don’t have a soy-free or gluten-free alternative. I understand that both Follow Your Heart and Hampton Creek have vegan eggs coming to the market soon. Might want to check out their sites!