I recently picked up some Gardenburger riblets because a carnivorous friend of my vegan mom said they were the one veggie food she kept eating after breaking up with her veggie boyfriend. They are still in the freezer, but I look forward to trying them. I will have to check out the Morningstar Farms buffalo wings, though an awful lot of Morningstar stuff is full of cornstarch.

Eta: Smart Dogs are my favorite veggie hot dog, though trader joe's veggie corn dogs are of the yum

Not a vegetarian, but I really like Smart Dogs. Taste like real hot dogs to me, but without the fat and nitrates and stuff. Curious among those who like veggie hot dogs any brand/style preferences?

For ones to make in the microwave, I like Smart Dogs. For the grill, the absolute best are the "Grill-Ready" Smart Dogs. (I think they may have been renamed Smart Franks.) Same brand, but a different recipe -- more gluten, less soy -- and they get really nicely charred and crispy on the grill.

Your vegetarian stance is a...I want to say humanitarian, but your use of animal issues works better...one? I know it's old news that you're vegetarian, but I don't think I've ever been nosy about it before--how long have you been vegetarian?

Right. The way I generally explain it when people ask is that I don't think it's right to kill animals for food when I can easily survive without it. I've been vegetarian since I was 13.

They are still in the freezer, but I look forward to trying them.

Not sure how strong your microwave is, but when I make them, I generally go for a bit less time than the package says. If they're in there for too long, even like ten seconds too long, the ribs get rubbery and the sauce congeals. But once you figure out the right timing, yum.

I can't do the veggie dogs. It's a texture thing as much as flavor. But the Morningstar mini corndogs are pretty decent.

once someone slipped her bacon, but that's been it

On purpose? Or accidentally? My BiL once tried to give my mom venison, because he didn't believe her when she told him she was allergic. Mom noticed pretty early to avoid a violent reaction. If she'd have had to go to the ER, my BiL would have ended up there, too.

My sister tried to do vegetarian but she had a problem with cold sores so she went back to eating chicken for the lysine and other meat soon followed.

I'm an unabashed meat eater.

My microwave is totally weak, I usually have to cook everything extra. I'll start them at the recommended time and adjust.

Finding convenience foods I can eat is always exciting. When they are actually tasty, I don't know if I'll be able to handle it.

and they get really nicely charred and crispy on the grill.

I got the veggie dog habit from an ex who picked up the habit back when she'd been veggie. Generally the ones that taste nothing like actual hot dogs.

The way I generally explain it when people ask is that I don't think it's right to kill animals for food when I can easily survive without it. I've been vegetarian since I was 13.

Interesting. Thanks.

I'm the world's worst at dietary modification, no matter the issue--my health or anything else. So when people say "I'm a ..." that sets out rules for their eating it makes me pause and think.

Well, no--I do have limits. Whales, dolphins, and anything in the ape/monkey family. Those are the only non-visceral restrictions I've placed on myself. Or, perhaps, discovered I had. It's not something I've much questioned or thought through. I just wouldn't feel comfortable.

On purpose? Or accidentally?

I think it was on purpose, but that's just beastly. I'll have to ask her.

Whole wheat spaghetti is NOT delicious. Man, I thought that would be tasty and I feel like I just tried licking sawdust instead. I had such hopes.