"Meat Magic" is a dried meat substitute made of soy and wheat protein. It mimics the texture and strands of beef. "Meat Magic" is available in Manila, particularly at the vegan grocery store, "The Vegan Grocer" in San Juan.
To use "Meat Magic" in Mechado and other dishes, you have to prepare it ahead of time. There's a strong wheat taste if you use it directly. To remove the wheat or "cardboard-like" taste, follow the steps below:
For two cups of "Meat Magic", boil it in 4-6 cups water with ¼ cup vinegar and few pinches of salt. Boil for 3 minutes then once cool to touch, squeeze out the moisture. Season with ¼ cup vegetable broth and 4-6 tablespoons soy sauce. Remove from the seasoning and squeeze out the liquid. Fry in pan with oil over medium heat until all sides are darker and firmer.
Alternatively, you can also soak "Meat Magic" in lemon water for at least 30 minutes and squeeze out the liquid. Repeat the process two more times in new batches of lemon water.