http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textured_vegetable_protein

regarding portable stoves there are many threads in the archives here about DIY stoves and pop can stoves specifically but the one that seemed to have most in-depth instructions was the penny stove: http://www.jureystudio.com/pennystov...einstruct.html I haven't made one myself but it seems well thought out. Pretty cheap to make if you root through the recycling at a bar or something.