Veggie Bits
Polish-Style Pierogis
Pierogis are soft, doughy dumplings that generally contain cheese. Polska Foods offers a traditional Polish-style vegan pierogi stuffed with a scrumptious combination of sauerkraut, cabbage, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. In addition to being vegan, this pierogi is non-GMO and is made with organic flour. They're very flavorful and don't need sauce or salt added. Preparation is simple, and while the package suggests boiling, steaming, or frying, I prefer to bake them in the toaster oven. When steamed, the dough is tender, and when baked the dough becomes pleasantly crusty. If you choose to fry them, you may try frying chopped onions with them and serving with rice on the side. They are especially tasty with vegan cheese sprinkled on top or dipped in ketchup. The pierogis can be purchased at Whole Foods, Safeway, and Mollie Stone's, among other stores. Check out their website www.polskafoods.com, or call (800) 750-0817 for details.
Written by Kitty Jones, VRG intern.
A Different Kind of Noodle
House Foods offers a line of noodles called Tofu Shirataki, and these are no ordinary noodles. The noodles are made from a blend of flour from the konjac yam — a member of the Asian yam family — and tofu. Other companies make noodles from the konjac yam, but the added tofu in this particular product gives it a denser texture. The result is a vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and low-carb pasta alternative. One serving contains only 20 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates. There are four different varieties of noodles: fettuccine, macaroni, angel hair, and spaghetti. Preparation is quick and simple: Rinse the noodles thoroughly to get rid of the tofu smell, drain, and parboil for 3 minutes or microwave for 1 minute. Don't forget to dry the noodles thoroughly, as they can be slimy! We suggest using paper towels and pressing down gently to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Use these noodles for soup, stir-fry, pasta salad, and just about any dish that requires pasta. Try mixing in your favorite vegan tomato or alfredo sauce with some steamed veggies, and the result is a healthy and light entrée that can be enjoyed at home or on the go. Look for more recipes like Tuscan Noodle Soup and Pan Fried Noodles on their website. Tofu Shirataki noodles are available at natural food stores and select supermarkets nationwide. To learn more, write to House Foods America Corporation at 7351 Orangewood Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92841, or call (714) 901-4350. Visit their website at www.house-foods.com.
Written by Karen Leibowitz, VRG intern.
Substantial To-Go Meals
Maggie's Conscious Vegan Cuisine is making mouthwatering, hearty, ready-to-eat vegan meals a reality. I recently enjoyed a bowl of Maggie's Heirloom Bean & Veggies Chili. The meal left me feeling satisfied but not guilty because there were no added oils, salts, or sugars. This chili is nutrient-dense, low in fat, high in fiber, gluten-free, and made with nothing but wholesome goodness. Maggie's Super Saag, an aromatic blend of chickpeas, yellow curry, and spinach, has an authentic Indian taste and smell. The saag is filling on its own and comes alive when poured over rice or quinoa. The company offers seven varieties of four-serving, travel-friendly meals: Green Life (an Israeli-style blend of kale, garbanzo beans and spices), Tuscan White Bean, Kale & Tomato, Not Your Madrecita's Gazpacho, Very Good for You Korma, Heirloom Bean & Vegetable Chili, Lentils with Curry & Lime, and Super Saag. Maggie's meals are perfect for busy, on-the-go people who are, well, conscious eaters! If you can't find Maggie's at your local Whole Foods, request it! You can contact Maggie's Conscious Vegan Cuisine at (855) 834-2699 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Visit their website at www.consciousvegancuisine.com.
Written by Kitty Jones, VRG intern.
Sausages that Satisfy
Each flavor of the new Tofurky Artisan Sausages — Chick'n and Apple, Spinach Pesto, and Andouille — is packed with a diverse arrangement of spices, and is suitable for even the pickiest palate. These sausages include savory ingredients such as roasted poblano peppers, russet potatoes, spinach, and wheat berries. My favorite was the Spinach Pesto sausage, cut into slices and stirred into soup to make a hearty stew. Try the Chick'n and Apple sliced in your favorite spaghetti, or the Andouille in a hot dog bun topped with grilled onions and peppers. Unlike other vegan sausages, these don't fall apart when you slice them or have a grainy taste. Each sausage has a whopping 29 grams of protein to keep you full and satisfied. They are vegan, kosher, free of GMO ingredients, and made in small batches for a fresh taste.
Tofurky Artisan Sausages are available at select natural food stores and supermarkets nationwide. To learn more, visit their website at www.tofurky.com.
Written by Karen Leibowitz, VRG intern.
Zen in a Jar
Jen's Zen chocolate sauce is one of the best chocolate spreads I've ever had. It's a rich chocolate fudge sauce with a coconut milk base that is not only sweet, but full of flavor. Indulge in this creamy sauce as a topping for ice cream or as a dip for sliced apples and bananas, and wait for the hint of the coconut flavor to come alive. You can be sure this sauce will have you coming back for more because it is the perfect balance of ingredients for a delicious dessert topping. In addition to being vegan, this sauce is gluten-free, GMO-free, and 95% organic. Jen's Zen chocolate sauce won Best New Vegan Product at Expo West 2013, and rightfully so. Choose from three sweet flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Raspberry, and Chocolate Peppermint. Jen's Zen sauces are available at select natural food stores, or online via their website. To learn more, e-mail questions to [email protected], or call (303) 525-5997. Visit their website at www.jenszen.com.
Written by Karen Leibowitz, VRG intern.
Hurray for Hurraw!
In my search for the perfect lip balm — not too shiny, sticky or slimy, sun-protecting, and tasty — I was met with beeswax over and over again, even in brands that claimed to be cruelty-free. Enter Hurraw! These slim, colorful tubes pack a punch: they are made with all-natural, vegan, raw, fair-trade, and organic ingredients. And there are 22 flavors to choose from! Traditionalists may be content with Mint or Vanilla Bean, but at only $3.95 a pop, you can afford to try mixing it up with one of the beverage-inspired flavors, like Earl Grey, Chai Spice, or Green Tea. For a hint of color, Grapefruit adds a sheer pink and Cinnamon gives a subtle red, plus a spicy tingle. Hurraw's newest line, which is based on Ayurvedic Dosha principles, boasts unique flavor combinations. My favorite is Pitta, which is a cooling blend of lemongrass, peppermint, and coconut. Outdoor enthusiasts, whether sunning or skiing, will want to reach for the Sun Balm, which protects lips with an SPF of 15 and extra-creamy formula for longer staying power. Look for Hurraw! at a Wegmans, Whole Foods, or American Apparel near you. Or, order direct from their website: www.hurrawbalm.com.
Written by Samantha Gendler.
Pizza Crust to the People!
Even though I'm not gluten-free, Venice Bakery's Gluten-Free Vegan Pizza Crust makes my mouth water. It's tasty with vegan pesto and veggies, or classic tomato sauce and vegan mozzarella. It comes in plain or Italian-seasoned flavors. Venice Bakery also makes easy-to-prepare flatbreads that come as a two-pack. Top with veggies, tomato sauce, and seasonings for a quick appetizer or meal. They don't have artificial preservatives, and if not being used right away, can be frozen for months. Although it is not akin to a wheat-based pizza crust, this thin crust has a fantastic crunch around the edges and a flavor that pleases, whether you're gluten-free or not. The pizza crusts are available at Whole Foods in the southern California region and can be ordered online at www.venicebakery.com. For more information about this product, e-mail [email protected].
Written by Kitty Jones, VRG intern.
