Veggie Bits
Honey, Sans Bees
Drizzled over waffles, stirred into a hot cup of tea, or baked into muffins, Bumble Bloom's luscious honey alternatives will instantly sweeten your mood. Each of Bumble Bloom's four flavors — Classic, Cardamom, Ginger, and Cinnamon — boasts an all-organic ingredient list and a perfect honey consistency that clings to the spoon. The Cinnamon variety packs the most intense olfactory punch, with a warm, enticing aroma that hits as soon as you open the jar and invites you to spoon a hefty dollop into your oatmeal or spread it thickly across toast. The distinctive flavor of the Ginger mock honey sparks thoughts of sesame noodles and glazed carrots and begs to be added to your next stir fry. The rich, sweet Cardamom was an instant favorite for the whole crew, inspiring pairings with masala chai, spiced banana bread, or even simple apple slices. And, of course, the versatile Classic works with each of these and more. Move over, maple syrup — America's about to have a new favorite Canadian import! Sold in stores in Canada; ships worldwide from www.seebumbleinbloom.com and www.vegansupply.ca.
Written by Virginia Slothour-Hudnall.
Converted by a Pizza Burrito
Call me a microwave burrito skeptic, but I'd say it's nearly impossible to get a Hot-Pocket-style convenience food right. There's a temperature factor. There's a mess factor. You're wondering if you'll bite into an icy center or a molten-hot-lava one. You're wondering if the wrapping will hold up or if the innards will burst right through. And after all that, will the taste be worth it? Well, worry no longer: Alpha Foods cuts straight through the crowd with a line of savory, cheesy indulgences that will put all your fears to rest. Double-wrapped in a soft but sturdy tortilla that handily maintains its integrity, these burritos strike all the right notes. There's a drool-worthy cheesy, beefy Mexicali flavor and a spicy Chick'n Fajita — let your mind wander even a second after biting in, and you'll forget it's vegan. Also, there's a delightfully sausage-and-cheese-centric Pizza burrito with just enough grilled peppers, onions, and mushrooms to make your day and a deliciously meaty but well-balanced beef-style Philly Sandwich. Each burrito is modestly sized, which may be Alpha's secret to avoiding the temperature pitfalls of its competitors — but don't be fooled: they're more filling than they look. Throw one of these incredibly flavorful burritos into a lunch box with a bag of pita chips or a handful of carrots, and even the hungriest snacker will be satisfied all day. Available at select Walmart locations in the U.S. Find one near you at www.alphaplantbased.com/store-locator.
Written by Virginia Slothour-Hudnall.
Chef's Paradise
Creative cooks rejoice: Tofurky's got your back! Living an animal-product-free life no longer means missing out on getting handsy with your vegan protein. With Tofurky's new DIY line, you now have access to recipe-ready ground hamburger, Italian sausage, chorizo, and breakfast sausage — all of which taste just like the real thing.
Roll up your sleeves and start forming patties or sausage links or add as a crumble to pastas, casseroles, chili, and more. Mix in your own spices or add straight to any recipe — you'll be delighted by how easy these are to work with. Tofurky brings the same savory, full-flavored goodness with notes of black pepper and fennel to the DIY version of its Italian sausage as to its classic sausage links. It would be an ideal addition to any vegan pizza. The breakfast sausage is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings, with a hint of maple syrup that will leave you craving pancakes, and the DIY chorizo is great for tacos, enchiladas, or an addition of Southwestern flair to any variety of dishes. Fashion homemade hamburger patties with the ground beef, whip up some Sloppy Joes, or go full-comfort-food with a made-from-scratch meatloaf. Whether you're making paella or breakfast burritos, these delicious DIY vegan meats are sure to enhance your meal.
To find Tofurky products at a retailer near you, go to www.tofurky.com/find-a-store.
Written by Virginia Slothour-Hudnall.
Upton's Ch'eesy Mac
For vegans, it isn't always easy to find comfort food at the grocery store — let alone delicious, easy-to-prep, and easy-to-store comfort food. Upton's Naturals hopes to change that with their tasty Ch'eesy Mac and Ch'eesy Bacon Mac products. Each meal includes shelf-stable, precooked pasta accompanied by a generous packet of thick, cheesy sauce; just add to a frying pan and cook until golden brown, or combine in a bowl and microwave. These savory mac 'n cheese alternatives feature a particularly hearty pasta and enough scrumptious sauce to smother each noodle in rich, muted gold. It's not quite perfect enough to fool your friends, but it's more than cheesy enough to satisfy your cravings! Available online and in stores. Find locations near you at www.uptonsnaturals.com/where-to-buy.
Written by Virginia Slothour-Hudnall.
Ode to Ravioli
It's hard to describe Kite Hill's new pasta; "heavenly" doesn't even come close. The company's mastery of almond milk-based cheese is elevated to the next level in this incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make line of meals. Whether you adore veggies or merely tolerate them, whether you perk up at the sight of vegan cheese or run the other way, you're certain to fall in love with Kite Hill's new ravioli. Bite into the Mushroom Ravioli, and you'll be immersed in the taste of sweet whipped ricotta paired expertly with savory sautéed portobello and shiitake, seasoned with fresh garlic and folded into a handmade artisan dough. Taste the Spinach Ravioli for the same sublime experience, but creamier — and somehow even more tantalizing — with sautéed spinach and roasted garlic poised to seduce even the most jaded taste buds. You'd never guess such an exquisite dish was vegan. Available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Publix, Target, and other retailers. Visit www.kite-hill.com/where-to-buy for a location near you.
Written by Virginia Slothour-Hudnall.
The Chocolate of Your Dreams
Dear Coco turns the "wow" factor up to 100 with their new Explore Peanut Butter chocolate assortment, featuring rich, silky Peruvian peanut truffles with a touch of heat, heavenly salted caramel, and peanut turtles that strike an intense, perfectly-blended sweet-and-salty note simultaneously. It also includes satisfyingly chunky PB&J cups with just the right dried-cherry-to-dark-chocolate ratio, a delicious and delightfully creative peanut-toffee-and-Old-Bay chocolate bar that's everything you never knew you wanted, and a mouthwateringly enormous "Colossal Classic Peanut Butter Cup" that beats anything you ate as a child — no contest. These fantastic award-winning vegan chocolates will leave you raving to your friends. Buy online or find a retailer near you at www.dearcoco.com.
Written by Virginia Slothour-Hudnall.
The Beyond Burger
Beyond Meat's The Beyond Burger is one of the best vegan burgers we've tasted in quite some time. Based on pea protein, each burger contains 20 grams of protein. These burgers do not contain soy or gluten and are GMO-free. They are easy to prepare: simply pre-heat a grill or pan to medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes on each side. You are told to not overcook the burger, and the interior of the patty will still be red or pink when fully cooked. We couldn't help but notice that the burgers sizzled while cooking and appeared juicy when done. One teenager we know sampled the burger and couldn't wait to share them with his non-vegetarian friends! These incredible burgers are sold through Amazon Fresh, Target, and several supermarkets. For other locations to purchase these burgers, visit www.beyondmeat.com/store-locator. They are also available at many chain restaurants, including Bareburger, BurgerFI, TGI Fridays, and Veggie Grill.
Written by Debra Wasserman, VRG Co-Director.
