Veggie Bits
Cheesy Bread at Home
Through some miraculous chemistry, this quick mix inspired by Brazilian cheese bread replicates the gooey-cheesy inside and crusty outside of animal-based cheese bread. RioGood mixes are available in Hot & Smoky, Kids' Style, Original, Spicy Jalapeñand Tuscan Rosemary. The two spicy options definitely have some kick, but the Kids' Style has no black pepper and is very mild. I was surprised at the chewy consistency. They were so yummy, I found myself eating lots of them! However, following the directions is critical to get the texture just right. I followed the suggestion on the bag and added a pinch of extra shredded vegan cheese in my second batch, and the result was absolutely delicious. The bread bites bake in about 30 minutes. All varieties are gluten-free. Buy online at www.riogood.com
Ruby Sturm/VRG Intern
Powdered Elixirs
Joya Elixir Beverage mixes are much more than just a drink. Each is loaded with complex flavors, as well as a variety of herbs and mushrooms. The varieties include Bliss, which is a cacao-based mix; Focus, which is a matcha tea-based mix; and Glow, which is a turmeric-based mix. Though all three dissolved smoothly into hot drinks, that was just the beginning. Each was a tasty stir-in for oatmeal or fruit/veggie smoothies, adding a layer of savory flavor. Focus was a nice add-in to a vegan matcha cookie, and the Bliss variety folded into vegan brownies really well. These elixir powders are sophisticated and multi-use, and can step beyond your morning latte into other foods and recipes. All varieties are gluten-free. Shop online and get recipe ideas for the powders at www.us.joya.ca
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Crunch-Crunch-Crunch
Plant Snacks is a chip made from cassava root—a tropical root vegetable from Brazil—that has been sustainably grown, harvested, cooked, dried, and sifted into flour to form tasty little squares. Plant Snacks comes in eight different flavors: Beet with Vegan Goat Cheese, JalapeñLime, Ranch, Salt & Vinegar, Sea Salt, Super Seed Mix, and Vegan Cheddar. Sea Salt is enhanced with sesame seeds, and Ranch is seasoned with onion, garlic, and spices. Jalapeñas a nice slight kick. Once you open a bag of Plant Snacks, you will find it very hard to stop eating and close it up before the entire package is gone. Available at Sprouts Market, Walmart, Wegmans, and Whole Foods or online. www.plantsnacks.com
Katelynn Budzich/VRG Intern
Lupini Bean Bars
The humble lupini bean is now in a snack bar, Lupii. Available in four flavors—Almond Butter Cinnamon Raisin, Cashew Ginger Pumpkin Seed, Peanut Butter Cacao Nib, and Tahini Lemon Cranberry—Lupii bars offer up snacks that fit in a pocket or purse. Lupii was designed to harness more environmentally sustainable proteins without sacrificing value or taste. Testers found the bars well-balanced and easy to eat—not too sweet but not too starchy. The flavors all smell tempting right out of the packet and are ideal for travel, workouts, or simple snacks. The Peanut Butter Cacao Nib was a group favorite, with a familiar taste that wasn't cloying like candy. Cashew Ginger Pumpkin Seed had a fantastic gingery bite, with an even taste from the creamy cashew and naturally smooth pumpkin—it's like a fall day, anytime! All varieties are gluten-free. Available at independent stores and online, www.getlupii.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Curry in a Hurry
Maya Kaimal's Indian Simmer Sauces are ideal for anyone who wants convenience and ease with complex, well-balanced Indian flavors. The Coconut Korma, Jalfrezi, Madras, and Spicy Vindaloo sauces are vegan. Traditional curries require an extensive spice rack, as well as ingredients like tamarind and curry leaves, which can be hard to source. Instead, you can simply sautéegetables, then add one of Maya Kaimal's sauces and simmer for 10-15 minutes. The only decisions that need to be made are which sauce to use and which vegetables or vegan foods to add. All this can happen in one pot in less than 30 minutes. I had the Jalfrezi with cubed tofu I coated in cornstarch to mimic paneer and highly recommend it, as the tofu soaks up the flavors excellently. Even better, they are shelf-stable! Gluten-free, non-GMO, peanut-free, and soy-free. Stores nationwide or online: www.mayakaimal.com
Simon Brown/VRG Volunteer
Porkless and Chick'n Crumbles
Jada's mixes are unique plant-based meats—soy-free and easy to prepare. These mixes make it fast to re-create your favorite comfort foods without animal products. Open the box to find a powder, and just add water and oil! After resting the mixture for a few minutes, you can form cutlets, meatballs, nuggets, and more. Jada offers the mixes in Lightly Seasoned Porkless, Mediterranean Chick'n, and Unseasoned Chick'n flavors. Because the dry mix can be stored without refrigeration, it's perfect for dorm-style living, travel, and on-the-go busy professionals or families. Versatile and kid-friendly, the mixes are great for pasta dishes, for meaty pizza sauces, and for homemade breakfast sausages. You can customize the mix with seasonings of your own, too. Available from Amazon, Sprouts Market, and Whole Foods or online, www.jadabrands.com
Callie Showalter/VRG Intern
Sweet as Honey
Vegan honey has been a long-time wish for many people. Vegan honey that melts in hot tea, or bakes into treats or even just tastes sweetly complex drizzled on toast. Single Origins Food Co. seriously hit the mark with their Un-Honey, available in Amber, Blonde, and Copper flavors. No bees are part of this product in any way; it was developed by organic farmers to re-create the useability and texture of honey. The Blonde Un-Honey, made from coconut nectar, is your teatime companion, ideal to sweeten steamy beverages or pour into a smoothie with lots of bitter greens. Testers loved the flavor and viscosity of the Blonde right out of the bottle! The Copper flavor was fuller, with a more robust caramel taste, and is made from date nectar. It performed beautifully in vegan cookie and quick bread recipes, both sweetening and adding depth. Shop online: www.thesofco.com/our-products
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Bubbly, Elegant Beverages
The fruit flavor of Sovany sparkling waters isn't artificial, it's from real fruit. Sovany offers four variations: Brilliant Orange, Ingenious Apple, Original, and Remarkable Raspberry. Sovany prides itself on having "just the right amount of bubbles," which, after my own tasting, proved to be true. The bubbles are not uncomfortably overpowering, and the slight fizz does not distract from the delicate fruity taste. The balance of fresh flavor and sparkling water is just right, with nothing too strong, too sweet, or overwhelming in any way. Sovany flavors were classic. Whether consumed alone, mixed into another drink or mocktail, or served with a meal, these sparkling waters are refreshing and delicious. They complement other tastes without stealing the show and are packaged in aesthetically pleasing white, BPA-free aluminum cans. Use the store locator or shop online, www.sovany.com
Clarissa Hauber/VRG Intern
