VEGGIE BITS
Fabulous Chickpeas
Fabalish is going to make you fall in love with chickpeas again. The line of sauces includes Mayo, Ranch, Queso, and Tzatziki, all with a fluffy base of aquafaba (that's chickpea cooking liquid). Testers loved them, noting the texture was thick and authentic, but Ranch came out as the "scrape the jar" favorite. In addition, Fabalish makes frozen Baked Falafel in Carrot and Zucchini varieties. They pair perfectly with the dips,
make fantastic salads and wraps, or better yet, work well on a Mediterranean party plate. Gluten-free, nutfree, and organic. Buy at independent natural foods stores or online at www.fabalish.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Ready-to-go Rice & Beans
Dinner will be ready in a minute, literally, with Jyoti Natural Foods' Your Ready-To-Eat line of beans and grains. The packets mix and match to create a well-seasoned meal that's on the table in a flash. The Cowboy Rice, with savory pigeon peas, onions, sweet peppers, and garlic, was a tester favorite. Quinoa and Lentils with tomatoes and bell peppers was another top pick and complete meal-on-the-go. The numerous options include Black Beans, Brown Basmati & Wild Rice, Hummus, Quinoa & Brown Rice, Refried Beans, Tri-color Quinoa, and Yellow Rice. These packets are great for office lunches, travel, and dorms, as you only need a microwave. Order online at www.jyotifoods.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Growee Spreads
Slather on some...zucchini? This trio of spreads from Growee Foods takes snacking on veggies to the next level. Try Curry Zucchini, Spiced Mango, and Three Pepper on crackers or carrot and celery sticks. Don't stop there, though. These dips are made of vegetables, seeds, and spices, all the real goods, and they liven up any meal. Each of the three took starring roles on sandwiches and wraps. The Three Pepper will add complexity to vegan taco night, and the Curry Zucchini (the tester favorite) transformed conventional tofu and broccoli into exotic fare. These spreads work in both hot and cold dishes and are a fantastic idea if you want to sneak more veg onto your plate. Gluten-free, non-GMO, and soy-free. Learn more at www.groweefoods.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Bronner Chocolate
Dr. Bronner's always brings ethics to their products, and the new line of All-One Chocolate bars is no exception. Each tempting bar is made with fair-trade cocoa from organic farms and sweetened with coconut sugar. Testers raved about the filled chocolate bars. The counterpoint of chocolate and the nut butter middles was surprisingly sophisticated and elegant. Each had a luscious, creamy center surrounded by balanced, smooth dark chocolate. The flavors are 70% cocoa, with a sumptuous lineup of Cool Peppermint Cream, Crunchy Hazelnut Butter, Roasted Whole Hazelnuts, Salted Almond Butter, Salted Dark Chocolate,
Salted Whole Almonds, and Smooth Coconut Praline. Gluten-free, non-GMO, and organic. Shop at
www.drbronner.com/pages/magic-all-one-chocolate
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Vegan Eggs for All Occasions
Eggy classics are made easy with the mix line up from The Vegg. Varieties include Power Scramble, Uncaged Baking Mix, Vegan Egg Yolk, and Vegg French Toast Mix, and each has its own unique use. Bring a brunch favorite to the table with the French Toast Mix. It has the nostalgic custardy flavor and creates smooth texture during cooking. The Power Scramble is a speedy, hearty start to the day. Testers enjoyed dipping toast into the Vegan Egg Yolk, and the Uncaged Baking Mix made excellent muffins and chocolate chip cookies that held together and tasted old-fashioned. Gluten-free and kosher. Available online at www.thevegg.com or from independent natural foods stores and some Walmarts.
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Cheezy Crackers
Snack time just got cheezier with Mary's Gone Cheezee crackers. If you're like our testers, you may find yourself "going back for just one more" of these crunchy snacks. Try Plant-Based Cheddar or Plant-Based Cheese & Herb; both are crispy and tasty all on their own with no need for dips to jazz things up. Yes, they might even remind you of a certain snack from your pre-vegan days, the kind that left you licking your fingers. They're like that, but better! These crackers make an ideal afternoon pick-me-up, are a fun addition to lunches, and would be welcome on any party platter. Following the Mary's website suggestion, these crackers also made a delectable breadcrumb topping for a baked vegan mac-and-cheese casserole. Gluten-free, non-GMO, and organic. Available nationwide at Sprouts and Whole Foods, or online at www.marysgonecrackers.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Wholly Veggie
The idea behind Wholly Veggie's frozen line is to make vegan food as fun to eat as your favorite snacks. It's a trick that works because Wholly Veggie was beloved by testers both for the old-school snack nostalgia, but also because the items were simple to make while remaining big on flavor. The appetizers were as light-hearted as college party food, but secretly packed with vegetables. The sometimes-rotating line of appetizers
includes Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Ranch Cauliflower Wings, Sweet Potato Popcorn, and Sweet & Spicy Broccoli Wings. They also have meals like Cheezy Cauliflower and Broccoli, Southwest Chili, and Thai Curry, with changing menus and specials. Gluten-free, non-GMO, and soy-free. Available nationwide at Sprouts, Target, Walmart, and independent grocers or online at www.whollyveggie.com
Rissa Miller/Senior Editor
Exotic Flavor in Simple Sauces
Pantry-stable and loaded with flavor, Mekhala created a line of packet-based, Asian-inspired sauces and dressings. Coriander Ginger, Pad Thai, Shallot Kaffir Lime, Thai Chilli, and Thai Coriander Chilli packs can add a taste of the exotic to pilafs, roasted veggies, salads, stir-fry, or tofu. These easy-to-use sauces take a bowl of noodles from bland to wow with just a quick pour, cutting prep time down dramatically. The flavors are complex, smooth, and well balanced, with bold aroma during cooking. For those who like a bit of spice, the two Chilli sauces bring some heat. Coriander Ginger is pleasantly herby with a fresh flavor. All the sauces work wonders as a marinade for eggplant, tempeh, and tofu! Gluten-free, non-GMO, nut-free, and organic. Buy online at www.mekhalaliving.com
Ruby Sturm/VRG Intern
