Here is a really simple recipe for cranberry sauce that I've been making for several Thanksgivings now. It's the only cranberry sauce recipe I've tried, because it was so easy and well-received that I didn't need to try any others. :) It's one of those traditional dishes that is enjoyed by vegans and omnivores alike -- so much better than the stuff out of the can. I recommend making this a little ahead of time -- though it cooks up really fast, it can take a while to cool and thicken.
It's a slightly altered version of a recipe I found somewhere on the internet... I wish I could remember where so I could give credit!
Yummy Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
1 12-ounce package of whole cranberries, rinsed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup orange juice
1 cinnamon stick
Directions:
Combine sugar and orange juice in a sauce pan over medium heat. When sugar is dissolved, add cranberries and cinnamon stick. Stirring frequently, cook until cranberries pop, then remove from heat and remove cinnamon stick. Sauce will thicken as it cools.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
It's November again!
It has been one year since I went vegetarian full-time! I am as happy about my choice as ever, and really can't imagine ever going back.
And you know what else this means -- my second vegetarian Thanksgiving is approaching! Time to start planning the menu!
Many new vegetarians (and non-vegetarian guests at a meatless holiday table) may feel like they will miss having a turkey, that it just won't be Thanksgiving without one. I say, what's so special about it, anyway? Most of my memories of Thanksgiving turkey weren't so great -- it was usually really dry and chewy, no matter how it was cooked (sorry, Mom!). I suspect lots of other people secretly feel that way about their experiences of Thanksgiving turkey, too -- but it's such a deeply ingrained American tradition that it's hard to let go of. But just think of all the poor turkeys! :(
Well, there are other options! Of course, there are various turkey substitutes available from Quorn (their meatless turkey roast -- a log-shaped, very tasty substitute which has a firm, meat-like bite -- I highly recommend it), Tofurkey (a meatless roast complete with stuffing -- not bad, but a little rubbery in texture), and Field Roast Grain Meat Co. (I have yet to try their stuffed Celebration Roast). Or you can decide to move away from the turkey tradition altogether and make another main dish -- my meatless "meatloaves" have been a big hit at the past two Thanksgiving dinners! Or take it a step further and have a completely untraditional meal -- whatever you want! Try a new hearty vegetable soup recipe with garlic toast or sandwiches, make a smorgasbord of your favorite breakfast foods, barbecue up some veggie burgers and tofu dogs, bake a vegetable lasagna or some meatless burritos with all the fixin's... or just get some take-out! Don't be afraid to think outside the box. The world will not come to an end if you don't have turkey and green bean casserole on the fourth Thursday in November. ;)
Over the next two weeks, I intend to share a few recipes and review a few Thanksgiving-related veggie foods. Stay tuned!
<3 jazzhands
And you know what else this means -- my second vegetarian Thanksgiving is approaching! Time to start planning the menu!
Many new vegetarians (and non-vegetarian guests at a meatless holiday table) may feel like they will miss having a turkey, that it just won't be Thanksgiving without one. I say, what's so special about it, anyway? Most of my memories of Thanksgiving turkey weren't so great -- it was usually really dry and chewy, no matter how it was cooked (sorry, Mom!). I suspect lots of other people secretly feel that way about their experiences of Thanksgiving turkey, too -- but it's such a deeply ingrained American tradition that it's hard to let go of. But just think of all the poor turkeys! :(
Well, there are other options! Of course, there are various turkey substitutes available from Quorn (their meatless turkey roast -- a log-shaped, very tasty substitute which has a firm, meat-like bite -- I highly recommend it), Tofurkey (a meatless roast complete with stuffing -- not bad, but a little rubbery in texture), and Field Roast Grain Meat Co. (I have yet to try their stuffed Celebration Roast). Or you can decide to move away from the turkey tradition altogether and make another main dish -- my meatless "meatloaves" have been a big hit at the past two Thanksgiving dinners! Or take it a step further and have a completely untraditional meal -- whatever you want! Try a new hearty vegetable soup recipe with garlic toast or sandwiches, make a smorgasbord of your favorite breakfast foods, barbecue up some veggie burgers and tofu dogs, bake a vegetable lasagna or some meatless burritos with all the fixin's... or just get some take-out! Don't be afraid to think outside the box. The world will not come to an end if you don't have turkey and green bean casserole on the fourth Thursday in November. ;)
Over the next two weeks, I intend to share a few recipes and review a few Thanksgiving-related veggie foods. Stay tuned!
<3 jazzhands
Friday, September 4, 2009
Living Harvest/Tempt Hempmilk, Chocolate flavor
I first tried Living Harvest Hempmilk about a year ago. It was the sweetened vanilla flavor, and I really wanted to like it. It tasted sweet and creamy and good at first, but left an unpleasant bitter aftertaste that I just couldn't look past.
Since then, Living Harvest Hempseed products got a makeover when they merged with the Tempt brand. While the new packaging looks very boring and generic (they call it "modern"), the taste does seem to have improved. They claim it now has more omega fatty acids, less sugar, and a smoother taste.
Of course, I can't really compare apples to apples here. I hadn't tried the chocolate flavor before, and I haven't tried the new, improved vanilla -- but there does seem to be a difference in texture between the old vanilla and new chocolate and, most importantly, there is no detectable bitter aftertaste!
It has a sweet, cocoa-y, nutty flavor, and the creamy texture you'd expect from chocolate milk. It's dairy- and soy-free and has lots of omega fatty acids, but is higher in calories and fat than other milk substitutes while only having 1g of protein per serving. It is also a bit pricier than other milk alternatives.
While it doesn't rate quite as high for me as chocolate Almond Breeze for flavor, it is a close second. It makes another great alternative to dairy and soy. The company also makes other hempseed food products, including a frozen dessert (which comes in several flavors), hemp protein powder, and hemp oil.
Oh, and one last thing: Sorry to break it to you, but this is HEMPMILK, not POTMILK. It has no THC and won't get you high. ;)
Living Harvest/Tempt Official website
Protein Source: Hemp seed
Allergens: Cocoa?
Vegan
Since then, Living Harvest Hempseed products got a makeover when they merged with the Tempt brand. While the new packaging looks very boring and generic (they call it "modern"), the taste does seem to have improved. They claim it now has more omega fatty acids, less sugar, and a smoother taste.
Of course, I can't really compare apples to apples here. I hadn't tried the chocolate flavor before, and I haven't tried the new, improved vanilla -- but there does seem to be a difference in texture between the old vanilla and new chocolate and, most importantly, there is no detectable bitter aftertaste!
It has a sweet, cocoa-y, nutty flavor, and the creamy texture you'd expect from chocolate milk. It's dairy- and soy-free and has lots of omega fatty acids, but is higher in calories and fat than other milk substitutes while only having 1g of protein per serving. It is also a bit pricier than other milk alternatives.
While it doesn't rate quite as high for me as chocolate Almond Breeze for flavor, it is a close second. It makes another great alternative to dairy and soy. The company also makes other hempseed food products, including a frozen dessert (which comes in several flavors), hemp protein powder, and hemp oil.
Oh, and one last thing: Sorry to break it to you, but this is HEMPMILK, not POTMILK. It has no THC and won't get you high. ;)
Living Harvest/Tempt Official website
Protein Source: Hemp seed
Allergens: Cocoa?
Vegan
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hello again, interwebs
That's right, I just couldn't stay away from you, my fellow food adventurers. :) I keep finding myself trying new foods and wanting to blog about them!
I don't expect that I will update as often as I once did, but I would like to at least update once in a while. I'm not sure what that means yet, but we'll figure it out.
Your friend,
jazzhands
I don't expect that I will update as often as I once did, but I would like to at least update once in a while. I'm not sure what that means yet, but we'll figure it out.
Your friend,
jazzhands
Sunday, June 28, 2009
TTFN
It's been 6 months since I started this blog. Since interest seems to have tapered off (assuming there was some to begin with) and I have a lot of other things going on, I'm putting Vegetablog on hold indefinitely. Perhaps someday if the mood strikes me or if I receive a petition full of signatures, I will come back to it. If not, hopefully the posts in the archive will be of use to somebody, somewhere.
your friend in food,
jazzhands
your friend in food,
jazzhands
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Stir-fry
One of the easiest and yummiest dishes I like to cook for myself is a stir-fry. It doesn't take too much time or preparation or skill, doesn't require a recipe, is full of flavor and nutrition, and can be easily tailored to your taste, mood, diet requirements, or what you've got lying around.
Often I decide to make a stir-fry just as an excuse to experiment with cooking tofu. :) Tonight was just such an occasion. I wanted to try marinating tofu for the first time. Previously, I had only ever attempted to add flavor to the tofu during the cooking process, but it never worked very well. So anyway, I searched the pantry and fridge and decided to whip up a concoction consisting of barbecue sauce (diluted about 1:1 with water), a bit of "beef" bouillon, and a few shakes of hot sauce. I cubed up a third of a block of drained extra-firm tofu and let it marinate in a zip-top bag for about an hour. During this time, I raided the fridge for veggies to add: fresh bell pepper, onion, green beans, and mushrooms, and frozen corn. I cooked the tofu first as I prepped the fresh veggies, then set the tofu aside on a plate while I cooked the veggies using the same pan. I've found that cooking the tofu and veggies separately has these benefits: tofu seems to take longer to cook to my liking than veggies, so cooking it separately first I can make sure it's right; plus, mixing uncooked tofu in with veggies tends to lead to crumbled tofu... not that there's anything wrong with that...
So, I seasoned the veggies as they were cooking with salt, pepper, and cayenne, and toward the end I threw the tofu back in to reheat it a bit. It looked and smelled pretty good, but I felt like it was missing something -- something crunchy. My first thought was chow mein noodles, but I don't usually keep those on hand. I considered crushing up some multi-grain chips, but finally decided on tossing in some sunflower seed kernels.
The final result: yumminess!
The tofu marination (if that's a word) worked pretty well. It added a lot of flavor, and probably would have worked even better if I had been patient enough to let it go longer.
Also, this dish wasn't just a tofu experiment: it was the first time I cooked/ate green beans that didn't come from a can or in a soup. I always thought canned green beans were pretty gross, but fresh green beans are completely different. They're actually kind of sweet-tasting, and way better than canned.
Protein source: soy, sunflower seed kernels
Allergens: soy, sunflower seed kernels
Vegan
Often I decide to make a stir-fry just as an excuse to experiment with cooking tofu. :) Tonight was just such an occasion. I wanted to try marinating tofu for the first time. Previously, I had only ever attempted to add flavor to the tofu during the cooking process, but it never worked very well. So anyway, I searched the pantry and fridge and decided to whip up a concoction consisting of barbecue sauce (diluted about 1:1 with water), a bit of "beef" bouillon, and a few shakes of hot sauce. I cubed up a third of a block of drained extra-firm tofu and let it marinate in a zip-top bag for about an hour. During this time, I raided the fridge for veggies to add: fresh bell pepper, onion, green beans, and mushrooms, and frozen corn. I cooked the tofu first as I prepped the fresh veggies, then set the tofu aside on a plate while I cooked the veggies using the same pan. I've found that cooking the tofu and veggies separately has these benefits: tofu seems to take longer to cook to my liking than veggies, so cooking it separately first I can make sure it's right; plus, mixing uncooked tofu in with veggies tends to lead to crumbled tofu... not that there's anything wrong with that...
So, I seasoned the veggies as they were cooking with salt, pepper, and cayenne, and toward the end I threw the tofu back in to reheat it a bit. It looked and smelled pretty good, but I felt like it was missing something -- something crunchy. My first thought was chow mein noodles, but I don't usually keep those on hand. I considered crushing up some multi-grain chips, but finally decided on tossing in some sunflower seed kernels.
The final result: yumminess!
The tofu marination (if that's a word) worked pretty well. It added a lot of flavor, and probably would have worked even better if I had been patient enough to let it go longer.
Also, this dish wasn't just a tofu experiment: it was the first time I cooked/ate green beans that didn't come from a can or in a soup. I always thought canned green beans were pretty gross, but fresh green beans are completely different. They're actually kind of sweet-tasting, and way better than canned.
Protein source: soy, sunflower seed kernels
Allergens: soy, sunflower seed kernels
Vegan
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Don't worry, I'm coming back
Hello again, fellow food adventurers. Sorry about the month-long hiatus... things have been a little busy and I've been trying to decide on certain blog-related things -- namely, whether or not to write about certain topics -- and for the meantime, have decided not to. Thus, no new posts for a month. But I promise I'll get back to it soon! Really!
-jazzhands
-jazzhands
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup
Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup, available in two vegetarian and two vegan flavors (the Lemongrass and Chili flavor contains shrimp), is a delicious, flavorful ramen-like noodle soup. The rice noodles, if you haven't had them before, are softer and more absorbent than ramen noodles. Because these soups cook in only 1 cup of liquid instead of 2 like most ramen, the noodles will absorb most of the liquid in the bowl within minutes after you cook it. I actually really like that about this soup. And the little bit of liquid that is usually left in the bowl is really yummy for dipping a toasted sandwich into. :)
The packages contain a block of rice noodles, a packet of powdered seasoning and a packet of flavor oil. It cooks up really fast -- sometimes too fast. The packets can be tricky to open unless you have scissors handy (especially the oil packet, which can get messy if you don't tear it open just right), which means the noodles might be cooked before you can get the seasoning and oil in -- which means the noodles absorb less flavor.
I have tried three of the vegetarian flavors -- Spring Onion, Garlic and Vegetable, and Bangkok Curry -- and all of them are great. Thai Ginger is also vegetarian. The price is higher than some other instant noodle soups (especially since the portion size is smaller), but I think it's worth it. You'll find it in the ethnic/Asian foods section of the grocery store, probably between $.80 to $1.20 per package.
Thai Kitchen offers lots of other food products, many of them vegetarian or vegan. This page is a good reference for figuring out what contains what.
Allergens: See package or website
Veg*n: See package or website
The packages contain a block of rice noodles, a packet of powdered seasoning and a packet of flavor oil. It cooks up really fast -- sometimes too fast. The packets can be tricky to open unless you have scissors handy (especially the oil packet, which can get messy if you don't tear it open just right), which means the noodles might be cooked before you can get the seasoning and oil in -- which means the noodles absorb less flavor.
I have tried three of the vegetarian flavors -- Spring Onion, Garlic and Vegetable, and Bangkok Curry -- and all of them are great. Thai Ginger is also vegetarian. The price is higher than some other instant noodle soups (especially since the portion size is smaller), but I think it's worth it. You'll find it in the ethnic/Asian foods section of the grocery store, probably between $.80 to $1.20 per package.
Thai Kitchen offers lots of other food products, many of them vegetarian or vegan. This page is a good reference for figuring out what contains what.
Allergens: See package or website
Veg*n: See package or website
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Boca Original Meatless Chik'n Nuggets
This was a surprise -- in more ways than one. I was in a Target today to pick up a few things and not even planning on grocery shopping (except to pick up a loaf of bread), but I decided to peek at the little vegetarian section of the frozen foods to see if there was anything new or interesting. I scanned it from the bottom up (meh, I'm short), not seeing anything I needed, knowing I had still had some burgers, sausage, and bacon at home... I was just about to walk away when the bag of Boca Chik'n Nuggets on the top shelf caught my eye. I have never seen this product since discovering my love of Boca Chik'n Patties, so I just had to try it. I figured it's got to be at least as good as the patties, right?
Um... well... insert confused face and head scratching here.
I was eager to have some of these for dinner, so I cooked up one serving (four nuggets) with some nummy MSF broccoli and cheese bites on the side, piled on a plate with a dollop of barbecue sauce. I wanted to get a pure sampling of the new nuggets, so I tried one first without sauce. It was... weird. I chewed on it, trying to figure out what it tasted like, and couldn't put my finger on it. So I took another bite, and it hit me: it tastes like... FISH? Now you see why I was confused!
As an omnivore, I loved eating fish. The smell, the flavor, the texture... It is still the only meat that I miss (except for the whole used-to-be-a-living-creature part). But there isn't any meatless faux fish that I'm aware of... so finding a vegan product that has a sort-of fish-like flavor -- even if it was supposed to be chicken-like -- is an interesting discovery. I'm still scratching my head over it, though.
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan
Um... well... insert confused face and head scratching here.
I was eager to have some of these for dinner, so I cooked up one serving (four nuggets) with some nummy MSF broccoli and cheese bites on the side, piled on a plate with a dollop of barbecue sauce. I wanted to get a pure sampling of the new nuggets, so I tried one first without sauce. It was... weird. I chewed on it, trying to figure out what it tasted like, and couldn't put my finger on it. So I took another bite, and it hit me: it tastes like... FISH? Now you see why I was confused!
As an omnivore, I loved eating fish. The smell, the flavor, the texture... It is still the only meat that I miss (except for the whole used-to-be-a-living-creature part). But there isn't any meatless faux fish that I'm aware of... so finding a vegan product that has a sort-of fish-like flavor -- even if it was supposed to be chicken-like -- is an interesting discovery. I'm still scratching my head over it, though.
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Lightlife Smart Ground Mexican Style
I've been on a Mexican food kick lately -- after making my spinach enchiladas three times in the space of about a week, I picked up some flour tortillas and made some "chicken" quesadillas (one using Boca chicken patty, another using Quorn -- and the Boca one was better!). And after that, I have made several variations of a veggie super-taco. The first super-taco, made with Morningstar Farms Grillers burger strips cooked with taco seasoning, was super-yummy. Then, for something different, I decided to try a new fake ground beef product: Lightlife Smart Ground Mexican Style. It comes pre-seasoned with Mexican seasoning, and all you have to do is heat it up and throw it in your taco, burrito, or whatever.
It has a real ground beef-like appearance and texture, more than the Morningstar Farms crumbles I'm used to. The flavor is very wheat-gluteny, but I'm starting to get used to that, so it didn't bother me much. My only real complaint is that I wish it had just a little more seasoning added, but I can always mix in a little extra when I'm cooking it for myself.
The price (in the store where I usually shop) is about the same as a package of Morningstar Farms Grillers Crumbles, but you actually get 12 oz. of the Smart Ground, while MSF's deceptively larger package only has 8 oz... but either one is plenty for several servings.
Lightlife has many other fake meat products, including plain ground beef and ground sausage. Since I was fairly pleased with this one, I'm looking forward to trying more in the future.
Oh, and it's got 9 grams of vegan protein per serving.
**Edited to add: According to the Morningstar Farms website, the MSF Grillers Recipe Crumbles comes in a 12 oz. package. Even though I distinctly remember comparing the two products in the store and deciding to try the Lightlife product because it had more in it, I thought I should mention this in case the MSF product comes in different sizes... or in the unlikely even that I was wrong. ;) Because I don't have any MSF Crumbles in my freezer at this moment, I cannot say for sure.
Protein Source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan
It has a real ground beef-like appearance and texture, more than the Morningstar Farms crumbles I'm used to. The flavor is very wheat-gluteny, but I'm starting to get used to that, so it didn't bother me much. My only real complaint is that I wish it had just a little more seasoning added, but I can always mix in a little extra when I'm cooking it for myself.
The price (in the store where I usually shop) is about the same as a package of Morningstar Farms Grillers Crumbles, but you actually get 12 oz. of the Smart Ground, while MSF's deceptively larger package only has 8 oz... but either one is plenty for several servings.
Lightlife has many other fake meat products, including plain ground beef and ground sausage. Since I was fairly pleased with this one, I'm looking forward to trying more in the future.
Oh, and it's got 9 grams of vegan protein per serving.
**Edited to add: According to the Morningstar Farms website, the MSF Grillers Recipe Crumbles comes in a 12 oz. package. Even though I distinctly remember comparing the two products in the store and deciding to try the Lightlife product because it had more in it, I thought I should mention this in case the MSF product comes in different sizes... or in the unlikely even that I was wrong. ;) Because I don't have any MSF Crumbles in my freezer at this moment, I cannot say for sure.
Protein Source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan
Saturday, March 28, 2009
What can a veggie eat?: Taco Bell
***11/6/2013 Edited to add the following: ***
Ever since I went GMO-free and organic in January 2013, I have been debating with myself about whether or not to delete this post and the others regarding fast food restaurants. My dilemma is that this post brings in more readers than all my other posts combined, and I don't want to lose that if even just a few of you stay around to read more than this post -- yet I also don't want it to seem as if I am promoting or condoning eating at these restaurants. Even the menu items which appear to be free of animal ingredients or which are marketed as "healthy" options are still crammed full of unnecessary filler ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives. Yes, even the fruit.
If this post brought you to my blog, I strongly encourage you to read my more recent posts starting with this one.
Surprisingly (to me, anyway), even though Taco Bell is probably best known for their meaty dishes, they actually have quite a few meatless options, thanks to good ol' beans.
These menu items appear to be ok for ovo-lacto-vegetarians:
Cinnamon twists
Bean burrito
7-layer burrito
Pintos 'n cheese
Mexican rice
Cheese quesadilla
Cheese roll-up
These items are iffy because of their mysterious "natural flavors" in the nacho cheese sauce and the empanada:
Caramel apple empanada
1/2 Pound cheesy bean & rice burrito
Nachos
Cheesy fiesta potatoes
Triple layer nachos
I'd also call the Fiesta Potatoes iffy for now, just because I don't know if they're fried with any meat items. Maybe someone else knows?
Disclaimer: This list is a guide, but isn't absolute. This list only pertains to what does or does not contain animal ingredients, but items on it may contain other ingredients you might find unsuitable (soy, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc). Or, you may find items on this list or at this restaurant unsuitable for other reasons not listed here. So: Don't just take my word for it. Do your own research. Ask questions. Make sure they don't cook your food in animal fat. Etc, etc. If you see any errors in my list or if you have additional information, please notify me kindly, but no flames please. :)
Ever since I went GMO-free and organic in January 2013, I have been debating with myself about whether or not to delete this post and the others regarding fast food restaurants. My dilemma is that this post brings in more readers than all my other posts combined, and I don't want to lose that if even just a few of you stay around to read more than this post -- yet I also don't want it to seem as if I am promoting or condoning eating at these restaurants. Even the menu items which appear to be free of animal ingredients or which are marketed as "healthy" options are still crammed full of unnecessary filler ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives. Yes, even the fruit.
If this post brought you to my blog, I strongly encourage you to read my more recent posts starting with this one.
Surprisingly (to me, anyway), even though Taco Bell is probably best known for their meaty dishes, they actually have quite a few meatless options, thanks to good ol' beans.
These menu items appear to be ok for ovo-lacto-vegetarians:
Cinnamon twists
Bean burrito
7-layer burrito
Pintos 'n cheese
Mexican rice
Cheese quesadilla
Cheese roll-up
These items are iffy because of their mysterious "natural flavors" in the nacho cheese sauce and the empanada:
Caramel apple empanada
1/2 Pound cheesy bean & rice burrito
Nachos
Cheesy fiesta potatoes
Triple layer nachos
I'd also call the Fiesta Potatoes iffy for now, just because I don't know if they're fried with any meat items. Maybe someone else knows?
Disclaimer: This list is a guide, but isn't absolute. This list only pertains to what does or does not contain animal ingredients, but items on it may contain other ingredients you might find unsuitable (soy, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc). Or, you may find items on this list or at this restaurant unsuitable for other reasons not listed here. So: Don't just take my word for it. Do your own research. Ask questions. Make sure they don't cook your food in animal fat. Etc, etc. If you see any errors in my list or if you have additional information, please notify me kindly, but no flames please. :)
What can a veggie eat?: Burger King
***11/6/2013 Edited to add the following: ***
Ever since I went GMO-free and organic in January 2013, I have been debating with myself about whether or not to delete this post and the others regarding fast food restaurants. My dilemma is that these posts bring in more readers than all my other posts combined, and I don't want to lose that if even just a few of you stay around to read more than this post -- yet I also don't want it to seem as if I am promoting or condoning eating at these restaurants. Even the menu items which appear to be free of animal ingredients or which are marketed as "healthy" options are still crammed full of unnecessary filler ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives. Yes, even the fruit.
If this post brought you to my blog, I strongly encourage you to read my more recent posts starting with this one.
Here is my latest installment of trying-to-be-helpful tips for vegetarians caught in a fast food restaurant. I sincerely hope I am being helpful with this information and not insulting or offensive to other vegetarians! For more on that, please read my disclaimer at the bottom.
Burger King: not a lot of options here. But! At least they have a veggie burger! A yummy Morningstar Farms one, even. Just make sure they microwave it, not cook it on the grill with the meat!
These items appear to be okay for ovo-lacto-vegetarians (again, items marked with a "V" appear to be vegan):
BK veggie burger
French fries - V (website claims that these are always cooked in a separate, dedicated fryer)
Dutch apple pie - V
Apple fries - V
Kraft mac & cheese (kids' meal)
Cini-minis
Shakes
Hershey's sundae pie
Side garden salad - V
Tendercrisp/Tendergrill garden salad w/o chicken
Ketchup
Mustard
I've classified these items as "iffy", because the website warns that they may be cooked in the same fryer as meat products:
Onion rings
Cheesy tots
French toast sticks
Hash browns
I could not find any info on their website for ingredients in their salad dressings, so be careful. Read the packet first.
Disclaimer: This list is a guide, but isn't absolute. This list only pertains to what does or does not contain animal ingredients, but items on it may contain other ingredients you might find unsuitable (soy, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc). Or, you may find items on this list or at this restaurant unsuitable for other reasons not listed here. So: Don't just take my word for it. Do your own research. Ask questions. Make sure they don't cook your food in animal fat. Etc, etc. If you see any errors in my list or if you have additional information, please notify me kindly, but no flames please. :)
Ever since I went GMO-free and organic in January 2013, I have been debating with myself about whether or not to delete this post and the others regarding fast food restaurants. My dilemma is that these posts bring in more readers than all my other posts combined, and I don't want to lose that if even just a few of you stay around to read more than this post -- yet I also don't want it to seem as if I am promoting or condoning eating at these restaurants. Even the menu items which appear to be free of animal ingredients or which are marketed as "healthy" options are still crammed full of unnecessary filler ingredients, chemicals, and preservatives. Yes, even the fruit.
If this post brought you to my blog, I strongly encourage you to read my more recent posts starting with this one.
Here is my latest installment of trying-to-be-helpful tips for vegetarians caught in a fast food restaurant. I sincerely hope I am being helpful with this information and not insulting or offensive to other vegetarians! For more on that, please read my disclaimer at the bottom.
Burger King: not a lot of options here. But! At least they have a veggie burger! A yummy Morningstar Farms one, even. Just make sure they microwave it, not cook it on the grill with the meat!
These items appear to be okay for ovo-lacto-vegetarians (again, items marked with a "V" appear to be vegan):
BK veggie burger
French fries - V (website claims that these are always cooked in a separate, dedicated fryer)
Dutch apple pie - V
Apple fries - V
Kraft mac & cheese (kids' meal)
Cini-minis
Shakes
Hershey's sundae pie
Side garden salad - V
Tendercrisp/Tendergrill garden salad w/o chicken
Ketchup
Mustard
I've classified these items as "iffy", because the website warns that they may be cooked in the same fryer as meat products:
Onion rings
Cheesy tots
French toast sticks
Hash browns
I could not find any info on their website for ingredients in their salad dressings, so be careful. Read the packet first.
Disclaimer: This list is a guide, but isn't absolute. This list only pertains to what does or does not contain animal ingredients, but items on it may contain other ingredients you might find unsuitable (soy, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc). Or, you may find items on this list or at this restaurant unsuitable for other reasons not listed here. So: Don't just take my word for it. Do your own research. Ask questions. Make sure they don't cook your food in animal fat. Etc, etc. If you see any errors in my list or if you have additional information, please notify me kindly, but no flames please. :)
Friday, March 27, 2009
What can a veggie eat?: McDonald's
***11/6/2013 Edited to add: ***
Ever since I went GMO-free and organic in January 2013, I have been debating with myself about whether or not to delete this post and the others regarding fast food restaurants. My dilemma is that this post brings in more readers than all my other posts combined, and I don't want to lose that if even just a few of you stay around to read more than this post -- yet I also don't want it to seem as if I am promoting or condoning eating at these restaurants. Even the menu items which appear to be free of animal ingredients or which are marketed as "healthy" options are still crammed full of unnecessary filler ingredients, chemicals, GMOs, and preservatives. Yes, even the fruit.
If this post brought you to my blog, I strongly encourage you to read my more recent posts starting with this one. Thank you.
Fast food restaurants aren't generally known for being very veggie-friendly (or health-friendly, or animal-friendly, or earth-friendly, or ...), though some are better than others. But sometimes circumstances beyond our control place us in a fast food restaurant reeking of beef, with a growling stomach and few options. What can you do? Well, you can give them the finger and go hungry, or you can try to make the best of it. And if you should choose the latter, your friend Jazzhands is here to help.
Today I'm here to help you find something you can eat at McDonald's. Yes, I know you're groaning right now, possibly gagging, maybe even cursing my name -- but hear me out. We veggies may not choose to ever eat there, but you do have to give them a little credit: at least their website gives pretty thorough ingredient lists for all of their menu items (even demystifying those sketchy "natural flavors" by specifying whether they come from vegetable, dairy, or animal sources). And I have gone through the trouble of combing through the ingredient lists for you to find things you might not have known you could eat -- and some things you might have thought were safe, but aren't. There are even a few items that appear to be vegan -- nothing very substantial, but food nonetheless!
These appear OK for veg*ns (items marked with a "V" appear to be vegan):
southwest salad w/o chicken (has cheese; dressing is on the side)
caesar salad w/o chicken (has cheese; dressing is on the side)
side salad - V
vinaigrette dressing - V
english muffin - V
biscuit
hot cakes
apple dippers (but they have the flavor and peel removed -- bleh) - V
ice cream sundae
shakes
apple pie - V
cinnamon melts
mcdonaldland cookies
chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies
ice cream cone
These are definitely not OK:
caesar dressing (contains anchovy)
italian dressing (contains anchovy)
ranch dressing (natural flavors from animal source)
southwest dressing (natural flavors from animal source)
french fries (natural beef flavor)
hashbrowns (natural beef flavor)
These items are iffy:
fruit and walnut salad/fruit and yogurt parfait (contains gelatin)
mcgriddles, mcmuffin (these have meat by default, but you might be able to order them w/o. The griddle cakes and biscuits themselves are ok)
bacon ranch salad w/o chicken (you could possibly order this w/o the bacon, unless they are pre-made)
Disclaimer: This list is a guide, but isn't absolute. This list only pertains to what does or does not contain animal ingredients, but items on it may contain other ingredients you might find unsuitable (soy, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc). Or, you may find items on this list or at this restaurant unsuitable for other reasons not listed here. So: Don't just take my word for it. Do your own research. Ask questions. Make sure they don't cook your food in animal fat. Etc, etc. If you see any errors in my list or if you have additional information, please notify me kindly, but no flames please. :)
More restaurants to come!
Ever since I went GMO-free and organic in January 2013, I have been debating with myself about whether or not to delete this post and the others regarding fast food restaurants. My dilemma is that this post brings in more readers than all my other posts combined, and I don't want to lose that if even just a few of you stay around to read more than this post -- yet I also don't want it to seem as if I am promoting or condoning eating at these restaurants. Even the menu items which appear to be free of animal ingredients or which are marketed as "healthy" options are still crammed full of unnecessary filler ingredients, chemicals, GMOs, and preservatives. Yes, even the fruit.
If this post brought you to my blog, I strongly encourage you to read my more recent posts starting with this one. Thank you.
Fast food restaurants aren't generally known for being very veggie-friendly (or health-friendly, or animal-friendly, or earth-friendly, or ...), though some are better than others. But sometimes circumstances beyond our control place us in a fast food restaurant reeking of beef, with a growling stomach and few options. What can you do? Well, you can give them the finger and go hungry, or you can try to make the best of it. And if you should choose the latter, your friend Jazzhands is here to help.
Today I'm here to help you find something you can eat at McDonald's. Yes, I know you're groaning right now, possibly gagging, maybe even cursing my name -- but hear me out. We veggies may not choose to ever eat there, but you do have to give them a little credit: at least their website gives pretty thorough ingredient lists for all of their menu items (even demystifying those sketchy "natural flavors" by specifying whether they come from vegetable, dairy, or animal sources). And I have gone through the trouble of combing through the ingredient lists for you to find things you might not have known you could eat -- and some things you might have thought were safe, but aren't. There are even a few items that appear to be vegan -- nothing very substantial, but food nonetheless!
These appear OK for veg*ns (items marked with a "V" appear to be vegan):
southwest salad w/o chicken (has cheese; dressing is on the side)
caesar salad w/o chicken (has cheese; dressing is on the side)
side salad - V
vinaigrette dressing - V
english muffin - V
biscuit
hot cakes
apple dippers (but they have the flavor and peel removed -- bleh) - V
ice cream sundae
shakes
apple pie - V
cinnamon melts
mcdonaldland cookies
chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies
ice cream cone
These are definitely not OK:
caesar dressing (contains anchovy)
italian dressing (contains anchovy)
ranch dressing (natural flavors from animal source)
southwest dressing (natural flavors from animal source)
french fries (natural beef flavor)
hashbrowns (natural beef flavor)
These items are iffy:
fruit and walnut salad/fruit and yogurt parfait (contains gelatin)
mcgriddles, mcmuffin (these have meat by default, but you might be able to order them w/o. The griddle cakes and biscuits themselves are ok)
bacon ranch salad w/o chicken (you could possibly order this w/o the bacon, unless they are pre-made)
Disclaimer: This list is a guide, but isn't absolute. This list only pertains to what does or does not contain animal ingredients, but items on it may contain other ingredients you might find unsuitable (soy, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc). Or, you may find items on this list or at this restaurant unsuitable for other reasons not listed here. So: Don't just take my word for it. Do your own research. Ask questions. Make sure they don't cook your food in animal fat. Etc, etc. If you see any errors in my list or if you have additional information, please notify me kindly, but no flames please. :)
More restaurants to come!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Recipe: Spinach Enchiladas
This is my version of Enchiladas Espinacas, inspired by a vegetarian dish of the same name from a local Mexican restaurant called El Gitano. When I eat it there, I always mix the beans in with the enchiladas, so for my own version I decided to just put the beans inside to begin with. ;) The bottled salsa verde I have used with this recipe isn't nearly as good as the green veggie sauce they use at the restaurant, but if I ever find a good recipe for that, I'll share it here too.
My version of ENCHILADAS ESPINACAS
(spinach enchiladas)
Serves 2-3
Amounts of filler ingredients are guesstimates. Adjust amounts to suit your own taste.
- 6 Corn tortillas (larger size)
- About 4 Baby Bella mushrooms (or equivalent), diced
- About 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed
- About 1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
- About 1/3 of a large bell pepper (or equivalent of other pepper), diced
- About 1/3 cup diced onion
- 1/2 tomato, diced, seeds removed
- 1/2 can of red beans, rinsed and drained
- 16 fl oz of salsa verde or green enchilada sauce
- About 1/2 to 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (or as desired)
- Salt, pepper, and Mexican spices to taste
Preheat oven to 375F.
Saute mushrooms, pepper, onion, corn, and spices until onion starts to look translucent. Add spinach and cook for another minute or two. Move cooked veggies to a bowl and mix together with tomato and beans. Heat tortillas in microwave according to directions on package to soften them. Place a tortilla in baking pan, fill with veggie mixture, and roll up. Repeat with other tortillas, laying them close to each other in pan. Top liberally with sauce and grated cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes or until hot inside.
My version of ENCHILADAS ESPINACAS
(spinach enchiladas)
Serves 2-3
Amounts of filler ingredients are guesstimates. Adjust amounts to suit your own taste.
- 6 Corn tortillas (larger size)
- About 4 Baby Bella mushrooms (or equivalent), diced
- About 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed
- About 1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
- About 1/3 of a large bell pepper (or equivalent of other pepper), diced
- About 1/3 cup diced onion
- 1/2 tomato, diced, seeds removed
- 1/2 can of red beans, rinsed and drained
- 16 fl oz of salsa verde or green enchilada sauce
- About 1/2 to 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (or as desired)
- Salt, pepper, and Mexican spices to taste
Preheat oven to 375F.
Saute mushrooms, pepper, onion, corn, and spices until onion starts to look translucent. Add spinach and cook for another minute or two. Move cooked veggies to a bowl and mix together with tomato and beans. Heat tortillas in microwave according to directions on package to soften them. Place a tortilla in baking pan, fill with veggie mixture, and roll up. Repeat with other tortillas, laying them close to each other in pan. Top liberally with sauce and grated cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes or until hot inside.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Gardenburger Black Bean Chipotle Burgers
My first thought when trying this new veggie burger was, "Mmm, this would be really good in a taco!" The tasty chipotle peppers and spices give it a Mexican sort of flavor. I immediately wished I had bought some lettuce along with these burgers so I could try out a Black Bean Chipotle taco!
I was worried that it would be too spicy, but it's really pretty mild. The texture is similar to other vegetable-y veggie burgers, like Gardenburger's Veggie Medley patties (another one of my favorites). Color-wise, it doesn't look much like the burger on the package -- it's a lighter, more orangey brown. Cooking it on the stove (or a grill, I assume) darkens it a bit, but not as much as on the package. It's not that the color bothers me, just that the photo is sort of misleading...
Another funny thought I had while trying this product: As I was enjoying the aromas filling the kitchen as the burger cooked on the stove, I started thinking about all the yummy nutritious things so many meat-eaters are missing out on! There are really only so many things you can do with a ground beef burger. I mean, look at the menu at a fast food restaurant. For the most part, all their "different" hamburgers aren't -- they're just different combinations of the same old meat, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes, ketchup/mayo/mustard/sauce. But think of how much more variety you can get when you throw in a completely different kind of protein! And sadly, most meat-eaters will never give meat alternatives a chance, and will never know what they are missing. And restaurants won't, either. But that's another rant for another day.
So... overall, I really enjoyed this product and would recommend it if you like Mexican-type flavors. I can see it being another type of versatile veggie burger/meat replacement.
Protein source: Soy
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Why the fake dairy?
If you've been keeping up with my blog up to this point, you may find yourself wondering, "If Jazzhands is an ovo-lacto-vegetarian, why does she bother trying fake dairy products?"
That's a very good question! It certainly seems easier (and cheaper) to just stick to moo juice and cheese. But something happened during my years-long conversion to vegetarianism -- my tastebuds woke up, and I discovered that I like trying new foods!
Plus, subconsciously I guess I'm sticking out my feelers toward veganism. I don't know if I could ever give up cheese or honey, but I'd never know if I didn't try some alternatives.
Also, it's good to know about alternative foods if the situation should arise that I would have to cook for vegans or people with other dietary restrictions.
The final reason is that I've often heard about cow milk containing undesirable stuff like antibiotics and hormones, which can mess with your body and your skin. If I could manage to switch off of cow milk for a while and feel better...
-jazzhands
That's a very good question! It certainly seems easier (and cheaper) to just stick to moo juice and cheese. But something happened during my years-long conversion to vegetarianism -- my tastebuds woke up, and I discovered that I like trying new foods!
Plus, subconsciously I guess I'm sticking out my feelers toward veganism. I don't know if I could ever give up cheese or honey, but I'd never know if I didn't try some alternatives.
Also, it's good to know about alternative foods if the situation should arise that I would have to cook for vegans or people with other dietary restrictions.
The final reason is that I've often heard about cow milk containing undesirable stuff like antibiotics and hormones, which can mess with your body and your skin. If I could manage to switch off of cow milk for a while and feel better...
-jazzhands
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Personalizing my blog... a work in progress
Hi, everyone. I've been lazy about updating lately, but I wanted to do something for my blog, so I designed the new picture for the banner at the top. Hope you like it! But if not, too bad! I plan to keep it for a while. However, I may decide to mess around with some other layout stuff, so don't freak out if it all looks completely different next time. :)
-jazzhands
-jazzhands
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Yves Deli Slices
It's amazing (or scary, depending on how you look at it) how much they can make food taste like meat without actually containing any meat these days. Yves Deli Slices are a good example of this.
They come in a variety of flavors: Turkey, Ham, Bologna, Salami, Roast without the Beef, Smoked Chicken, and Pepperoni. I have tried all of them except the Roast Beef and Smoked Chicken (only because I can't find them) and have enjoyed them all, but my favorites are definitely the Turkey and Ham. It's eerie how much the Ham tastes like ham...
The Turkey is delicious in a toasted cheese-and-turkey sandwich. In fact, for dinner tonight I had a fake Superbird (one of my old favorite items from Denny's) -- Yves Turkey + Morningstar Farms Bacon strips + Havarti and Pepperjack cheese + buttered bread + toasting until melty = veggie heaven!
The Pepperoni looks just like the meaty kind, and is pretty tasty added to a cheese pizza. I also like to add a couple of slices to a sandwich with another fake meat product -- it really helps to liven up a Nature's Burger.
All of the Yves Deli Slices have a bit of a wheaty flavor to them, since wheat protein is one of the main ingredients. However, it's not as strong as in other wheat-meat products I've tried, and the overall quality of the product makes up for it. Plus, they are a good source of protein and vitamins.
Protein Source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat (made in a facility that uses egg products)
Vegan
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, Vanilla Flavor
Almond Breeze almond milk comes in three flavors: Original, Vanilla and Chocolate, all of which are also available in Unsweetened varieties. I have only tried the sweetened Vanilla flavor.
It's comparably priced to soy and rice milks, but may be slightly harder to find.
It's also comparable nutritionally, although like rice milk it has significantly less protein than soy milk -- only 1g. Also, almonds are high in vitamin E, and one serving of Almond Breeze gives you 50% of your daily recommended amount.
The thickness of it falls somewhere in between -- thinner than soy milk, thicker than rice milk. The flavor is pretty good, too. Sweet but not too sweet. It definitely does taste like almonds, but it's not overkill. Good for dessert, coffee, and cereal, and the plain unsweetened variety might be useful for some savory dishes.
** 2/25/09 Edited to add: I tried this on cereal, and it was delicious! It is by far my favorite milk alternative for cereal that I've tried.
**3/7/09 Edited to add: The chocolate flavor is SO GOOD! Go buy some now!
Allergens: Almond, soy (soy lecithin)
Vegan
Thursday, February 19, 2009
New feature
I have gone back through my previous product review posts and added info about ingredients, such as protein sources, allergens, and vegan/vegetarian status. This info appears at the end of each post in GREEN.
Hopefully this small new feature will be helpful. I'd hate to get someone excited about a product only to later find out they can't eat it!
-jazzhands
Hopefully this small new feature will be helpful. I'd hate to get someone excited about a product only to later find out they can't eat it!
-jazzhands
Boca Original Chik'n Patties
So, this is the third brand of breaded chicken-style patty I've tried thus far. To be perfectly honest, I didn't expect much from it. I found Boca burgers to be very bland and boring, and figured this would be, too. However, I was quite pleasantly surprised.
Actually, the breading on the patty was on the bland side, but for me, the flavor and texture of the "chicken" made up for it. It had a nice, chickeny bite to it, and was actually juicy. I am glad I purchased these instead of the MSF chik'n patties I almost bought tonight; if the breading had a bit more seasoning to it, I think these could actually give Quorn chik'n a run for its money. And for me, that's saying a lot. In fact, because the breading stays on better than with Quorn patties, these might be a better choice for using in a dish that requires sliced chik'n -- salad, tacos, quesadillas, stir fry... Hmm, I'm gonna have to buy some more...
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Morningstar Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles
Two nights ago, I made myself a tasty vegetarian lasagna using MSF Grillers Recipe Crumbles. It was relatively simple and came out pretty well, if a little overcooked. The Grillers Crumbles really made the dish for me, and it wasn't far off from my old favorite meaty lasagna.
I didn't use a recipe or measure anything, but it was something like this:
- 12-14 wide lasagna noodles, cooked
- 1 jar of vegetarian spaghetti sauce
- 3/4 of a bag of Morningstar Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 2-3 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- garlic powder, oregano, and basil to taste
Preheat oven to 350F.
While noodles are cooking, mix ricotta, parmesan, and herbs/spices in a small bowl. Also, thaw Crumbles in microwave (30 seconds at a time, then stir; don't let them cook) in a medium bowl, then stir in spaghetti sauce, reserving about 1/4 cup. Spread reserved spaghetti sauce over the bottom of a 13"x9" baking pan, and lay out one layer of noodles. Spread a thin layer of cheese mixture over noodles, then a layer of sauce mixture. Continue layering, ending with top layer of noodles, sauce, and grated mozzarella. Bake about 40 minutes, or until hot all the way through. Don't judge doneness by appearance of mozzarella cheese on top! I was waiting for the cheese to melt, and it never happened -- thus my top layer ended up overcooked.
I think this product would also be delicious in tacos, or other Mexican dishes. MSF also makes a crumbled sausage product, which I would love to try but can't find anywhere...
**2/25/09 Edited to add: This stuff is also really good sprinkled onto a cheese or veggie pizza!
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
Vegan
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Lost in the interwebs of cyberspace
4:30 AM, and I was sleepless and bored. I decided to Google it up and see if I could find my blog. Over 13 million results for "vegetarian blog", and I am not in the top 13 pages. If I search directly for "vegetablog", at least I'm on page 2. But who in the world is going to search for "vegetablog"?
I wonder how I can get my blog noticed... in a good way.
I wonder how I can get my blog noticed... in a good way.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Gardenburger BBQ Riblets
I have never eaten real ribs, so I can't really compare this product to the real thing, but...
I've been a fan of this product for a while now -- pretty much ever since I discovered that I love barbecue sauce about a year or two ago.
Unlike many other veg*n convenience foods, you only get two servings per package. Each veggie riblet comes in a plastic pouch, which is microwaveable. Be very, very careful when you microwave this product! It is very easy to overcook, especially if you have a powerful microwave oven. I only have to cook mine for about half the recommended time for it to be heated through. If it is overcooked, it will chewy and tough to the point of being inedible... which is very sad when it smells so good!
The sauce is delicious -- sweet (but not too sweet) and spicy (but not too spicy). I think they should bottle it and make it available separately. The riblets are tasty too, and have a sort of chunky texture. I have eaten the riblets as a sandwich on a long roll or toasted bread with swiss cheese, or as-is with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. Yum.
And yes, it's even vegan! Yay!
On my last shopping trip, I noticed a suspiciously similar product from Morningstar Farms. I purchased it, not realizing that I already had a box of Gardenburger riblets at home. I compared the list of ingredients on the two boxes, and sure enough, they were identical. I wonder what this means..? Did MSF purchase Gardenburger? Hmm...
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat
100% vegan
Monday, February 9, 2009
Morningstar Farms Chik Patties Original
I bought these one day while at a grocery store that doesn't carry my beloved Quorn "chicken" products. I knew it wouldn't be the same, but I thought trying something new might be good. Morningstar Farms has rarely ever disappointed me. Besides, the Chik Patties now have received the Chef's Best award... though I'm not quite sure what that means (and I wonder what other fake chicken patties they could have compared this to? Hmm).
Overall, this product was about what I was expecting. They do have a different sort of "chicken" flavor and texture than Quorn or Gardenburger; I'd say it resembles more of a dark meat chicken flavor -- only more, um, blah. The "meat" flavor and the breading reminded a bit of something like Banquet chicken nuggets.
The product does stay together better than a Quorn patty -- the breading doesn't just fall off -- so it does have that going for it. Oh, and it cooks at a lower oven temperature, so the oven preheats faster, thus you can eat it sooner (always a bonus in my book!). And, though it still may not be quite as good IMHO, it is nice to have a little variety once in a while.
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat, milk, egg
100% vegetarian
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Veggie Slices, Mozzarella flavor
It wasn't until after I purchased this product and really looked at the label that I realized this cheese substitute is not intended for vegans, since it still contains milk ingredients. Then I tried it, and really couldn't think of ANYONE who would choose to eat it. I suppose if you were lactose intolerant or wanted to avoid cholesterol and wanted something VAGUELY (I repeat, VAGUELY) cheese-like, you might purchase this.
I chose to try the Mozzarella flavor, since it is one of my favorite cheeses, and since it seemed like it would be hard to mess up -- even artificial mozzarella (like the kind you find on really cheap frozen pizza) is usually passable. It comes packaged just like other processed cheese slices in a plastic wrapper, with each slice individually wrapped.
The veggie slice, once unwrapped, still resembles a processed cheese slice. It has a similar consistency and texture. The smell is pretty disconcerting, though. This should have been a big red flag.
When I first put it in my mouth, it actually tastes alright -- almost cheese-like. But after a couple of seconds, the flavor changes. It's TERRIBLE. The first time I tried it, it actually went back and forth between okay and god-awful every few seconds the entire time I chewed it -- a very bizarre and unpleasant experience. Also, the texture in your mouth quickly goes from American-cheese-like to tofu.
So what did I do with all the other slices? I'm not the type of person who can just throw away food. I decided that it might not be as bad if it were hidden in some other food, so I crumbled a slice and added it into some Nature's Burger mix. I had to be careful about the fake cheese burning and sticking to the pan, but it actually wasn't too bad. It added another, interesting dimension to the flavor of the Nature's Burger. In fact, the next time I had a Nature's Burger without the crumbled Veggie Slice in it, I found that I missed it!
This brand, Galaxy Nutritional Foods, makes many other flavors of cheese alternatives, some even rice-based. They do also make some vegan cheese alternatives, both soy- and rice-based, but I can't find any of these in any local grocery stores. Among all of these, there might be some flavors that taste better than this "mozzarella" -- but I'm not about to try them myself.
Allergens: Soy, milk
Vegetarian
I chose to try the Mozzarella flavor, since it is one of my favorite cheeses, and since it seemed like it would be hard to mess up -- even artificial mozzarella (like the kind you find on really cheap frozen pizza) is usually passable. It comes packaged just like other processed cheese slices in a plastic wrapper, with each slice individually wrapped.
The veggie slice, once unwrapped, still resembles a processed cheese slice. It has a similar consistency and texture. The smell is pretty disconcerting, though. This should have been a big red flag.
When I first put it in my mouth, it actually tastes alright -- almost cheese-like. But after a couple of seconds, the flavor changes. It's TERRIBLE. The first time I tried it, it actually went back and forth between okay and god-awful every few seconds the entire time I chewed it -- a very bizarre and unpleasant experience. Also, the texture in your mouth quickly goes from American-cheese-like to tofu.
So what did I do with all the other slices? I'm not the type of person who can just throw away food. I decided that it might not be as bad if it were hidden in some other food, so I crumbled a slice and added it into some Nature's Burger mix. I had to be careful about the fake cheese burning and sticking to the pan, but it actually wasn't too bad. It added another, interesting dimension to the flavor of the Nature's Burger. In fact, the next time I had a Nature's Burger without the crumbled Veggie Slice in it, I found that I missed it!
This brand, Galaxy Nutritional Foods, makes many other flavors of cheese alternatives, some even rice-based. They do also make some vegan cheese alternatives, both soy- and rice-based, but I can't find any of these in any local grocery stores. Among all of these, there might be some flavors that taste better than this "mozzarella" -- but I'm not about to try them myself.
Allergens: Soy, milk
Vegetarian
Rice Dream Organic Rice Drink, Original Flavor, Enriched
Rice milk is another popular milk alternative, and has a few things going for it over soy milk:
+ Rice milk is dairy-free and soy-free. Lots of veg*ns already get plenty of soy from other sources, and may prefer a soy-free milk substitute to avoid soy overload (that's not a technical term, btw).
+ Rice milk is white, like traditional cow's milk.
+ Rice milk has a thinner consistency, more like fat-free milk. That could probably be a positive or negative, depending on personal preference, but I generally prefer it over the thickness of soymilk. I have heard others describe it (negatively) as "watery".
+ The rice-iness of it would make it a good choice for use in both savory and dessert recipes.
Rice milk does have a couple of drawbacks:
- It tastes like rice. It's really kind of like drinking liquid rice.
- It has much lower protein content (1g per serving, in this particular brand).
- It may sometimes have a bit of graininess to it.
I have used this product to make mashed potatoes, with mixed results. The rice flavor was not obtrusive so the flavor was decent, but the creaminess that one usually expects with mashed potatoes just wasn't there, due to the thinness of the the rice milk. Margarine helped some, but it still just seemed off.
I have also used this product (in the Vanilla flavor) on cereal. It's not too bad, but you'd want to choose a cereal that goes well with rice flavor. Pouring it on Trix or Cocoa Puffs probably wouldn't taste too great, but it's decent on Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Allergens: ?
Vegan
Archer Farms Organic Soymilk, Vanilla flavor
Archer Farms is a Target-exclusive food brand. I found this soy milk in the refrigerated section of my local Target's grocery department and decided to give it a try.
It has a pleasant flavor, slightly sweet and vanilla-y on top of the usual soy flavor. The beige color may be off-putting to some people who expect their milk (or milk substitute) to be white. The texture is very thick and creamy, and feels a little sticky in your mouth. I guess if you're used to drinking whole milk or whipping cream or something, that might be okay. But I'm used to fat-free milk, so it's a little strange. Also, you don't want to shake the carton too much before you pour yourself a glass, or else it gets really frothy. Unless you enjoy that sort of thing.
As with many milk alternatives, this product has lots of extra vitamins and minerals added, has 6g of protein per serving, and is completely dairy-free.
It's good in coffee. And lately I've been enjoying having a glass with a late night snack. But I couldn't see myself wanting to pour it on my morning cereal -- it's just not the right taste and texture. If you're looking for a milk substitute to go in a dessert recipe (especially if the recipe calls for whole milk or half-and-half), this would probably be a good choice. It is also available in a Plain flavor.
Allergens: Soy
Vegan
It has a pleasant flavor, slightly sweet and vanilla-y on top of the usual soy flavor. The beige color may be off-putting to some people who expect their milk (or milk substitute) to be white. The texture is very thick and creamy, and feels a little sticky in your mouth. I guess if you're used to drinking whole milk or whipping cream or something, that might be okay. But I'm used to fat-free milk, so it's a little strange. Also, you don't want to shake the carton too much before you pour yourself a glass, or else it gets really frothy. Unless you enjoy that sort of thing.
As with many milk alternatives, this product has lots of extra vitamins and minerals added, has 6g of protein per serving, and is completely dairy-free.
It's good in coffee. And lately I've been enjoying having a glass with a late night snack. But I couldn't see myself wanting to pour it on my morning cereal -- it's just not the right taste and texture. If you're looking for a milk substitute to go in a dessert recipe (especially if the recipe calls for whole milk or half-and-half), this would probably be a good choice. It is also available in a Plain flavor.
Allergens: Soy
Vegan
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Quorn Chik'n Patties & Nuggets
I'm going to review both products in this post since they are basically the same thing, in different sizes and shapes. :)
Quorn products are made in the UK, and are apparently much more popular there. If you visit their UK website, you'll see that they have a ton more meat-free products available, from the common burger and chicken-style products to turkey, lamb, sausage, pork, and some interesting British dishes. Not only is the range of US-available Quorn products more limited, but they can be much more difficult to find in grocery stores than other vegetarian brands.
Of all the vegetarian meat analogs I've tried, these win the award for Closest Resemblance to Meat. They have the perfect chicken-like texture and feel, and a flavor that could be mistaken for lean chicken. The breading is nice and crispy with a light seasoning that complements the chik'n flavor. My only complaint about these products is that the breading has a tendency to fall off, especially if the patty/nugget gets stuck to the baking sheet while cooking.
The patties make a delicious sandwich with cheese and lettuce, and the nuggets are yummy served with barbecue sauce. But they're good for much more than that! I've cut up patties and nuggets to mix in a green salad, made vegetarian chicken parmesan (YUM), and chicken quesadillas. And I'm sure there's much more that could be made with them as well!
I highly recommend both these versatile products.
Protein source: Mycoprotein (mushroom), wheat
Allergens: Wheat, milk, egg
Vegetarian
Quorn products are made in the UK, and are apparently much more popular there. If you visit their UK website, you'll see that they have a ton more meat-free products available, from the common burger and chicken-style products to turkey, lamb, sausage, pork, and some interesting British dishes. Not only is the range of US-available Quorn products more limited, but they can be much more difficult to find in grocery stores than other vegetarian brands.
Of all the vegetarian meat analogs I've tried, these win the award for Closest Resemblance to Meat. They have the perfect chicken-like texture and feel, and a flavor that could be mistaken for lean chicken. The breading is nice and crispy with a light seasoning that complements the chik'n flavor. My only complaint about these products is that the breading has a tendency to fall off, especially if the patty/nugget gets stuck to the baking sheet while cooking.
The patties make a delicious sandwich with cheese and lettuce, and the nuggets are yummy served with barbecue sauce. But they're good for much more than that! I've cut up patties and nuggets to mix in a green salad, made vegetarian chicken parmesan (YUM), and chicken quesadillas. And I'm sure there's much more that could be made with them as well!
I highly recommend both these versatile products.
Protein source: Mycoprotein (mushroom), wheat
Allergens: Wheat, milk, egg
Vegetarian
Monday, January 5, 2009
My two-month milestone
I just realized I've been a vegetarian for two months now. Some of the things I initially found challenging are getting a little easier. I don't really miss meat, exactly, but I do sometimes miss meat-based products. For instance, I've been feeling a little under the weather for the past week, and have found myself craving a nice steaming bowl of chicken soup. But, to my knowledge, there aren't really any vegetarian chicken soup substitutes. Things like that get to me sometimes.
For the most part, I really enjoy most of the meatless food I've been eating, though I find myself getting a little bored of eating the same things sometimes. And sometimes, being the lazy and convenience-loving person I often am, the extra effort I have to put into making myself interesting vegetarian meals feels like too much bother. Especially since my boyfriend is an omnivore (and a picky one at that) -- I used to cook dinner for both of us occasionally, but that doesn't happen anymore. Even dining out takes a little extra planning because there are fewer options where both of us will eat.
They say vegetarianism is supposed to be not only better for your health, but also better for the planet... plus, the cost of producing meat (in terms of money, resources, land, etc.) is, pound for pound, much higher than producing plant-based food. So the idea that the diets of the vast majority of people in the Western world are meat-centered just boggles my mind. I guess it's easier for a lot of people. It's how they were raised. It's more convenient. Meat tastes good. Meat is everywhere. Vegetarianism is for hippies, health freaks, and animal rights activists. Excuses, excuses. I was full of them, too. I'm not sure what finally pushed me one day to give up meat completely. I had wanted to for a long time, but something inside me just felt like giving up meat would feel like some kind of self-punishment, like I would be depriving myself of something that everyone else enjoyed... not to mention just generally making life more difficult and complicated for myself. Sometimes I do still feel that way. Life is a little more difficult and complicated now. But I'm choosing to see the challenge more as an adventure than a punishment. I'm trying all kinds of new foods now that I wouldn't have felt motivated to try before.
I don't expect my blog to change anyone's life or convert anyone to vegetarianism. I'm not even convinced yet that anyone will ever read it... but if somehow, somewhere one person tries a vegetarian food for the first time because of this blog, well... w00t!
For the most part, I really enjoy most of the meatless food I've been eating, though I find myself getting a little bored of eating the same things sometimes. And sometimes, being the lazy and convenience-loving person I often am, the extra effort I have to put into making myself interesting vegetarian meals feels like too much bother. Especially since my boyfriend is an omnivore (and a picky one at that) -- I used to cook dinner for both of us occasionally, but that doesn't happen anymore. Even dining out takes a little extra planning because there are fewer options where both of us will eat.
They say vegetarianism is supposed to be not only better for your health, but also better for the planet... plus, the cost of producing meat (in terms of money, resources, land, etc.) is, pound for pound, much higher than producing plant-based food. So the idea that the diets of the vast majority of people in the Western world are meat-centered just boggles my mind. I guess it's easier for a lot of people. It's how they were raised. It's more convenient. Meat tastes good. Meat is everywhere. Vegetarianism is for hippies, health freaks, and animal rights activists. Excuses, excuses. I was full of them, too. I'm not sure what finally pushed me one day to give up meat completely. I had wanted to for a long time, but something inside me just felt like giving up meat would feel like some kind of self-punishment, like I would be depriving myself of something that everyone else enjoyed... not to mention just generally making life more difficult and complicated for myself. Sometimes I do still feel that way. Life is a little more difficult and complicated now. But I'm choosing to see the challenge more as an adventure than a punishment. I'm trying all kinds of new foods now that I wouldn't have felt motivated to try before.
I don't expect my blog to change anyone's life or convert anyone to vegetarianism. I'm not even convinced yet that anyone will ever read it... but if somehow, somewhere one person tries a vegetarian food for the first time because of this blog, well... w00t!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Morningstar Farms Grillers Prime Burger
This has been one of my favorite veggie products since I started sampling vegetarian foods. Of all the beef burger substitutes I've tried (Boca, Gardenburger, Amy's, and MSF), this has the most burger-like flavor. It doesn't taste like vegetables or have visible vegetable particles like other burger substitutes, and it has a good texture. It's definitely my first choice when I'm craving a big, juicy cheeseburger. Yum. :)
Obviously, if you're a vegetarian because you don't like the taste of meat, this would not be a good sandwich patty for you. But if you do sometimes miss hamburgers, I absolutely recommend this product.
Protein source: Soy, wheat
Allergens: Soy, wheat, milk, egg
Vegetarian
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)