Category: Reviews

Welcome to MochiMochi Land

For years now, Anna Hrachovec has been a constant source of knitting inspiration, churning out patterns and ideas like a veritable softie factory. In fact, she’s even made adorable plush factories! With more unique and lovable ideas than snowflakes on a winter day, it was only a matter of time before a book deal came along, and the results were nothing less than spectacular.

Lucky enough to have previewed many of the patterns that would be going into this compilation by way of test knitting, I am probably somewhat biased in my assessment, but I still wouldn’t hype up Anna’s Knitting MochiMochi anymore than I felt was appropriate. While there are only 20 full designs included, there’s much more than just plain patterns included. This short but in-depth text teaches not only advanced knitters how to recreate many of those impressive yet relatively simply constructed toys, but it also has an expansive section detailing each and every type of stitch and technique necessary. There are even clear photos to go with every step! Talk about thorough.

From quirky and cute gifts to “impractical wearables” and even a section that teaches you how to design and create your own patterns, there truly is something for every crafter here. I’ve already shared my personal favorite, what Anna has called the “confused moose,” but rest assured, I have plenty more to share in future posts (and stories!). In fact, I was happy to have my favorite model, Isis, show off another adorable piece of knitwear…

[Hello? Can you still hear me over this incredibly loud sofa?!]

The “neck nuzzler”! Yes, it’s warm, soft, and cute as a button! What more can you ask for? If you don’t believe me, you’ve got to trust Isis’ judgment- She won’t wear any frilly collars or accessories, but she was quite content with this fashionable adornment.

If you knit, or want to learn, Knitting MochiMochi is a great book to turn to. I have yet to be disappointed by a single one of Anna’s patterns yet, and I’ve made almost all of them!

Hannah (BitterSweet)26 Comments

Love is Like Chocolate…

… You can never get too much of either! Especially true if the chocolate happens to be raw and peppered with exotic superfood ingredients, as is the case with the offerings from Love Street Living Foods. In case you’re not up to the task of forging your own bars of cacao goodness, fear not- This small but growing online specialty store has got you covered.

Despite their diminutive size and unassuming appearance, these are truly one of a kind, artisanal offerings in plain clothing. Made with quality ingredients in small batches by people who truly care about their products, they have a leg up on the competition before you even open the wrappers.

However, what really counts is the taste, and they pack that in without batting an eyelash. Even the “plain” Chocolate bar can hardly be called that, formulated with maple sugar and cocoa butter, you would never guess from the flavor that this was am entirely raw confection. With a firm snap between the teeth and smooth, creamy melt over the tongue, it’s every bit as good, if not better than “cooked” chocolate.

Goji berries may not be my first pick for a dessert mix-in, but they work surprisingly well in the Chocolate with Goji Berries, effectively cutting the sweetness with their naturally tart, faintly fruity flavor. Though somewhat sparse in the already small bar, the berries were evenly distributed so that I got at least one in every bite.

Featuring the new sweetener on the block, coconut sugar, the Coconut Crystal Chocolate Bar is simple and straightforward like the “plain” variety, but with the added textural interest of coarse sugar sprinkled throughout. Never fear, coconut haters- There’s not coconut flavor to speak of, as it’s only the sugar derived from the fruit that’s included.

For a more candy-like experience, you simply can’t miss the Superfood Fudge, one of my favorite choices by far. So named for the maca, lucuma, and cayenne included, the softer bite of this confection gives way to an almost fluffy texture, if you can ever describe pure chocolate as being so light. Not at all dense like traditional fudge, it’s hard to resist eating the whole piece in one sitting. But hey, with all these healthy ingredients and smaller portions, it’s not such a terrible thing to do, right?

Additionally, if you like to take your cacao in a more spreadable form, you can’t miss the Chocolate Spread and Chocolate Coconut Spread. Imagine Nutella without any fillers, distracting flavors, or unsavory ingredients, and you might get a decent idea of what these sumptuous schmears are like. Smooth and soft, right out of the fridge, the rich, full-bodied flavor of chocolate comes through on no matter what your choose as a cacao conveyance system. I couldn’t help but top my decidedly cooked cinnamon crumpets with these in the above photos, but I can also imagine swirling these spreads into oatmeal, dropping a dollop into “milk” shakes, or drizzling a spoonful over a scoop of ice cream. Not too sweet for a breakfast offering and still luscious enough to call a dessert, this is one versatile little luxury.

If that all sounds too good to be true, hang on to your hats, because it only gets better. From now until June 19, if you enter the code “BITTERSWEET” upon checkout, any order from Love Street Living Foods will be 15% off, AND you’ll get three free samples of your choice. Just don’t forget to enter your desired samples into the comments box (You’ll find your options listed below that box.)

Though ordering chocolate in the heat of summer can be dicey, these are some unique treats that are worth the risk.

Hannah (BitterSweet)20 Comments

Go with the Grain

Now that everyone’s acquainted with the unique rice beverage known as amazake, I’d like to introduce an option for those of you who balk at a recipe that takes nearly a day to complete.  Though limited there are commercial options available, but beware that not all are created equal.  For ages, I thought that all amazakes were gritty, grassy, slightly bitter, and altogether unpalatable, when in fact I had simply chosen a bad brand to start with.  Instead of making that same mistake, I’d like to recommend to you a tried-and-true source, my all-time favorite producer of these rice beverages: Grainaissance.

Based in California, this small company’s products can be more difficult for an east coaster like me to find, but the hunt is more than worth it. Churning out nearly a dozen different flavors of this drink, in addition to a handful of flavors of mochi, one gets the sense that they must really love their rice. That passion certainly shows in the end results as well. Ever since that fateful day when I stumbled upon one of those unassuming bottles at my local health food store, I’ve become utterly addicted. Sadly, I could only track down three flavors, so I actually went straight to the source, and asked the manufacturer for a wider sample. Opening that box filled with sweet rice delights was like receiving a long overdue birthday present!

Only sporadically available locally, the Vanilla Pecan Pie is the flavor that started it all and got me hooked. Expecting another sad excuse for a health elixir, I was nothing short of shocked at how incredibly and apologetically sweet it was. After skimming the label many times to find no added sugar, this is a fantastic demonstration of how amazake is naturally sweet enough to replace refined sugars in some desserts. Leading with a nutty, roasted pecan flavor, complimented by a gentle vanilla essence, I can’t say it really tastes like a slice of pecan pie, but it sure is damn good.

Similar to the Pecan Pie, but with a new nut taking center stage, the Almond Shake has a very fresh, mellow almond flavor, nothing like the almond flavor I’ve come to expect from so many artificial baking extracts. Simple and straightforward, this would be a great option for blending up into fruit shakes, or just about anything else.

Another variation on the same nut-centric theme, the Chocolate Almond promises great things, but might disappoint the serious chocoholic. Tasting much more of almond than chocolate, it has subtle cocoa undertones, but lacks the full-bodied chocolate punch I had hoped for.

For the hazelnut-lovers, you’re in luck! This oft forgotten nut gets a place of honor in the Go Hazelnuts amazake, showing just how rich and delicious they can be. Not a hint of bitterness mars this sweet but nicely balanced drink, and just the true flavor of the nut shines easily through.

Moving into more iffy territory, I wasn’t entirely sure I would like the Cool Coconut variety. Having suffered some overuse of coconut recently, the flavor has quickly grown old to my palate, but happily, it took no great effort to drink the whole bottle. Just like fresh coconut meat, pureed to creamy perfection, it still somehow manages a light and vibrant flavor. I have a feeling that even fair-weather coconut fans might like this one!

Changing up the nutritional profile a bit, the Vanilla Gorilla is the only variety to have added soy protein and calcium, making it a great option for those concerned about such things. Besides that, it’s a tasty banana and vanilla treat that I think any kid would enjoy. Sweet and soothing, it’s easy to drink and could play very nicely with plenty of other fresh fruit additions. I’m thinking that next time I open a bottle, some strawberries and an extra banana could be just the ticket to smoothie heaven.

For all you green smoothie fans out there, Grainaissance has options for you, too! The flavor that I end up buying the most, largely thanks to it being frequently stocked but also its fantastic taste, is Gimme Green, a faintly banana-flavored shake enhanced with spirulina, wheat grass, oat grass, barley grass, kamut grass, and alfalfa grass to achieve that bright green hue. Though that might all sound a little scary, fear not; All you can taste is that sweet, creamy amazake, not a hint of grassiness to taint the palate.

Switching things up a bit, Go Go Green throws a tropical twist into the mix, livening up the standard green shake with coconut and banana. I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this cheerful blend. It’s so sweet, fruity, and delicious, you could practically get away with mixing in a splash of rum, plopping in a little umbrella, and calling it a day! Yet again, the green color doesn’t impart any offensive taste in the least. Both of these flavors would be great starting points for green smoothie novices, or options for a healthy traveler without a blender.

Spicing up the array, Tiger Chai isn’t quite as powerful or aggressive as I might prefer, mellow warmth is a delightful change of pace all the same. Leading with ginger, this is a very approachable version of chai that should be agreeable with all levels of spice tolerance, with subtle undertones of black tea that round out the flavor profile nicely. Truly a complex drink that stands apart from the rest, I can’t think of anything else on the market quite like it.

Coffee enthusiasts, be aware: Mocha Java, actually contains no coffee whatsoever, taking flavor from chicory, barley, and rye instead. More malty than coffee, and not really reading as chocolate, I have to say that this may have been the biggest disappointment of the lot. Don’t get me wrong, it was still pleasant and drinkable all the same, but mocha it was not.

Of course, for those endlessly indecisive, there is always the plain Oh So Original, which you can easily dress up or down however you so desire.  This one is especially well suited for baking or cooking with, thanks to its neutral flavor.  The only thing to keep in mind is that these amazake drinks are thinner than homemade amazake, so if using them in a recipe, take that into account and adjust accordingly.

Across the board, each variety is amazingly sweet, thick, and creamy; I tend to think of them as refrigerated vegan milkshakes. Personally, I like to mix them up with different fruit juices or non-dairy milks to thin them out, or freeze them into ice cubes to blend up for frosty treats!

Hannah (BitterSweet)24 Comments

Easing into Easter

Despite my typical enthusiasm for celebrating holidays, any holidays at all, whether they come from my own culture or not, there simply aren’t enough days in the year to pull together anything truly elaborate for the upcoming spring occasions on the calendar. The duty of making a Passover dessert like usual is still haunting me, and the seder is only two days away! Easter might have gotten entirely swept under the carpet in this household, if not for the most delightful and festive surprise that arrived in the mail…

Real, authentic, vegan, peeps, courtesy of Sweet and Sara. You may recall that I went out of my way to make my own version last year, but oh, what a treat to be able to simply purchase cruelty-free, adorable marshmallow bunnies, chicks, and even eggs! Decorated with their signature dark chocolate, each one is unique; a sign of a truly handmade product. Ever so lightly pastel colored with natural ingredients, you get all the best components of the classic marshmallow peep, with no nasty bits included. It’s hard to not coo at these intensely cute creatures, but of course, the best part is still their taste.

It’s not too late to order, and if you hop on over there right now, you can get a 10% discount with the code “E10.” I don’t know about you, but finding even one of these springy mallow creatures in my Easter basket would absolutely make my holiday!

Hannah (BitterSweet)32 Comments

iHerb, youHerb…

Though I usually like to keep my reviews focused on specific edibles, books, and food companies themselves, the opportunity to go on a little shopping spree and give my 2 cents on iHerb.com, an online superstore, was just too tempting to pass up. Plus, it got both Celine’s and Ricki’s blessings, and I absolutely trust their judgment as conscious consumers, in every sense of the term.

Anyway, the thing about iHerb is that it’s pretty much like Amazon.com, but with only supplements, snacks, ingredients, and all those consumables in between. Complete with helpful customer reviews and often better prices than can be found elsewhere, even I was impressed at the selection of specialty items available, in addition to simple pantry staples like whole wheat flour, nutritional yeast, and just about every simple commodity I could think of. Excited to have the chance to give all those rare ingredients a spin, I snatched just about every strange powder I had heard of but never been able to find locally. Into my cart went pomegranate, lucuma, maca, and mesquite powder, in addition to a bag of sorghum flour that was so reasonable priced, I just couldn’t refuse.

Arriving quickly and in great shape, I’m happy to report that my shopping experience was 100% positive!

Finally, those fabled mesquite chocolate chip cookies were no longer beyond my reach! By just swapping out the butter for margarine and eggs for flax “eggs”, I had the most unusual but addictive version of a CCC I had tasted yet. It’s hard to describe the flavor, but think whole wheat with a nutty twist, plus dark, roasted notes, and perhaps a very faint hint of anise. Really, it’s one of those things that you have to taste to believe.

Next up, a new creation that begged to be brought to life: What I lovingly call Maca Maca Bars. Maca powder and macadamia nuts combine in one buttery, sweet, and decadent cookie. Though I would never post anything I thought was so-so, these were beyond delicious. I must admit, I actually hid the whole batch from my family so that I alone could eat them! If you can manage to share, I commend your will power.

That recipe will be coming up soon, and I’m sure the remaining purchases will turn up sooner or later in my baking experiments, but for now, I’m willing to bet that you’re already wondering “Okay, that’s all great, but what’s in it for me?” Well, how about a $50 shopping spree of your own? That’s right, iHerb has generously offered one reader just that, and if you comment any time between now and February 28, midnight EST, you can be entered into the running. Just tell me what you would buy if you won!

If you just can’t wait, or if you don’t win after the contest has closed, don’t fret- I have something for you too. Just enter the discount code “NAH833” at checkout to receive $5 off your first order at iHerb.

Hannah (BitterSweet)140 Comments

Saved By the Bel

Prowling the carefully arranged rows of ancient canned goods, dusty boxes, and mysterious jars that seemed more like science experiments turned sour than anything consumable, my eyes were locked in on all the new and unusual items displayed at the grocery store. Not merely shopping, but hunting, the objective was not to find something I had heard of before, but to discover something new- Something “accidentally vegan.” The thrill of the hunt brought me back to this little game time and again, excitedly flipping over packages that held even an ounce of potential, and scanning labels with a fierce, laser-like stare, seeking out any nasty bits that wouldn’t agree with me. Inevitably hitting upon something not vegan more often than not, that once prized jewel would be hurled back on the shelf where it came from with such venom, I’m surprised there weren’t more casualties left in my wake.

Rarely do I have the time to indulge this old habit any more, more inclined to get in and then get out of the store as quickly as possible, but it does always pose a temptation. Many fantastic eats have been uncovered as accidentally vegan, and I can only dream that there’s still a whole trove of delicacies yet to be revealed.

Increasingly, manufacturers are beginning to get smart to the plight of the rushed grocery shopping vegan, and have begun to actually label their goods as such. What a concept! Unlike the mainstream treats of yesteryear, these shiny new wrappers have a neat little “V” or even the whole word “Vegan” emblazoned as a bold declaration, taking the guess work (and the wild goose chase) out of it. Q.Bel is one such company, and they’ve made sure there’s nothing “accidentally” vegan about their newest creation, actually pushing that angle pretty hard in all their press releases and on the candy itself. I, for one, was thrilled, and jumped at the opportunity to sample such an unapologetically cruelty-free mainstream candy for myself.

A higher-end candy in the grand scheme of things, Q.Bel has a number of chocolate-covered wafer options, but bear in mind that only the Double Dark Chocolate Wafer Bars have no animal products. Happily, there’s no need to bemoan the lack of options; this little number is fantastic, and leaves no reason to be envious of the others. A multi-layered affair with two tiers of fluffy chocolate filling interspersed between three sheets of wafer cookies, all covered in 70% dark chocolate, it could impress any chocolate connoisseur.

Audibly crunchy, the wafers are nothing if not crisp, which is a good thing, as they have very little flavor to offer. The filling, falling somewhere between a thin sheet of frosting and chocolate mousse, brings just enough sweetness to the party, balanced out perfectly by that blanket of unadulterated chocolate on top, which brings the real chocolate flavor as well. Quality cacao to be sure, there’s a slightly bitter, woodsy edge to it, with just enough bite that it could never be deemed as cloying. Somewhat like a Kit Kat Bar, but all grown up, it’s absurdly easy to eat through a whole package without even blinking.

One of the best things about this candid labeling is that those tricky ingredients are no longer an uncertainty- No worrying about whether that lecithin came from eggs or soy. No more sinister “natural flavors” that could come from darned near anything. And, if you’re lucky enough to spy one in in your local grocery store, it could save the day when it seems no vegan options are available. Trust me, if you’re strapped for time and ideas as Valentine’s day rapidly approaches, just get your sweetie a pile of these babies. They’re no fancy, mail-order boxed chocolates, but I know I sure wouldn’t mind.

Hannah (BitterSweet)23 Comments