No matter how many different types of granolas I try, and no matter how many I fall in love with, I just can’t seem to stop browsing through the shelves of boxed grains and picking out new varieties to try. With so many different flavor combinations and formulations that all beg for a place in my bowl, how could I possibly resist? Poking further through the expansive line put out by Nature’s Path that has already proven to include some very tasty options, I couldn’t wait to see what else this reliable brand might bring to the table.

Spicy ginger, nutty cashews, and sweetened oat clusters- What’s not to love? From the moment I laid eyes on the box of Ginger Zing Granola, all I needed to do was read the description and I knew that this would become an instant favorite. Speckled with serious, sizable chunks of cashews, this is a product that makes no bones about the quality of its ingredients- Anyone with eyes can see that much! Pleasingly crunchy, the generous clumps of puffed rice and oats brought with them a bright, zesty ginger flavor that bordered between mellow and moderate, tempered perfectly with a modest sweetness. Being a ginger-lover, I could have sworn that this cereal was made with me in mind, but I’m betting that those who prefer a more tame spice would still enjoy this, perhaps softened with a good slug of soymilk if need be. Factor in the roasted, nutty notes from the cashews and you have a perfectly balanced harmony of flavors and textures. This is one granola that will definitely find its way back into my cupboard, no matter how many other granolas spark my curiosity.

My obsession with all things pomegranate meant that picking up the new creation going by the name of Pomegranate Granola with Cherries was an absolute no-brainer. Pouring out a double serving and watching the contents spill out, I must say I was unhappily surprised to see that unlike most of Nature’s Path’s offerings which include ample amount of add-ins like nuts and fruits, there was a notable lack of dried cherries. At most, there might have been one in every serving- Not enough to really constitute a mention in the title, if you ask me. Nonetheless, they provided a nice burst of tart but sweet flavor and chewiness when they could be found, providing a great contrast and adding interest to the cereal overall. Pomegranate is definitely a difficult flavor to translate into baked good or processed foods like this, so I can’t say for sure that I could identify it if I weren’t told it was included. Tasting lightly fruity but not of any specific fruit, this was still a delicious breakfast to wake up to- Something sweet, healthy, and generally agreeable to a wide range of palates.

Finally, how could any [non-allergic] body resist the siren song of Peanut Butter Granola? Promising to “tempt the taste buds” and claiming to be the first of its kind, I was excited to see how this innovative and enticing cereal measured up to my high expectations. With full peanuts spilling out of every last spoonful, there was no skimping on this mixture of grain and goodies! Intensely nutty, the smell alone filled my head with the memory of peanut butter treats and the creamy spread, so alluring that I could barely wait long enough to even close up the box before shoveling some into my mouth. The taste definitely lives up to the hype- I would have to say it’s a must buy for peanut butter fans! The only draw back is that like full-fledged, pure peanut butter, it’s rather rich, and a bowlful can sit quite heavily in the stomach. Taken in moderate amounts however, this is one decadent cereal delight!

Yet again proving to be a quality company with tasty new products, I don’t think you can really go too far wrong with anything by Nature’s Path, but you can be sure that I’ll keep on trying their new goods… Just to make sure, of course.

Forget the cherry on top- What really counts is that fluffy cloud of sweet whipped cream below. Topping off sundaes, cakes, and pies perfectly, cutting through even the densest desserts, and adding that ephemeral kiss of sweetness that leaves you wanting more, there’s simply nothing like whipped cream. I for one missed that lovely white matrix of milk fat and bubbles dearly when I first went vegan, as it has proven to be one of those mysterious substances that doesn’t easily convert into a vegan alternative. Of course, great progress has been made in recent years, bringing us Hip Whip (although it seems that the company has since gone under, sadly) and Soyatoo, my current guilty pleasure. Still, there’s empty space on the grocery store shelves for a product that can actually be whipped, not just extruded from a can. If it were possible to whip vegan creme from the start, then the culinary possibilities would be endless…

Thankfully, I’m not the only one who thinks so, and First Foods from the UK has taken the initiative to create Oat Supreme, the very first heavy cream substitute that I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing for myself. Upon first exhuming the carton from that unassuming brown, cardboard packing box, I could scarcely contain my excitement, and quickly moved both it and my mixing bowl into the fridge so that my experimentation could begin asap. Of course, nowhere on the carton did it explicit say that it could be whipped, but with anxious optimism, I hoped against hope that this would be the answer to my whipped cream prayers.

Shaking up that little blue box a few hours later, I cut open the tab and unleashed a flood of thick, creamy white liquid, pouring it quickly into my chilled bowl. Having abstained from using heavy cream for so many years, I was actually quite surprised at how viscous it really was- Practically a ready-made sauce, it reminded me instantly of coconut milk, which might explain how coconut whipped creme is possible.

Getting right down to work, I cranked up my trusty mixer to its highest setting and let it rip. Barely five minutes had elapsed before I was staring straight into a bowl full of pillow soft whipped topping, at least doubled or tripled in volume!

Deceptively rich and heavy for such a light and fluffy composition, it was certainly a decadent way to top of any dessert. Tasting almost exactly like my beloved Soyatoo, it was the most I could do to restrain myself from eating it plain by the spoonful! After getting my fill of this delicious, creamy fluff, I decided to store it in the fridge overnight and see how it would hold up. Come daytime, there it all was, still perfectly whipped, and without even the slightest sign of separating! Not one to let this opportunity go to waste, I used to remnants to make a delightful mint chocolate chip semifreddo, which was eaten just as soon as it had solidified enough to be considered “semi-frozen.”

Of course, such a versatile product could also be used for countless other savory applications, such as cream sauces and gravies… Truly, I don’t think that there’s anything that Oat Supreme can’t do! If only I had more than one carton to play around with, and if only it were more readily available in the states… but alas, for now we must hope that American markets clear some shelf space for this miraculous product, and soon!

[Written for Go Dairy Free]