Category: Reviews

Move over Sweet and Sara, there’s a new vegan marshmallow in town! And just who would have the smarts, skills, and creativity to make this elusive confection? You! Well, it’s thanks to the innovative folks over at Angel Food and their revolutionary marshmallow kits, but you’re the one who’s actually cooking up these sweet treats, so you can take at least some credit here, right?

Based in New Zealand, they’ve been busily cranking out cruelty-free marshmallows for lucky locals, but when trying to ship them abroad, it seems that those fragile mallows go south quickly. In order to share their creations with vegans abroad, they’ve developed an ingenious way to ensure freshness, no matter how far away; By sending the basic ingredients in two packets for the recipient to put together for themselves. Supply your own sugar, syrup, and starch, and you’ve got yourself a highly economical and crafty indulgence, much more fun than picking up a pack at the store and less pricey (all things considered) than the current alternatives.

Whipping up a steady foam in no time, the most difficult part of the whole endeavor is waiting. Waiting for to achieve soft peaks, waiting for the syrup to boil, waiting for the syrup to cool down, and then waiting for the marshmallows to set. The same could be said for any marshmallow recipe, so patience is perhaps the most important ingredient in this process.

After letting them set up over night, I cut my pristine white slab into small cubes, some of them more ragged than others due to the incredibly soft nature of the marshmallow, but all of them more than edible. In fact, the ugly ones were first to go- I was just cleaning up, after all.

Surprisingly soft, they really were cloud-like, dissolving into an ephemeral sweet whisper onto my tongue with hints of vanilla. Not even the least bit chewy as I expect from marshmallows, they showed no resistance when faced with the most gentle of bites. Simply melting away as if they never existed in the first place, it was easy to keep on popping the pale squares into my mouth one after another, proving them to be dangerously addictive indeed. If it says anything about the marshmallows (or perhaps my sweet tooth) I’m certain I was responsible for at least half of that batch going missing after a mere 24 hours.

The good news is that they get even better with age- Those that I could leave be for a bit longer began to form a pleasant crust around the outside, giving them more texture and substance than those newborn mallows. The bad news is that hardly any of them lived long enough to reach that stage. I would highly recommend hiding the entire pan someplace for at least a day or two before digging in, but trust me, this is much easier said than done.

Being so light and fluffy, I really could imagine these marshmallows as treat that angels might munch on… But now, a little bite of heaven is much more attainable than ever before.

Convenience foods are undeniably attractive options when compared with traditional, time-consuming dishes, and so I can see how easy it is to get lured in by the seductive notion of easy eating. Just heat and go! No need to chop, measure, or use your brain at all! Salads come pre-washed and pre-assembled, since the task of compiling 6 or 7 vegetables and breaking them down is far too difficult for the average multitasking American. Sadly, the siren song of these effortless comestibles is far too strong to resist completely- After all, who wants to make pizza dough from scratch when you’re already pressed for time and so hungry that you’re liable to gnaw off a hunk of your own steering wheel as you drive home? Homemade is always infinitely better, but unless you do nothing but cook all day long, it isn’t always a realistic possibility.

On the other end of the spectrum are those pointless conveniences that are made for the laziest and most reluctant cooks, and stumbling upon a box of frozen, steel-cut oatmeal at Trader Joe’s I thought for sure I had another one to add to the list. Seriously, frozen oatmeal? How busy/cooking-incompetent/mentally impaired would you have to be to need pre-cooked, frozen oatmeal? Passing the freezer section with just a bit more fear for the future of home cooks, I was convinced that the contents of that box were made from the stuff of nightmares. This preconception lasted for weeks, and then months before I was tempted by that ever-present push for easy meal options, and actually stopped to investigate. Only 4 ingredients, no chemicals, plenty of fiber and protein, and no crazy additives in sight. Perhaps it wasn’t completely evil? Embarrassed to pick up such a product, I brought it sheepishly to the register, trying to nonchalantly slip it in with the other groceries so that it wouldn’t seem quite so ridiculous.

What a lazy, foolish consumer I felt like, bringing home pre-cooked oats. Trying to rationalize, it was true that these were much higher-quality than the instant stuff, and I really wouldn’t have the time to make steel-cut otherwise… And so into my freezer it went. Surprisingly, it didn’t say there long- The very next day, exhausted from a demanding exam, I was convinced that nothing on earth would recharge me in time for the next class. Grasping at straws, the oatmeal seemed like the best option, and so out it came. And my heart sunk, heavy with regret, upon seeing my snack…

It would be kind to describe the appearance as frozen cat food, or even a brick of baby food. Regret reared its ugly head, but trust me on this one: While it’s not a looker, it does get better from here. Freed from its plastic casing, the beige block went into a bowl and after being nuked for a solid 6 minutes (not 2-3 as the box so enthusiastically claims), a bowl of hot cereal never looked so inviting.

Too tired to fancy it up, I dug right in, and was impressed right off the start by its thick texture, much to the contrary of its soupy appearance. Perfectly thickened, the toothsome texture of the oats was simply spot-on, something I would have never imagined possible for a frozen product. Delightfully chewy, modestly sweetened to just the right degree, this is an oatmeal that everyone could find agreeable. Adding cinnamon really brought it up to a whole new level, as did a few fresh strawberries, but the beauty of this one is that because it’s so basic, you can add in anything you want! Dried fruits, spices, additional sweeteners- It’s all good, so go crazy! Most incredibly, after eating what might have otherwise seemed like a small portion, I was incredibly full. Satisfying my hunger and boosting my energy up like magic, this stuff has earned a permanent spot in my freezer.

Far exceeding my expectations, I suppose it goes to show that all convenience foods aren’t necessarily so bad… At least in this case, this is one breakfast I can definitely feel good about!

Magic in your mouth. That’s the way Wheeler’s Black Label describes itself, with no hint at modesty or shyness, proclaiming superiority in a fiercely competitive field. A bold move from this newborn company, facing up against the big boys like Häagen-Dazs and Baskin Robbins without so much as flinching. This apparent lack of tact would normally be an instant turn off in my book, but this time, I’m behind them 100%. None of this boasting could outshine such an incredible creation that absolutely deserves this praise, and then some. Not only does their ice cream come in more incredible flavors than you could even dream up and taste like nothing else on the market, but it’s completely vegan. Sure, I do have a certain soft spot for frozen desserts, but mark my words: This stuff puts everything else out there to shame.

Craving a taste since word first reached my ears about this “magical” frozen treat, I could hardly contain my excitement when the carton of four chocolate variations arrived at the door. Having waited for so long, I threw myself upon the box and got right to work, snapping pictures fast as the temptation to tear into each bowlful proved overwhelming. I must apologize in advance for the sloppy photos that resulted.

First up was Mexican Chocolate, an unassuming shade of medium brown that concealed what intense flavors it contained. Smelling of sugar and cocoa with a few floral notes and a fragrant vanilla perfume, only a taste would tell what a fox in sheep’s clothing it truly was. Melting smoothly across my tongue like no other vegan ice cream has before, snatches of sweet cinnamon burst like fireworks before engulfing the whole palate. Super smooth, velvety, and rich, I swear my eyes must have rolled back into my head on the first taste. An incredibly well balanced concoction, the spice actually is the star here, while the chocolate flavor provides an elegant backdrop to support it. Sad to say, the entire container was gone before I had finished writing down notes, and I could have easily polished off two or three more right then and there had I been given half a chance.

Moving next to Chocolate Coconut, I could already tell that good things were in store just by the tropical scent that dazzled my nose while photographing this stuff. Casually sneaking a taste while I had my back turned, my mom declared “Wow, that is coconut!” and a moment later when I tried it for myself, I must have echoed her words exactly. So very coconut, it’s crazy! Like an exotic vacation in the tropics, smothered with decadent, creamy chocolate, who needs paradise when you can have ice cream? Pieces of shredded coconut emerged in every spoonful, adding to the astonishing flavor, but as a fair-weather coconut enthusiast, this was a bit much for me. Coming off as perhaps gritty when it looks like it should be smooth, it was still very good overall… But not exactly my cup of tea.

My enthusiasm for this next flavor is simply through the roof, and I couldn’t possibly wait to declare this one as my favorite of the batch, the clear winner even in a race of champions: Chocolate Black Russian. Now, I had only heard of a white russian previous to this experience, but a little bit of research proved that a black russian was pretty much the same thing, only without cream. Pretty clever, Wheeler! Having had little experience with alcohol, I wouldn’t be able to tell you how close this comes to the original drink, but to me, this ice cream base is the best coffee ice cream I have tasted since going vegan. Seriously, my first thought was “Woah, this seriously tastes like Häagen-Dazs!” I still can’t quite wrap my mind around it, the flavor is just so insane. Add in some huge slabs of bittersweet chocolate that snap cleanly between the teeth, and I swear my heart could have stopped while eating this and I wouldn’t have noticed. It is that good. If heaven were an ice cream, this must be what it tastes like.

Finally, all that remained of my incredible treasure was Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. Sporting those same lovely chocolate chunks as the Black Russian, it was certainly a treat just to look at. Smelling of nothing but roasted peanuts, it promised a serious peanut-punch despite its pale pallor. Rich as a spoonful of pure, frosty peanut butter with chocolate sprinkled in, this stuff is maddeningly addictive. For those who are already harboring peanut butter obsessions, this just might be like crack-cocaine, so I must warn against trying it. Especially since that would leave more for me.

This stuff was so convincing that I was almost worried that it might not be vegan after all, but the proof was in digestion: Days later and still no ill effects, I’m thrilled and overwhelmed at how delicious this new dairy-free option is. Although it’s still a bit hard to come by, slowly but surely Wheeler’s is breaking into various restaurant menus and hopefully on to the open market… I just wish it would hurry up, as my main complaint is that they didn’t send me enough!

[Written for Go Dairy Free.]

Times of merriment and gluttony are already becoming a distant memory- The side dishes devoured, gingerbread house picked clean; all that remains are those dirty dishes, and perhaps a bit of extra “holiday cheer” around the hips. After so much excess and that New Year’s resolution still fresh in your mind, I do feel a bit guilty tempting you with additional sweets… And yet here I am, with a product review for you of nothing less decadent than some fancy chocolate. But wait, don’t go! This one is different from your run of the mill candy bar, and could even satisfy the need to cut back after that extra helping of Christmas cake.

Packaged in diminutive little tins, Sweet Riot provides that little chocolate hit right when the craving strikes, but in a respectable portion. Easy to fit into a purse or pocket, they’re the best thing since sliced bread- Or at least since breath mints. Plus, once all of the sweet morsels inside are long gone, you can find many cute and creative ideas on how to recycle the tin on their website.

I had the pleasure of sampling Flavor 65, meaning 65% dark chocolate surrounding roasted cacao nibs. Pouring out the shiny pebbles onto the table, I thought for sure that those insignificant brown specks wouldn’t last ten minutes for lack of substance. Boy, was I ever wrong. Intensely chocolate-tasting with a fruity touch of sweetness, followed by hint of bitterness and then that insatiable crunch when you get to the center of the nugget, these things were just packed with flavor and toothsome texture. Just the right balance of cocoa and sugar, crunchy and creamy, I don’t think anyone would be able to find fault in this formula.

The only downside is the high price, but since you really do get what you pay for in terms of quality cacao, it’s just another incentive to make those sweet treats last a bit longer.

If you haven’t yet heard of Sweet & Sara vegan marshmallows, then you are either not vegan or foodie-oriented, or you live under a rock. Sorry to break it to those who might still be residing in the stone age, but these incredible confections have been the most exciting product to hit the marketplace since Soyatoo. Currently, they’re the only brand of marshmallow suitable for vegans, so they hardly need any extra buzz to pump up sales… Of course, for the purposes of scientific research, I felt it was my duty to see for myself what the hype was all about. It’s all for the benefit of vegan-kind, you see!

Two high and low points are immediately obvious about this product before we even leave the store: They cost one serious chunk of change in comparison to the standard factory-made marshmallow, and can be rather difficult to obtain locally if you aren’t lucky enough to live near a Whole Foods (unless you’re dead set on getting your mallow on, in which case they can be ordered online.) These points seem only like negatives, but trust me, if those barriers didn’t exists, I don’t know how I would convince myself to eat anything other than those sugary white pillows.

For this simple taste test, I only purchased the standard vanilla variety, but they also come in toasted coconut, and are even used to create some devilishly decadent pre-packaged s’mores, things that clearly need further investigation in the future. Biting into one plain, cold mallow, you might not expect much of a taste sensation, but these babies were in a whole different league than the standard: Soft, creamy, and just a tad chewy, it was like biting into a vanilla-scented cloud. While I had imagined that eating them straight would be tooth-achingly sweet, they actually proved to have a relatively balanced sugar content, which made them dangerously munchable. Admitedly, I can’t say that they truly struck me as being “fluffy”, but trust me, these aren’t just full of air like the traditional “jet-puffed” mallows; These are confections of substance!

Before I had the chance to mow through the package as is, I decided to roast one over an “open flame” (read: my gas stove) and see how it stacked up. Sure enough, the edges began to brown and bubble in no time, yielded a saccharine, gooey ecstacy, far better than any campfire treat that I could remember. Even cut into pieces and drowned in a cup of hot chocolate, they still held their own, refusing to melt before the bulk of the drink had been imbibed, and lent a delicious added sweetness to the whole beverage. Truly, I don’t think that you can go wrong with these, no matter how you choose to indulge with them.

I’ve been waking up on so many dreary winter days to find that the sun has been blotted out by clouds, and icicles outnumber people outside. On these days, it takes a lot to force a snug sleeper out of bed. Even though breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, most easy options simply can’t compete with a set of soft, warm blankets. Unquestionably, it’s all about staying warm around this time of year. When the mercury drops below the 20’s, the usual offerings of cold cereal or chilled yogurt are simply out of the question. The easy answer is often instant oatmeal, easily prepared even before the coffee has kicked in and cleared up a hazy mind; it’s hot, filling, and comforting. Without those soft, sweet oats, I don’t know what I’d do- And for those who can’t digest most commercial oats, that dilemma is all too real. Luckily, a diagnosis of Celiac’s disease is far from a culinary death sentence, and there are plenty of other tasty grains that could make one mean morning meal. Take for instance, instant quinoa cereal, like that made by AltiPlano Gold.

Offering up five different varieties that sound just like any of the other tasty options one might find on grocery store shelves, I was lucky enough to get my paws on three of those flavors. Each comes in boxes of 12 individual packets, ready go at a moment’s notice and cooked up in a mere 60 seconds- Even my speedy instant oatmeal can’t match that!

Starting out with the flavor most familiar to me, my go-to combination, I dumped the powdery contents of one Spiced Apple Raisin packet into my bowl and heated the water separately, as instructed. After some micro-love, in went the boiling water, and the 60 second countdown began. At first, a watery, soupy mix stared back at me from the depths of my bowl, but almost like magic, it soon thickened into a sturdy porridge. While admittedly not the most photogenic meal, the smell of spice was in the air and I couldn’t wait to dig in.

Mostly smooth but with the occasional sensation of grittiness across the tongue, the texture of the cereal on its own leaves a bit to be desired. I couldn’t help but feel like I was eating baby food after a few spoonfuls, as it was pretty much the definition of “mush.” Thankfully, the addition of some nice chewy raisins and chunks of apple save this concoction by offering up some much needed contrasting texture. Lightly sweetened to a pleasing degree (nothing to start you bouncing off the walls first thing in the morning), I would have been extremely happy with the flavor… If not for the startling lack of spice. Sure, I do like good amount of cinnamon in my food (read: TONS) so this might be the perfect amount for someone who’s a bit more spice-shy. A few quick shakes of my handy cinnamon jar and this was a perfectly palatable breakfast.

When I saw that a envelope of Almond Chai was included in my sample pack, I could hardly contain my excitement. I love, love chai in just about anything- cakes, cookies, or plain old tea- chai is a flavor that makes my taste buds sing. Never before had I even thought of using this delightful combination of spices in a hot cereal, so I was quite curious to see how it was interpreted by AntiPlano Gold.

Mulling over my first bite, the flavors of chai didn’t exactly punch me in the face and make themselves known, but they still were definitely present in a mellow, agreeable tone. The big surprise here were the almonds- While I had originally written them off as the token add-in, they really brought a lot of wonderful crunch and nutty flavor to the party. Ultimately, when I went back and sampled all three flavors one last time, this one came out on the top of my list.

Finally, I was left with one dubious-sounding offering- Oaxacan Chocolate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for having chocolate for breakfast, but trying to incorporate it into a “real” meal and calling it healthy backfires all too often. Still, I wanted to give this a fair shot and an unbiased review, so I put those initial thoughts behind and spooned up a big serving of this controversial quinoa.

As with the previous varieties, the flavoring was fairly mild; Definitely a “cocoa” taste as opposed to a rounded, rich “chocolate” taste. Thankfully, I’m usually not in the mood for something crazy decadent that early in the morning, so this suited me just fine, although it might disappoint some sugar-fiends or younger kids. Unarguably heartier than a slice of chocolate cake, the flavor really grew on me as I ate it, and I had to admit, it was quite delicious! This is certainly a healthier way of thinking about “hot chocolate!”

For anyone who’s looking for just another oatmeal alternative, this might not be for you. However, if you want a hot breakfast option that’s in a whole different category, definitely give this flavored quinoa a try. When it’s all said and done, these wee little packets made for a seriously hearty meal and kept me full all morning. Much healthier than most commercial instant oatmeal as well, substituting some quinoa could help you sneak a bit more protein into your routine. For those with severe gluten intolerance or just the health nuts among us, AltiPlano can keep you satisfied throughout those cold winter days.

[Written for Go Dairy Free]