Our Kitchen Kit: Vegan Edition

We’re backkkkk….again!

Yes, we checked out for a nice minute. We feel like a total broken record saying that (insert a million emojis here) 

We will admit it. But we are super pumped to B”H be working on #opop stuff again!

With Purim just over and Pesach just 2 weeks away (yikesss) food is on everyone’s mind (check out previous years recipes for detox ideas and recipes for the Chagim)

In recent years plant based products have become a major trend- whether you are a true Vegan, a Vegan wannabe , or just love trying new different things. The Kosher food industry really upped their game with substituting dairy, meat, gluten items for something supposedly healthier and even at times yummier (yup we said it) 

Like what? Good q!

Check out our yays and nays on some top Vegan items out on the market.

Ladies & Gents we introduce to you Our Kitchen Kit: Vegan Edition 🙂

Let’s start with one of the biggest products to hit the food industry shall we?

The Impossible Burger/ Impossible Meat/Veggie Burgers/Dogs- yes please or no no?

D: I will admit, the first time I tried the Impossible burger/meat I was NOT a fan. I am an all around animal lover, but I’d prefer my burgers come from an actual cow. There is no comparison….but then I tried it again, prepared way better and it was yum. Veggie burgers differ but are nonetheless delicious. Dr. Praeger has great ones that you can find in the freezer section! But also making them from scratch is so so good (I personally love black bean burgers:)

R: Ok I have a confession to make… I’ve never had an impossible burger or used impossible meat at all. Shocking, I know. I prefer my burgers to be beef and if I’m going to have a vegan meal I try to use other ingredients and not try to just substitute meat. For example check out our Indian Curry Recipe – it’s vegan and no meat substitute necessary. I’m also not a huge veggie burger fan unless it’s the Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers from Trader Joe’s – those are delicious! 

Vegan Cheese vs. Actual Cheese

D: Die hard cheese lover here. Anything with cheese makes me happy. But with that being said, I actually do enjoy vegan cheese as well. I think it’s a great substitute when you need to get off cheese for a bit, or can’t have the real thing at all. Daya carries a variety of vegan cheeses, shredded and sliced! I recently heard of Violife cheeses and have yet to try it- but it looks great! 

R: Again I have to be real here. I’m dairy allergic so I’ve never had real cheese but I can wholeheartedly say that in my humble opinion homemade cheese substitutes are way better than store bought. Also for some reason restaurants do it better too! If you are in Manhattan check out Mr. Broadway’s Mac and Cheese. It’s delicious and totally pareve! Also try making your own cheese sauce with nutritional yeast! 

Dairy vs. Plant based milks

D: “Don’t cry over spilled (parve) milk” is my motto in life….in my humble opinion it doesn’t belong in coffee at all. Smoothies and baked goods are another story.

 I love using Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze Unsweetened Chocolate Almondmilk– actually yum and no added sugar (so guilt free as well:) It isn’t creamy though, for a cremier thicker consistency try oat or cashew milk! I love Forager products- they carry vegan milks with no added sugar etc so super yum and good for you.

R: Devorah – I’m right there with you. Blue Diamond Unsweetened Chocolate Almond milk is the best! Although, that’s what I usually use in my coffee :). I also love Oatly original oat milk. I want to get really frothy milk for a latte. I generally use Blue Diamond Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk in pretty much everything else from baking to mashed potatoes (don’t knock it till you try it!) 

Tofu or To-dont ?

D: Yes yes yes!! Tofu really doesn’t have much flavor, but that’s what makes it the best canvas for so many flavors! Even a simple pan fry with evoo, salt, and maybe a few more spices is so simple and good. I love using the extra-firm one, so it holds up to cooking it. Tofu is pretty much a sponge, so whatever flavors you infuse in it will soak right up.

R:  Tofu isn’t my favorite on its own but I love it incorporated into dishes such as hot and sour soup. I also love using tofu based products from the brand Tofutti specifically their cream cheese in cheesecake and their Tofutti cutie ice cream sandwiches make the best dessert. 

Healthier butters & margarines 

D: Depends… butter is butter. So that really can’t be replaced, but I love using Earth Balance buttery spreads. 

R: I have and will only use Fleischmann’s Margarine from now until the end of time. It’s what my mother and her mother use and honestly I’ve tried other things but the consistency is never the same.