Valentine Candy from Surf Sweets and TruJoy Sweets (not chocolate!)

Valentine's Day is generally all about the chocolate, but did you know that some people don't like chocolate? IT'S TRUE! Thank goodness Surf Sweets and TruJoy Sweets have this situation under control, including TONS of options for vegans. Yep, you read that right: gummies* for vegans!

Two years ago I was eating Surf Sweets' Valentine's fruity hearts all day every day, but thanks to a generous sample delivery, this week I'm positively swimming in a ton of sweet (and sour) gummy options.

Behold: fruity bears, watermelon rings, peach rings, sour worms, and those yummy fruity hearts. All are VEGAN (!), non-GMO, gluten-free, all or mostly organic, and made in the USA. I still love the hearts, but the fruity bears stole mine because they taste like Chuckles candy. Chuckles are stored in my memory bank as being delicious, but are- in reality, filled with all the yucky stuff that Surf Sweets eschews. The watermelon and peach rings were evenly divided as faves amongst the esteemed tasting panel, and the sour worms were devoured once they found the right home (we're not sour people).

But, wait; there's more! In addition to these goodies from Surf Sweets, I also received a sampling of individually wrapped candy items from TruJoy Sweets (I love individually wrapped candies because I like to fill my pockets with them).

I hesitate to say that the choco chews taste like a dark chocolate version of tootsie rolls, but at least it gives you a point of reference. You can actually see a product comparison on the TruJoy Sweet site if you're interested in seeing in writing what you can already imagine. The fruit chews are absolutely reminiscent of Starburst, another comparison made on the site. And, finally, candy canes- they're not just for Christmas anymore! These pink and mildly peppermint canes certainly blended in with the Valentine aesthetic, but I've been hoarding them because I don't like strong mint flavor and these are just my speed. All are made with organic ingredients, free of corn syrup, no artificial flavors and colors, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher (phew!); you can't go wrong.

Because even I have my limits, I became the traveling candy show- astounding friends, family, and passerby with the vegan goodness I was packing in my OCD individual containers. Note: people think you're a sweetie when you share your sweets; I try to do it as often as possible and you should too!

So, if chocolate isn't necessarily your thing this time of year or any, Surf Sweets & TruJoy Sweets have you covered.


*gummy candy is usually comprised of all kinds of gross stuff that vegans wouldn't touch with 99 1/2 foot pole. Per usual, please read all labels carefully, as not ALL of Surf Sweets are suitable for vegans; those that are clearly state "vegan" on the back of the packaging.

Organic Vegan Gluten-Free Natura Wine

It's not every day someone sends me wine to review, but that's just what the generous folks at Natura Wine did a few weeks ago and it arrived with perfect timing to imbibe poolside.

 

Knowing how infuriating it can be to source vegan wines, I'm always on the lookout for brands I can gravitate to as go-to selections. When I find one that I like, I generally keep a case on hand for guests and gifting. Natura makes vegan wine that comes from organically farmed, estate vineyards in some of the most renowned wine-growing valleys of Chile and it's also gluten-free.

 

To save you the trouble, I went ahead and checked them out on Barnivore: vegan-friendly indeed! There are nine varieties available from Natura; they sent their cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc Chilean wine.

 

VM pretty much wrestled me for them, but I managed a few mouthfuls before she got out her straw.

The pear-ish hue of the sauvignon blanc made it look particularly refreshing and it was subtly fruity without being sweet. I wanted to make it into sangria or at least a spritzer, but VM would not allow it under any circumstances; she is much more of a purist than I when it comes to wine.

The cabernet sauvignon was pure ruby: subtle berry notes with a full body that was screaming for a hearty marinara dish with which to pair.

This is just a sampling of the options- what Natura calls "varietels," on offer; they also make a merlot, carmenere, chardonnay, pinot noir, and malbec: all gluten-free wines. Head to Naturawines.com to find out more!

I promise you that 89 was only interested in the pretzels that lay just beyond the wine.

Pastariso Mac Uncheddar: vegan, gluten-free mac and cheese for the masses

I've been on a bit of a mac and cheese binge lately, so when Pastariso (a division of Maplegrove Gluten Free Foods) offered to send me a sample of their new, gluten-free, Vegan Mac Uncheddar, I did not hesitate to say, "Yes, please!"

Non-GMO and certified gluten-free, Pastariso describes their lactose free/ dairy free/ gluten free/ soy free product as "authentically cheesy, without the cheese!"

As an ethical vegan, I don't make it a habit of reading nutritional labels. But even after all of these years I still can't stop myself from reading ingredients listings on products I already know to be vegan. In the Mac Uncheddar is something called "fructooligosaccharides," which I couldn't help but to Google. I can't possibly paraphrase, so I'll at least save you the trouble by linking you to this and this. Kinda cool!

The noodle was identifiably gluten-free in that it's texture mimicked al dente semolina. The cheese flavor was mild and I was pleasantly surprised by the significant creaminess of the finished product. It was as rich as any mac, so paired well with my side of vegetables and hot sauce.

Even this gluttonous (not to be confused with glutenous, but that too) nerd was a fan of the whole shebang.

I Did it All for the Cookie: Jennifer's Way Bakery

All last week I was craving a chocolate chip cookie, but there were none in the house and I was not about to turn the oven on in this heat.  So, I just suffered my cookie-less fate day after day.

Then, this weekend- on the heels of an Ess-A-Bagel and en route to a potluck, a friend suggested that we check out a "new" bakery that had opened a few doors down from the former home of a bakery that was not my style in the least and not far from Quintessence.  I thought we were just taking a look; I hadn't really given any weight to the detour and then there it was:  Jennifer's Way Bakery; I was smitten on sight.

The indoor decor did not disappoint; the aesthetic was warm and inviting: a cross between a patisserie and TBICSITU.  It also didn't hurt that it smelled amazing throughout; if anyone wants to personalize a fragrance for me: bottle the scent of warm cookies.

I've come to realize that when faced with vegan baked goods my gleeful reaction can be a little overwhelming.  This visit was no exception; I've frightened bakery staff on two continents thus far.

no soy no dairy no gluten no problem

Everything in the relatively small case looked just-baked and even things that I wouldn't normally choose looked and sounded amazing: hazelnut thumbprint, double chocolate cookie with walnuts, etc..  But then my eyes settled on the chocolate chip cookie I had been dreaming about all week and the decision was made.  My friends each chose a thumbprint.

As soon as I laid eyes on the cookie I knew it was going to be good.  Just look at the chip to cookie ratio!  The taste exceeded my wildest expectations and, while I didn't actually lick the whole thing in order to deter requests for a taste, my friends read my mind.  Sorry; I could not have sacrificed one morsel of the soft, chewy cookie.  I also didn't manage another single photo before it disappeared into my mouth, so I'll have to go back.

It was so exquisite that ever since (with breaks for work and sleep), I've been wondering if the case the goods are kept in is warmed, as the chips were just-out-of-the-oven melty.  A cookie of dreams I tell you!

The thumbprint was also a hit, but I was too involved with my own cookie to care.

It wasn't until we went back in so my friend could get another cookie that I saw the book on the shelf and realized that this was the bakery of actress Jennifer Esposito.  I'd heard her on tv talking about her celiac diagnosis and the journey that led to her bakery, but I had no idea it was vegan.  When I asked, I was told that everything was, in fact, vegan: except for the honey in the breads.  "Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free, peanut-free, allergy-friendly, organic, artisan goodness;" it turns out it's only been open for a bit over a year, so chances are you didn't know it was there either- or that it was vegan.  Go check it out and have a chocolate chip cookie for me!

ZOUQ South Asian Snacks

I hadn't heard of Zouq's South Asian snacks before being contacted for a review, but as soon as I read what they are all about, I couldn't wait to receive the samples.

Every single variety of the snacks were extremely appealing, but the first one I dug into was the fiery sticks: delicately trimmed potato fingers tossed in a signature blend of original Indian red chilies and granulated mango powder, fried to crispy perfection.

They were like grown up hot fries crossed with potato sticks; I happen to be particularly fond of grown-ups, hot fries, and potato sticks, so I was immediately impressed.  The only reason I didn't eat the whole tin at once was because I had three other tins competing for my attention.

 

I meant to just taste one at a time, but I couldn't resist tucking into the curry crunch: a potpourri of sweet and sour taste, harmoniously blended with rice flakes, chickpea flour, peanuts and turmeric powder.

Unsurprisingly, this combination hit all the right notes of sweet, salty, and crunch.  There was no spiciness to this one, but an incredible amount of flavor.

The golden lentils: a selection of carefully sorted lentils, perfectly sauteed in oil and sea salt, resulting in a lively bite-sized snack were the plainest looking snack of them all, but I was on a roll and I wasn't going to stop until I'd sampled each of the four varieties.

On first taste I was ready to dismiss them as plain, but there is something about them that makes them just as enjoyable as the others- even though they accomplish that feat without any pizzazz.  I wouldn't necessarily choose this variety first, but the light, pleasant, crunch meant that nary a lentil went to waste.

Finally, I'd tasted my way through the assortment and made it to the jubilee mix: a blend of chickpeas, green peas, cashews, cumin seeds and coriander to give a perfectly balanced vibrant snack.

In theory, this variety reminded me of the curry crunch- solely by virtue of the assortment of flavors, textures, and spice.  But this one had so many elements- including the spiciness that was absent (but not lacking) from the curry crunch, that it may have even exceeded that one in flavorful impact.  I found myself eating a bit of each intermittently and never did decide on a favorite.

I'm no stranger to these types of snacks that can be found in South Asian markets in the U.S., but Zouq's options are in a class of their own.  I haven't seen them in the northeast as of yet saw them at Homegoods the other day, but you can also order them online; I highly recommend that you do.  They don't seem to currently be offered as a variety pack, so Zouq- if you're listening, that's my suggestion!  Happy snacking.

From the company:

ZOUQ – A New Line Of South Asian-Inspired Snacks – Launches Across The West Coast

 Made from all-natural ingredients, these exotic, vegan and gluten-free snack mixes offer a cultural experience in every bite

Los Angeles, CA (March 4, 2014) – Created by foodies that adhere to the mantra, “Share your food, share your culture”, ZOUQ is a new line of exotic snack mixes that offer an array of South Asian-inspired spices and ingredients in convenient, transportable packs.

“The name ‘ZOUQ’ came from a blend of three different words with origins in ancient languages that all relate to taste, flavor and marketplace,” said ZOUQ Founder and CEO Uzair Anjarwalla. “This blend of ancient language represents what we’re looking to do with this company, that is, create a brand that aims to connect cultures through the medium of consumer packaged foods.”

ZOUQ was inspired by the idea that food is the easiest and simplest way to participate in a culture, no matter its geographic location. With a background in entrepreneurship and a lifetime of global travel, Anjarwalla quickly realized the need for cross-cultural connection. Strong family ties in the South Asian region led to the launch of ZOUQ snack products using authentic flavors sourced directly from the culture and fabric of the area.

Each ZOUQ product is made with wholesome, all-natural ingredients and is vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol-free and MSG-free. ZOUQ South Asian-inspired snack mixes come in the following flavors:

·      Fiery Sticks: Delicately trimmed potato fingers, tossed in a signature blend of original Indian red chilies and granulated mango powder, fried to crispy perfection.

·      Golden Lentils: A selection of carefully sorted lentils, perfectly sautéed in oil and seal salt, resulting in a lively bite-sized snack.

·      Jubilee Mix blends in Chickpeas, Green Peas, Cashews, Cumin Seeds and Coriander to give a perfectly balanced vibrant snack.

·      Curry Crunch is a potpourri of sweet and sour taste, harmoniously blended with rice flakes, chickpeas flour, peanuts and turmeric powder.

The ZOUQ snack line will be available in both an easy, transportable and consumer-friendly can and single-serve pouches. The can, which is equal to roughly three/four servings, will retail for $3.99 and the single-serve pouch has a MSRP of $1.49. ZOUQ is currently available for purchase at select retail locations and online at http://zouq.com/where-to-buy/.

“We’re excited to be bringing these flavors and textures to market that are so near and dear to our hearts,” said ZOUQ President Talib Fakhri. “We want to make unique, exotic ingredients - spices and flavors we grew up with - accessible in the everyday experience.“

For more information, please visit www.zouq.com and like us on Facebook.

About ZOUQ:

ZOUQ Foods International® is a company that loves exotic foods and flavors. ZOUQ connects cultures through the medium of food, with the goal of sparking international cultural discussion and experience. ZOUQ was created by a passionate group of foodies who want to find and preserve exotic foods and flavors from around the world, and to bring them to mainstream markets and consumers of the United States in premium packaged goodness. For more information, visit: www.zouq.com

The Cinnamon Snail Continues to Prepare Impeccable Food; I Continue to Eat It

Visiting the Cinnamon Snail at the Red Bank Farmer's Market is one of our favorite day trips.

yes; this sandwich is smiling at you

Generally open from Mother's Day through fall, it's a medium-sized market with a relatively impressive assortment of fruits, veggies, plants (the non-edible kind...well, edible ones too), and assorted crafts.

purple heart (thanks for the info, GPBS!)

If you haven't been, it's a really nice way to enjoy the Snail away from the hub-bub of the city.

We usually do an inaugural walk through the market to pretend like we didn't only come to eat, and then we get on the Snail line because we basically did.  There, on this day, I met a kind man named Odie (sp?) who told me he was local to the area and a new vegan.  He could not have been in a better spot, amirite?

Snail crowd

I'll admit VM's heart broke a little when she realized her fave portabello carpaccio was missing from the new menu.  Defeated, she instead went all breakfast on me, for which I was not prepared, and ordered the blue corn pancakes: with pine nut butter and Vermont maple syrup.  This was completely unexpected, as I generally like us to be in sync with our sweet vs. savory!

Of course they were so delicious: thick, hardy, and all fancied up with their pine nut butter swag that they made her forget about the sammie for the time being (until later in the day when she implored Chef Adam to bring it back).  I may or may not have gobbled up some (alot) of her pancakes; they were insanely awesome and I don't know how or why I've never ordered them before.  Definitely put them on your must-try list from the Snail.  I can tell you from experience that Snail pancakes are even great the next day.

I was all set to order the gochujang burger deluxe for myself, but the seasonal menu changes took me by surprise as well- however contrarily.  My heart actually grew three sizes when I spied a new menu item (that may or may not have kicked the portabello carpaccio off- eek!): Thai BBQ tempeh: with pickled onions and Thai basil, arugula, smoked chili roasted peanuts, and sriracha mayo on grilled spelt bread that is right up my alley.  So much deliciousness in one place!  The contrasts of textures and flavors and all things culinary that my tastebuds appreciate more than my brain understands: this sandwich deserves a standing ovation; I'm already plotting the consumption of another (at the Vegan Shop-Up perhaps?).

I admit that I did try to sub a baguette, but Chef Adam convinced me to give the new, gluten-free bread a whirl (update: not to be confused with the spelt bread).  As you probably know, I generally reserve my gluten-free eating to select places, but I've got to admit that the man was right; it tasted mighty fine.

 

You might not know this about me, but I love me some toast (someone should make that scent into a perfume); the more old-school the better.  Had I not known, I never would have considered that this grilled bread was gluten-free.

Since we I cleaned both of our plates....let there be donuts!

Cherry chocolate cheesecake pretzel panty? party (I'm making an executive decision and going with party:

This kind of flavor-packed donut is just one of the Snail's many specialties (see the chocolate peanut butter cookie dough and chocolate cherry brownie donuts for more insight): vanilla donut with (presumably sustainably and ethically sourced zebra) chocolate and vanilla glaze, dark cherries, cheesecake cream, and chocolate-covered pretzels.

Also, VM's favorites: the traditional apple cider doughnut and the brown sugar beer-glazed.

And then...

What?  Chocolate Ice Cream Doughnuts!  Need I remind you how much VM and I like ice cream cones?  A lot!  This donut is just begging for a scoop of drumstick ice cream accompaniment.

For the record, we didn't eat everything right there and then; we took a bunch home in the Snail pail to get us through the week.

The Cinnamon Snail is always adding new items and specials to their amazing and incomparable repertoire of food, drink, and dessert.  If you haven't experienced their food yet, I respectfully urge you to get a move on; what are you waiting for?  In addition to their impeccable flavor combinations and unmatched service, what also remains consistent is their extreme dedication to fostering compassion. Thank you, Snail; we heart you for all that you do.

VEGAN LONDON: Cookies and Scream

I've been blogging my trip to London in chronological order, but I have to admit that I've been delaying this Cookies and Scream post because I've been consciously trying to forget that they exist; the temptation is too great.  Cookies and Scream is a vegan (we knew that going in) and gluten-free (we didn't know that going in) bakery that offers an incredible array of decadent sweets that are too good to believe.  Like them on Facebook to get an idea of what they have on offer from day to day, but I warn you: it will be sweet torture.

C&S is located within the Camden Lock Market, a large indoor/outdoor, both-sides-of-the-street, arts and crafts (also crap) market.

I was more than a little anxious at the prospect of finding Cookies and Scream amidst the chaos, but my traveling companion has a significantly superior sense of direction than I.

that's my kind of bar

Ta da!!

Loves it.

I had no idea that the options were going to be this vast and impressive.  The gals who were working could not have been friendlier with us or more patient with me and my ogling.  It was fabulous to have the opportunity to enjoy such spectacular baked goods while watching them create more right before our eyes.  If I lived in London, I dare say one of those stools would have a permanent imprint from my butt.

How I wished I wasn't freezing; I'm sure these scream shakes are amazing.

My friend chose the mosh! brownie: mint and chocolate.  You'll notice it says right there on the sign "try warm with cream mmm," but he didn't!

He did, thankfully, at least agree to have the brownie warmed.  Holy moly it was ridiculous.  I don't generally like brownies and I rarely like mint chocolate, but this?  This was a different galaxy of both.  OUTSTANDING.

It's no surprise that I immediately gravitated towards the chico pie: "peanut butter pie with chocolate chips- yum warmed with cream."  And I followed the directions!

This.  Cake.  Was.  Wow.  You well know that I reserve my gluten-free baking love for Gone Pie in America.  In England it's Cookies & Scream all the way.  You'd never know it was vegan and you'd never know it was gluten-free; I hope the two bakers meet one day; in the meantime, I'll continue to feed my face on both sides of the pond.

peep my pin

I'm getting full just thinking about it.  First of all, my piece was gigantic.  Second, it was warmed to just the right temperature so that the chips melted at the slightest fork pressure while the ice cream resisted.  Third, I would buy these by the whole pie if I were closer.  Stunning accomplishment; really. 

Would you believe it was so rich that I had to order a tea because a hot chocolate would have put me over the edge?  That's rich.  I chose chamomile and they seemed very proud to serve teapigs, so I'll plug 'em here.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that with a full day ahead of us; no fridge in our overly-heated hotel room; and three more days of vacation, I was not in a position to buy out the shop and call it a day.  I did, however, manage to buy a wookie to take home to my parents.  And, I may have tasted it along with them- upon my return, just to make sure that it was still okay.

It was more than okay; it was a cross between a baked good and a candy bar and it was PHENOMENAL.  Chewy wookie bar: double choc-chip, raisins, whole hazelnuts, thick chocolate; it survived without incident and was as amazing as the other things I'd tried, but in a completely different way.  In fact, the same can be said for everything I tasted from Cookies and Scream: original and outstanding.

this is the best photo I can take after an 8 hour flight

One more thing.  My friend bought one of the recommended Scream Sandwiches: two choc chip cookies sandwiched together with coconut and vanilla frosting to go...and I did not.  I don't really like frosting;  and, even though it was explained to us that the frosting inside tasted like ice cream, I did not believe that such magic could be true.  There are some mistakes in life that you cannot undo; this was one of those mistakes. Thankfully, being the good friend that he is, he allowed me to have a taste.  It turned out that the bakery-soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies did, indeed, sandwich "frosting" that managed to- inexplicably, taste like ice cream.  Believe me when I tell you: run, don't walk to buy a dozen of these if you can.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is worth the trip to London just for Cookies & Scream.  I sometimes have to block them from my social media feeds because the things they are describing sound way too good and they are much too far away.

 

If you go to the Camden London Market for nothing else, go for Cookies and Scream.  And PLEASE bring me back one of everything.  In the meantime: Cookies and Scream, would you consider delivery? 

London Tip: When you get off the tube, you'll pass tented areas that say "Camden Market;" this is not what you're looking for; keep moving down the street!