Category: Food

Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! After being a huge fan of Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze (see full review HERE), I decided to try out the Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada. I was really in the mood for some enchiladas, so when I saw this option at the grocery store I picked it up! Unfortunately, this meal was not a hit for me. Let me tell you why I won’t buy it again.

As with the Rice Mac & Cheeze, the Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada is vegan and gluten free. It contains two enchiladas, with a combined 10 grams of protein. The enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, black beans, tofu, and vegetables. As with all Amy’s products, I appreciate the clear labeling on the box so I know it is certified vegan. It’s always nice when I don’t have to read any ingredients!

Unfortunately, the enchiladas were a bit of a disappointment for me. The main reason is because they did not heat up well in the microwave. Even though I followed the heating instructions, the tortillas were hard as a rock after cooking – I couldn’t even cut through them easily with a steak knife! I also found that the filling was not evenly distributed in the enchiladas. More importantly, the enchiladas didn’t taste all that great to me. They were okay, but they were not as flavorful or filling as I would like. When I pair the lackluster taste with the poor cooking result, I would not buy these enchiladas again, especially considering the price tag of $3.69.

All in all, I’m glad I tried out the Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada so I could share my thoughts on this product with you! I am still a big fan of the Amy’s brand, and will continue to purchase and enjoy other products. These enchiladas just did not work for me. After this fail, I decided to make my own enchiladas, and found THIS amazing recipe from the blog Full of Beans. It was 100% worth my time and effort, and now I have a new recipe to add to my repertoire.

Have you tried the Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada? Let me know in the comments!

Vegan Banana Applesauce Muffins Recipe

Happy Food Friday! Today I am excited to share a recipe with all of you. I recently ended up with an overripe banana, and that meant it was baking time! I did a search of the web for some banana muffins, but all of the recipes I found required at least two bananas, and I only had one. I decided to create my own recipe based off of THIS simple one from PETA. I’ve made these Vegan Banana Applesauce Muffins a couple times now, and today I’ll be sharing this easy and delicious recipe with you!

This recipe is not only simple to make, but it uses ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. What’s great about using applesauce in baking is that it works like an egg to hold the batter together, and it also keeps the muffins really moist. You do not taste a strong apple flavor in these muffins. Instead, they taste just like traditional banana bread! These are a great breakfast treat for anyone, whether you are vegan or not. I love enjoying them with my morning coffee!

Print Recipe
 Vegan Banana Applesauce Muffins Recipe
Delicious banana applesauce muffins made from simple ingredients. These are perfect for breakfast or snack time, and are great to bring for brunch! Even your non-vegan friends will love these muffins!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Vegan
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 20 Minutes
Servings
Muffins
Ingredients
  • 1 Ripe Banana
  • 3/4 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 2 cups Flour
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Vegan
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 20 Minutes
Servings
Muffins
Ingredients
  • 1 Ripe Banana
  • 3/4 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 2 cups Flour
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 360º.
  2. Mash banana in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add applesauce, vegetable oil, and sugar to banana and mix well.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking soda.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until blended.
  6. Pour batter into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Share this Recipe

I hope you enjoy this recipe for Vegan Banana Applesauce Muffins! If you try this recipe, I want to know. Tag me on Instagram HERE so I can see your photo.

What do you make with overripe bananas? Let me know in the comments!

Campbell’s Well Yes! Italian Vegetables with Farro Soup Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m reviewing another vegan food product for all of you, and this time I have some soup! I’m always on the hunt for a good soup to have on hand in the pantry, and I discovered that one of the new Well Yes! soups from the brand Campbell’s is vegan. I thought the Italian Vegetables with Farro sounded delicious, so I grabbed a can and got to eating. Let me share my thoughts on this soup with all of you!

Well Yes! is a line of soups from Campbell’s that are created with nutrition in mind. I absolutely love the clear labeling on these cans, which states whether the soup is vegan or vegetarian, and also shares that the can is BPA free and the soup is made without preservatives. The Italian Vegetables with Farro is the only variety of Well Yes! I found that is vegan, but I’m excited that Campbell’s has at least one soup directly catering to vegans. This soup in particular features tomatoes, white beans, carrots, red peppers, and zucchini. Each serving has 4 grams of protein, which could definitely be better.

The first thing I noticed about the soup is how amazing it smells upon opening the can! The soup has a really nice flavor, and I like the ratio of vegetables to beans to grains. On its own, the soup is not very filling. The broth is definitely on the thin side, and that was the main drawback for me. I felt like the soup was not a complete meal on its own, partly because the broth is so light, but also because I would like a more nutritious meal. Thus, I repurchased the soup and added it to some whole wheat pasta as a sauce. That was an okay idea, but it still wasn’t great. Overall, although I think the soup is tasty, it’s not something I would have on a regular basis. Instead, I would keep it on hand for sick days, or days when I’m really in a pinch for a meal.

I hope this review of Campbell’s Well Yes! Italian Vegetables with Farro Soup was helpful to you! I purchased this can for $2.49, which is more than I would like to spend for prepared soup. As I mentioned, this is a nice item to have on hand in the pantry, but I would not eat it regularly. I am very glad that Campbell’s made this vegan option, and I hope the brand will release more vegan soups in the future!

What is your favorite kind of soup? Let me know in the comments! 

Marshalls Haul | Vegan Food & Beauty

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I have a haul to share with you. I recently went to Marshalls for the first time in quite a while, and I couldn’t believe my luck. I discovered a plethora of vegan food products, and some vegan beauty products, too! While I knew Marshalls sold some food, I had no idea my local store had expanded to include a few isles of goodies, many of which are vegan. There were so many tasty treats available that I had to limit myself to a few things. I’m so excited to share with you my vegan haul from Marshalls!

FOOD

Cybele’s Free To Eat Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies – $3.99

This box of cookies started the haul for me. When I saw vegan Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies on the shelf I just knew I had to try them. These cookies are from the brand Cybele’s, which specializes in products that are free of the top eight allergens. I’ve already tried all of the food products in this blog post, and I’m happy to report I really enjoyed these cookies. They were such a nice treat, and I think the price was good for a box of 12 cookies considering this is a boutique brand. I stopped by the brand’s website and there are coupons available HERE if you would like to try them for a discounted price!

The GFB Gluten Free Bites in Dark Chocolate Coconut – $3.99

Next I grabbed this bag of Gluten Free Bites in the flavor Dark Chocolate Coconut. I’m sure you will notice that many of the vegan products I feature on the blog also happen to be gluten free, but I do not eat a gluten free diet. It just so happens these two dietary restrictions overlap in many specialized foods! I thought these bites sounded delicious, and I was right. It felt like eating cookie dough, and I loved the coconut outside with a gooey inside. Plus, two bites have 4 grams of protein, which is pretty good in a mini snack. I also saved a dollar buying this product at Marshalls, as a bag retails for $5.00 on the brand’s website HERE.

Pereg Quinoa with Spinach – $2.99

The last food item I purchased was a Quinoa with Spinach packet from Pereg Natural Foods. I needed to get at least one meal option instead of snack food, right?! This quinoa was really tasty, and very easy to make as it comes with all the spices pre-mixed into the packet. I am surprised to learn that this product sells for $4.80 on the brand’s website HERE, meaning I saved nearly $2.00 by shopping at Marshalls! I also got two meals out of this, stretching my dollar even further. First, I made the quinoa for dinner and sautéed some broccoli and garlic to make complete the meal. I then finished the leftovers for lunch the next day by adding the quinoa to a salad for added protein! I would definitely buy this product again, perhaps try the other flavors as well.

BEAUTY

Eco Tools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths – $2.99

Last but not least, I stopped by the beauty section to see if there were any products I needed to try. I found a lot of great vegan options, but limited myself to one new-to-me product. I purchased a pack of the Eco Tools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths because I thought they were an amazing price at $2.99. As it turns out, I got a great steal! These clothes retail for $6.99 on the brand’s website HERE. I saved $4.00 by shopping at Marshalls. I think this is because Eco Tools has new packaging for this product, so the products with the old packaging are now discounted. I’m so excited to use these cleansing cloths whenever I travel, or perhaps on days where I really need a clean brush but don’t have the time for a complete cleansing session. I’ll be sure to report back once I’ve tested these!

That wraps up my latest Marshalls Haul! I still cannot believe I found all of these vegan products for such great prices. I know some people are wary about buying food at stores like Marshalls, but so long as you check the expiration dates and ensure the packaging is in good shape you shouldn’t have any problems. All of the food I purchased was well within the expiration dates, and they tasted fresh! If you are struggling to find some treats that meet your dietary restrictions, I highly recommend seeing what your local Marshalls has to offer. I know I will be going back whenever I’m in the mood to try a new product, especially a yummy treat like cookies!

What unexpected finds have you discovered at Marshalls? Let me know in the comments!

Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze Review | Vegan & Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I am excited to share a review of the Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze with you. A few weeks back I had a craving for boxed macaroni and cheese. Yes, boxed mac and cheese specifically! I know there are some vegan varieties out there, but unfortunately my local grocery store doesn’t carry any. I luckily spotted the Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze in the freezer section, and internally squealed with joy! My mac and cheese craving was about to be conquered!

This box was a bit expensive at $3.69, especially when compared to what boxed mac and cheese normally costs, but it was worth it for a special treat! Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze is not only vegan, but it is gluten free and soy free as well, so it’s great if you have a lot of food allergies. This is, of course, a junk food, and it is very high in fat at a whopping 22 grams. Luckily, it has 8 grams of protein, which I think is pretty good for this small container. Once I got home I noticed that the product is made using Daiya cheese. I think Daiya has a very specific and acquired taste, so I was a bit nervous about how this would be. Luckily, I really enjoyed it!

Here is what the Mac & Cheeze looks like once it is cooked. I used the microwave, but it can also be made in a conventional oven. It may not look that appetizing, but it’s quite delicious and definitely satisfied my mac and cheese craving! I love how creamy the sauce is, and the pasta has a nice texture to it. I don’t think I’ve ever had rice pasta before, but it’s really tasty in this dish. I wouldn’t say this tastes exactly like non-vegan mac and cheese, but it is a close substitute for sure.

You can tell I am a big fan of this product because I repurchased it the next time I went to the grocery store! This time I added some sautéed broccoli and chickpeas to the pasta to add some more nutrients. It was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be experimenting with this more in the future. I bet there are a lot more combinations that would taste great and also make the meal a bit healthier.

All in all, I’m very happy with the Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze! If you need to satisfy a mac and cheese craving, this is a great way to go. I will be sure to buy this again in the future, but I’m also hoping my grocery store will get a boxed vegan mac and cheese, since that will be a more affordable option. I also plan to try to make my own mac and cheese at home, but sometimes I just love the boxed variety!

What is your favorite vegan mac and cheese? Let me know in the comments!

Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m excited to review another vegan food product with all of you. I recently spotted some new Kashi bowls at my local grocery store, and decided to pick one up to have on hand. I don’t know about you, but I always keep what I call “emergency meals” stashed in my freezer. There are just some days where I’ll be too tired to cook, or maybe I’m in a rush and don’t have time to cook. That’s when freezer meals really come in handy! The Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl not only sounded delicious, but it looked quite hearty for a microwavable meal. Let me share my thoughts on this product with you!

I found the Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl for $3.29 regular price. While that is a bit pricy for a frozen meal, it’s much more affordable than ordering takeout! This particular meal is inspired by Central American cuisine, and contains polenta mixed with plantains, black beans, sweet potato, and kale in an ancho chili sauce. I really appreciate that Kashi mentions it is vegan right on the front of the box so I don’t have to pay close attention to the ingredients list. It’s also great that this small bowl contains 7g of fiber and 9g of protein! I think that’s pretty good for one of my “emergency meals.”

Here is what the meal looks like after it is cooked in the microwave. I admit it doesn’t look too appetizing, but that’s mainly because of the stirring it goes through while cooking. I’m actually quite impressed with how delicious the Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl tastes! It is a bit spicy, so keep that in mind if you don’t like spicy food. The plantains are definitely the main part of the meal. The taste and texture almost remind me of the fried chicken I used to get at Chinese food restaurants! Overall, I think the mix of flavors is delicious. You get spice from the sauce, but the plantains and sweet potatoes add a nice sweetness to the dish as well. I’m quite happy with how yummy this quick and easy meal option is!

All in all, I definitely think you should give the Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl a try! I’ve repurchased this meal a few times now, and it is great to have on hand. Make sure to keep an eye out for sales and coupons as well – I scored these for 2 for $5.00 a while back! I hope you found this review helpful if you’ve been curious about this Kashi meal. I think it tastes great for a frozen dinner, and I’m going to continue to try more options from Kashi in the future.

Have you tried a Kashi bowl? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Lärabar Peanut Butter Cookie Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m excited to bring you a review of another new-to-me vegan product. I recently traveled on a quick road trip, and wanted to pick up a snack to bring with me just in case I found myself in a situation where vegan food wasn’t readily available. I found the Lärabar Peanut Butter Cookie bars at my local grocery store, and decided to pick up a box since they sounded delicious, but also seemed like they could tide me over between meals if necessary. Luckily, I didn’t need to eat any bars during my trip as it was easy to find vegan options, but I’ve certainly enjoyed them at home.

I picked out the Peanut Butter Cookie variety of Lärabar not only because it sounded delicious, but because each bar contains 7g of protein. I think that is a good amount for one small bar, and knew it would be a nice item to have on hand should I need it during my road trip. I’ve never tried any Lärabar products before, so I was really amazed when I looked at the ingredients list on this product and saw only three things: dates, peanuts, and sea salt. Talk about simple ingredients! I also love that the packaging is very clear for those who are looking for a food product for a specific diet. This bar is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, and kosher.

Here is a look at the bar itself. It doesn’t look amazing, but it really tastes delicious! I love dates and peanut butter, so I’m honestly not surprised that I like the bar. The texture is quite like a cookie, too. The bar is quite filling, but it is definitely a snack and not a meal replacement. I think this is a great bar to keep in your purse or at your desk in case you need a quick pick-me-up throughout the day. While it’s not as amazing as eating an actual cookie, of course, this Lärabar is quite yummy, and I love the simple ingredients.

All in all, I am a big fan of the Peanut Butter Cookie bars from Lärabar. They are a bit on the expensive side, so I do not plan to buy them regularly. However, I do see myself getting these for future trips, or for those times where I want to make sure I have food on me when there might be slim pickings on vegan options. I also look forward to trying other products from Lärabar! Please let me know in the comments if you have any favorites from this brand.

 

Breyers Non-Dairy Oreo Cookies & Cream Review | Vegan Ice Cream!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Now that I’ve been vegan for eight months, I’ve started to get a bit more adventurous with food. I’m trying a lot more vegan products from the grocery store, and I’ve also tried more recipes this past year than I have in my entire life (seriously). I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts on the food I’m currently trying with all of you here on the blog! Whenever I have a food post, it will go live on a Friday. I’m sure I won’t post a Food Friday every week, but I will keep my food related posts to Fridays from now on so you’ll know when to expect them. I recently found the new Breyers vegan ice cream at my local grocery store and scooped it up right away (pun intended). Let me share my thoughts on the Breyers Non-Dairy Oreo Cookies & Cream!

Breyers recently released two vegan ice cream flavors, which are technically called Frozen Almond Milk Dessert – Vanilla Peanut Butter and Oreo Cookies & Cream. While I do love peanut butter, I had to try the cookies and cream flavor first. This ice cream is almond milk based, similar to what is offered by Ben & Jerry’s. I have tried a few of the vegan options from Ben & Jerry’s, but unfortunately that ice cream is very expensive and, while delicious, does not mimic traditional ice cream’s taste perfectly. I just had to see if Breyers could do better, especially since this 1.5 Quart container costs only $3.49 regular price!

Here is a quick photo of the helpful icon on the side of the carton that mentions this is suitable for vegans. I always appreciate when products either have a vegan label or clearly state that the product is vegan. I’ve actually spotted some non-dairy ice cream products at the grocery store that still contain other animal ingredients, so I’m really glad Breyers is appealing to vegans directly!

Without further ado, let’s talk about the ice cream! I am absolutely in love with it! Breyers has so closely mimicked the taste of cow’s milk ice cream that I bet if you gave this to a non-vegan he/she wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. This Oreo Cookies & Cream is very creamy and sweet, and I can really taste the Oreos whilst eating it. I have nothing negative to say about it at all! I’m in love with this delicious treat, and I’m going to need to force myself not to pick it up every time I go grocery shopping. Huge thanks to Breyers for doing such an amazing job with this vegan ice cream!

If you’re able to find the new Breyers vegan ice cream at your local grocery store, I definitely recommend giving it a try. I hope Breyers will continue to release even more flavors in this line of products. It’s always really exciting to me when a non-vegan company begins producing vegan items. It shows that vegans have a big impact on the market! Additionally, I hope you enjoyed my first Food Friday post. I’m excited to share more about what I’m eating here on the blog, but I will, of course, keep the beauty posts coming as well.

Have you tried vegan ice cream? Let me know in the comments!

Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipes I’ve Tried & Loved

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! This will be my first Christmas on a vegan diet, and I wanted to make sure I could still enjoy my favorite holiday sweets with my family. I spent a lot of time scouring the Internet looking for vegan Christmas cookie recipes, and I’ve found three that I absolutely love. All are based on traditional cookies that my family has made since I was a child. It makes me so happy that I can make the cookies I know and love without animal ingredients! I thought I would share the recipes I’ve found with all of you to make your online search a bit easier.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Recipe: My California Roots [LINK]

I absolutely love peanut butter to the point where I eat some nearly every day. I knew I had to make some peanut butter cookies, and found a recipe from the blog My California Roots that seemed pretty easy. I am always on the lookout for recipes that have simple ingredients already in my pantry, and this one fit the bill. While rolling the cookies definitely takes some time, this recipe is very easy. Plus, the cookies are amazing! They are slightly crispy on the outside, but nice and soft on the inside. If you love peanut butter, you need to try this recipe!

Snickerdoodles

Recipe: The Viet Vegan [LINK]

I really wanted to make Snickerdoodles, as they are one of my dad’s favorite cookies. I scoured the web and found a recipe from The Viet Vegan that I really like. I think I overcooked the cookies just a bit, because they got really crispy once they cooled completely. However, they melt in your mouth and taste beyond delicious. I love enjoying these with a nice cup of coffee! Oh yeah – my non-vegan dad approved as well!

Chocolate Crinkles

Recipe: Everyday Vegan Cooking [LINK]

I wanted to round out my holiday baking with some chocolate cookies. My nephew loves chocolate crinkles, so I wanted to have some on hand for when he is visiting. This vegan version is a lot less intensive than traditional recipes, as there is no need to let the dough chill in the refrigerator. I also had a flashback to my childhood as soon as I bit into one of the cookies! They taste so yummy!

I hope you liked hearing about the three Christmas cookie varieties I made this year. I’m glad I was able to find vegan recipes for some of my favorite traditional cookies. It will be so nice to share these with my family this holiday season!

What is your favorite kind of Christmas cookie? Share with me in the comments! 

Go Veggie Cheese Alternatives Pepper Jack Singles Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I’m reviewing a food product here at Adventures in Polishland. I am a member of the website BzzAgent, and sometimes receive free products to try. Imagine my surprise when I got the opportunity to test out cheese alternatives from the brand Go Veggie just as I began eating a vegan diet! I got two coupons for a free product, and went grocery shopping right away. Go Veggie offers lactose free, soy free, and vegan cheese in a variety of styles and flavors. I could only find one vegan option at my local grocery store, the Pepper Jack Singles, and got those to try. Let me share my experience eating this cheese alternative with you!

Go Veggie Cheese Alternative Pepper Jack Slices Review

Go Veggie Cheese Alternative Pepper Jack Slices ReviewI found Go Veggie in the produce section of my local grocery store. Unfortunately for me, the Pepper Jack Singles was the only vegan option available. I’m not a big fan of Pepper Jack cheese, so I knew I wouldn’t love the flavor of this cheese. However, I still wanted to give it a try to see what the texture was like, and get a good idea of what the Go Veggie Cheese Alternatives are like. What I love about Go Veggie products is that they are non-GMO and plant-based. Plus, the Pepper Jack Singles contain more calcium and less fat than traditional cheese. One slice is only 35 calories, but 20% of your daily calcium!

Go Veggie Cheese Alternative Pepper Jack Slices ReviewThe Pepper Jack Singles are packaged just like regular cheese singles, and look like Pepper Jack, too. I tried the cheese on its own, on homemade pizza, and in sandwiches. Unfortunately, I did not care for this cheese very much. The flavor itself tastes just like Pepper Jack, which I appreciate but don’t enjoy too much because of the spicy kick. My biggest issue, however, is with the texture. It’s difficult to describe what Go Veggie feels like, but it is not like traditional cheese at all. It felt a bit grainy and stiff, and not gooey or creamy. It also didn’t melt very well. Part of the problem I had with the taste is because I was overanalyzing the cheese on all my food – I knew I was using a cheese alternative and not the “real thing,” so with each bite I had the mindset of: “Does this taste like cheese?!” If I wasn’t concentrating so hard on tasting the vegan cheese, I might have enjoyed it a bit more.

While I’m not the biggest fan of Go Veggie’s Pepper Jack Singles, I still want to try the other available vegan options if I can find them. Not only are there three other flavors of cheese singles, but there are shreds and dips as well. If you are looking for a cheese alternative, whether you are vegan, lactose intolerant, or soy free, I do recommend trying out Go Veggie to see how you like it. Pepper Jack wasn’t the best cheese for me to try, but I went for it because that’s all I had available. You can visit the Go Veggie website HERE to learn more about the available products!

Have you tried vegan cheese? Share your favorite brand or flavor in the comments!

The product in this post was purchased using a coupon for a free product. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.