Namaste Say Cheeze non-dairy Mac&Cheese (vegan) Review

When trying a new mac&cheese I get excited!
Being vegan you miss different foods that are not vegan.
For me one of them is mac&cheese, the creamy and smooth texture, with the
warm noodle, yummy:)
So I have tried many different mac&cheese(vegan), and was like
this doesn't taste like the "real" one.
Now I stop comparing them to the "real" one, and I start enjoying
the new flavors, and combinations.
Like anyone a warm noddle with some kind of sauce is soooooo
gooooood!

The Namaste Mac&Cheese is quite good, the noodles are gluten free
and they cook up really well.
I like to describe it as a creamy nutritional yeast, with a hint of mustard, and a light flavor of garlic.
It is not over powering!  
To us vegan nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor so its perfect for us.
I enjoyed this one, it is truly a creamy noodle in every bite.

My tip when making it is to add 2 Tablespoons of butter(vegan) on the
hot noodles before adding the powder, and if you need to add some of the
noodle cooking water to make it smoother.
You get 3 cups+ it makes a lot.
Next time you see this product, try it I would totally recommend it.
It is great when you are hungry and want a nice warm filling meal.
                                             
                                                                         Birch Life

Follow Your Heart Cheese Review, Vegan Cheese and Gluten Free!!!

When picking vegan cheese it can be very tricky, there are so many to choose from.
Also if you live in an area with not much choice, it is nice to see what other people think about them,
it may save you some money.
The store that I purchased it at, had a large variety of flavors even shredded cheese:)
When you look at the cheese, it looks very moist and when you give it a light squeeze,
it has a firm spongy texture.
I purchased the cheddar flavor.
I was excited to try it, so when I arrived home I opened it right away:)
I opened the package,and it slid right on the plate, it cuts like butter!
The flavor is on the sweeter side of cheddar, "real" cheddar usually has a sharper flavor.
The cheese is moist texture but still has the dryness like cheddar.
When I gave a sample around my house, there were very different comments!
"It taste like a firm wet sponge",  "it has a very moist feeling on the tongue."
I do agree it has a firm wet sponge feeling, but the flavor is really good:)
If you get over the texture, it is a great cheese, I was even eating it plain, because the flavor is really good.
I cut a piece so you can see the texture when it is sliced!

The one thing I miss is melted cheese, yum.
There is something almost magical about melted cheese:)
The true test for us vegans is does it melt?
When it melts is it a gross mess?
Let me tell you it melts beautifully!!!!
I melted it on a plate, so you can see what it looks like.

 smooth and creamy:)

You can see when I melted the cheese, it became smooth and creamy! Yummy!
I did eat it off the plate after I took the picture;)
My suggestion is when melting it, make sure whatever you are topping it with is slightly warmed,
it lasts longer, melted, and it doesn't get hard to fast.
If you are going to melt it on corn chips or something like that, it may get slightly hard by the time you finish
eating it.
But it is still good!!!!!!!!!!!!
I truly recommend this cheese, it has a great flavor, need to give it a try!!!
It melts, the most important reason of all;)
Follow Your Heart Cheddar here is a link to there website followyourheart.com
If the store you shop at doesn't stock it, tell them about it so they can get it in!!!!
The most important thing for me is that it is vegan, and gluten free!!!!!!
Happy cheese melting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                                                     Birch life

Smooth Mango Peach Frozen Strawberry Smoothie The last one of The Smoothie Series

The final recipe in the smoothie series!
Thank you, to all of you that have really enjoyed the series.
I love to create in recipes, so don't think I won't be working hard on new ones:)
If you have a idea or suggestion, email me or write me on Facebook.
The final recipe is a delicious smoothie, it combines mango, peaches with
frozen strawberry's, you get a smooth and creamy texture, and the frozen
berry's give you a nice cool down when it is hot outside:)
Peaches are a great treat, there is something special when you eat a
juicy, sweet peach, it gives my a big smile:)
They have a nice amount of liquid, so you don't have to add a extra liquid!
I like adding mango to smoothies it just gives it a thickness, without
adding cream!
Even a whole mango and a few Tablespoons of yogurt blended together
is really a great treat!
Start experimenting with mango and you will find a new Love:)
                                                                    Birch Life

Smooth Mango Peach Frozen Strawberry Smoothie
Makes 2 cups +

1 mango
2 peaches
1 cup frozen strawberries
3 Tablespoons of yogurt (I used vanilla, vegan)
1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

Wash fruit, peel mango, take stone out of peaches, and
add everything to blender.
If you need more liquid, add a little vegan milk(whatever kind you like)
but you shouldn't have too:)

Creamy Broccoli Spinach Topping for a Steamy Baked Potato;)

This is a ultimate comfort food! It ticks all the boxes, warm, creamy, hot, and filling!
It is a simple recipe for 1 to 20,I also like to make it when I have been outside all day and you need a hardy meal:)
I love broccoli,and I cook it until there is still a crunch.
Spinach is a great basic ingredient to have on hand, I buy frozen, you can take as much as you need,
and nothing goes bad.
The combo is soooooo good over a steamy baked potato, I like to buy the yellow flesh potato's
they have a creamer texture and more flavor.
As always use what you like!

Creamy Broccoli Spinach Topping for a Steamy Baked Potato
Makes 11/2 cups (it may make more because of the liquid in the spinach)

1/2 lb broccoli
8 oz of frozen spinach
1/2 cup of milk (I used oat milk)
3 Tablespoons of butter (vegan)
1 Tablespoons of potato starch
sea salt

Wash and chop broccoli into bigger chunks, in medium pan add 1 tablespoon of butter, when melted
add broccoli, saute until there is a slight crunch.
Then add spinach to the broccoli, 2 good pinches of sea salt.
Cook until spinach is heated though and water is released from spinach.
Mix milk, starch and a good pinch of sea salt until smooth.
Then add it to broccoli and spinach mixture, and stir until thick.
When thick add the last 2 Tablespoons of butter.
Before you spoon the creamy topping, over steamy baked potato add a pinch of sea salt to the baked potato!!!
Always taste for salt, add more if you like. If you want when serving add a dot of butter on top!
For even richer, add butter to steamy potato, before broccoli mixture.
                                                                      Birch Life

                                                               

Daiya Vegan Key Lime Cheezecake Review:)

I love Daiya products so much:) There products really have great flavor and are a wonderful alternative for us vegans, or people who cannot have dairy.
 When I saw it in the freezer section, um interesting!
I am not a cheesecake fan, it is heavy and sooooooo rich, I never really would eat it
before I became vegan.
I read the ingredients, and I was like this sound so good.  
The bonus, it was also gluten free!!!!

They make 4 flavors Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Key Lime:)
I picked Key Lime, because when you eat vegan and gluten free, Key Lime is very
rarely an option:(
The main ingredient is coconut, so you know it is going to be very creamy!
When arriving home I read the directions, they say to thaw in refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours.
I left it in over night, it worked perfectly:)
Important to eat it 48 hours after thawing, no problem, it will be gone;)
When I opened the box I could smell the Key Lime already!

How does it taste? I know you are thinking!
AMAZING, totally creamy, the right amount of key lime!
The crust is light and tastes just like a regular graham cracker crust!
It tastes like the best cream, rich, thick, smooth, flavorful piece of "regular" cheesecake you have every had.
You can't tell it is vegan, and gluten free!!!!!
I served smaller pieces the first time, and then we wanted seconds, but then the richness
of the second piece came out, and we had to save the rest for the next day.
I would definitely purchase this again!
Cheesecake is a difficult cake to make, so why do you have too, just buy this one,
and in 3 hours you could be eating this creamy, rich, smooth delectable cheezecake:)

 You can see when I cut the piece, it was very smooth and creamy!

   Enjoy, remember if your store doesn't sell it, tell them you WANT IT!!!
                                                                           Birch Life

Velvety Avocado Sauce over Noddles!!

I love mac and cheese, but being vegan it can be hard
to find a good vegan mac and cheese. I think I miss the smoothness of cheese on noodles.
It is not really about the cheese, it is about the texture and feel you get in your mouth.
So I came up with this recipe, to have the same smoothness, but I think I like this
better then mac and cheese:)
This recipe is so good, it is so quick to make,
when you have no time.


Avocado Sauce over Noodles
serves 4

250 grams dried pasta (gluten free)
1 avocado
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk (I used almond milk)
1 Tablespoons vegan butter
squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon)
sea salt

Make noodles as directed by package. When noodles are done, before draining
save 1/2 cup of noodle water.
Add butter to the drained noodles and a good pinch of sea salt, and let cool.
Open avocado and scoop out flesh, mash with milk and a good pinch of sea salt, until smooth.
Add squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
In large bowl put noodles in and add avocado sauce, slowly add
noodle water only until creamy and every noodle is coated.
You may not need all the noodle water, just eyeball.
Taste for salt!
I don't have a picture, but it is very delicious and has a nice presentation.
                                                                        Birch Life    

Creamy Cauliflower Soup with a hint of Dill (surprise addition) Served cold or hot

When I make soup, sometimes I like to puree it, but not everyone likes it pureed.
I saw someone grating their cauliflower, so I thought if I grate it I'm giving everyone
what they want;) I added dill to it because I like the distinctive flavor and it adds some color!
Very simple recipe to make, and it is great for a large crowd.
So if you see cauliflower at the farmers market buy it, you have a recipe for it.
A finishing touch is adding roasted salted cashews to the middle of the bowl before serving!
It really works with the crunch and sweetness from the cauliflower!


Creamy Cauliflower Soup and a hint of Dill
makes 3 cups

1 1/2  cups grated cauliflower
3/4 cup milk (I used oat milk)
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup of roasted salted cashew's
1 Tablespoon vegan butter
3 teaspoons potato starch (any starch you like)
a sprig of dill (finely chopped about 2 teaspoons)
sea salt to taste


With a box grater use the medium holes and simply wash the cauliflower and grate it.
In a medium soup pot on medium heat melt butter, add cauliflower and a good pinch of sea salt.
Cook 3-4 minutes don't let the cauliflower brown! Keep stirring until soft.
Mix 3/4 cup of water to the potato starch until smooth.
Then add the water starch mixture and milk to cauliflower and reduce temperate to low.
Mix until thickened, add 2 good pinches of sea salt.
Remove from heat, add finely chopped dill.
Add more sea salt to taste.
Before serving, divide the cashews and place in the middle of the individual bowls.
Tip: You can also serve cold it is delicious.

                                                                     Birch Life

Vegan Strawberry Ice cream in 10 minutes or less

I love ice cream, but becoming vegan, it can be very difficult to make good ice cream.
I happen to be making something else when I came up with this recipe.
It was so delicious:) The ice cream is so simple and it is a big wow from guests.
You will need a blender or a good mixer to make this, because the strawberries
are frozen. You can serve immediately or you can put back in the freezer,
but you will need at least 30 minutes for it to be able to scoop.
Everyone is different, how big the container, how much you made,
so watch it when you take it out of the freezer. Make a large potion
because everyone will want seconds even thirds:)
The ice cream is a very satisfying in texture and taste!
It comes out very thick and creamy!!!


Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
2 cups plus (depends on the strawberries)

1lb frozen strawberries
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk (I used almond)
1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon yogurt (vegan)
2 Tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice


Take out frozen berries, and rinse them in warm water,
for one second.
Then place all the ingredients in the mixer and mix until well blended,
you may have to open it to move mixture around.
It will come out smooth and very lovely!   Enjoy.
                                               Birch Life

Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Over Refreshing Crisp Romaine Lettuce

This recipe is so yummmmmmy, when I make it the comments I get are:
" I could eat the whole bowl, the asparagus is so flavorful"
" The crisp lettuce gives it a whole new level of flavor"
This is a must try, and very simple to make.
So try it and let me know how you like it:)


Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Over Refreshing Crisp Romaine Lettuce
serves 2 large portions or 4 small portions

8 stalks of asparagus
1/4 lb (250 gram)  of uncooked pasta ( I used a casarecce)
1/2 cup reserves cooking water from pasta
2 good Tablespoons of mayonnaise ( I used vegan)
2 Tablespoons of butter (vegan)
1 head of Romaine lettuce
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

Cook pasta as directed on the package, but remember to reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water
before you strain. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter to strained pasta.
Wash and cut asparagus into 11/2 inch pieces
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium heat skillet, add asparagus and pinch of sea salt
cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.
Mix reserved cooking water and mayonnaise with 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt until well combined.
Then add pasta and asparagus and mix until coated.
Taste for seasoning add more if desired!!!!
Wash and shred with hands the romaine lettuce, put on individual plates season with a pinch
of sea salt before adding the asparagus mixture on top:)
               
                                                                    Birch Life

 

Chunky creamy asparagus mushroom soup vegan

This soup is one of my favorites:) I have always like cream of mushroom soup, but eating vegan

getting a true creamy flavor is hard,but not now! This soup ticks all the boxes. The soup has texture,

 thick flavor, slight crunch,and is creamy almost velvety. Asparagus gives it that slight crunch, you cook it only

until there is a slight crunch. Enjoy the recipe which is simple put so tasty  :)

Chunky creamy asparagus mushroom soup

serves 2 or 1 hungry person:)

16 stalks asparagus

6 brown button mushrooms

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup milk (I used oatly)

2 Tablespoons potato starch

2 Tablespoons butter + 2 teaspoons butter

1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

 1/4 teaspoons sea salt

Wash and cut asparagus into 11/2 inch pieces, wash and cut mushrooms length wise into chunky pieces set

mushrooms aside.

 Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a deep sided skillet

when melted add asparagus, fresh lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoons sea salt saute 5 minutes or until a slight crunch.

When done remove from pan leaving any juices in the pan. 

Then add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon of butter 

Saute for 2 minutes if it becomes dry add a few drops of water.

Mix water and milk with potato starch until well combined.

Slowly add wet mixture to mushrooms and stir until thickened, then add the 

asparagus back in and stir until well combined.

If soup is to thick slowly add water or milk until desire thickness (I like it thick)

Then add last 1 teaspoon of butter.

Sea salt to taste!

   

                                                             Birch Life