Meatless Select Fishless Tuna

I've had this Meatless Select Fishless Tuna from Atlantic Natural Foods on my radar for awhile now, but I was having trouble finding it. I ended up getting a can from Vegan Essentials, but it looks like it is also available from other online and brick & mortar retailers. Tuna was one of the last things I gave up before going Vegetarian and it was one of my favorite meals, totally easy to make and super convenient. So I'm pretty much destined to try faux tuna!

Opening and draining the can definitely brought back memories. It even had a bit of that fishy smell that would cause your cats to go nuts. I drained the liquid out of the can and then mixed the tuna in a bowl with some Vegenaise. Then I lightly toasted some bread, cut some lettuce and put it all together.

So, let's start with the good. Texture-wise, I thought it was similar to real tuna. Perhaps not as dense, but close enough for me. Taste-wise, I thought it was lacking in the tuna tasting department. It needed some brininess, or something to tart it up a bit. Some spices or oil might have helped, but right out of the can it just wasn't the best. I still think it's worth trying, just have your expectations in check.

Tofutti Classic Original Pizza Pizzaz

Tofutti contacted me about trying their new Classic Original Pizza Pizzaz and of course, I'm not one to refuse Vegan pizza. I've actually had Tofutti Pizza before. I enjoyed it, but it's not available at very many stores around Omaha and so I rarely eat it. I always found Tofutti Pizza to be the perfect size for a toaster oven and your tiny college dorm. So it's been a while, how does the "new" Tofutti Pizza hold up?

I'm really confused by the "new" part because it tastes like the same pizza to me. That's not a bad thing, just confusing. Maybe the ingredients changed a bit? If I wasn't so lazy I would go look, but meh. It's basically sweet saucy pizza with cheese... pretty perfect. Some have compared it to cafeteria pizza or cheap 80's pizza. I would have to agree, and again, that's not a bad thing as long as that's what you know you are getting. No-frills Vegan pizza. Also, it's not a pretty pizza. Oddly cut and shaped, I do find it interesting. The packaging reveals some new varieties, which hopefully, I'll be able to try soon.

In closing, if you want some down to earth O.G. Vegan pizza that isn't too big or small, Toffuti Classic Original Pizza Pizzaz is it. If you can find the Classic Original, try it! I think you'll be glad you did.

Califia Farms Almond Milk Holiday Nog

New this year is Califia Farms Almond Milk Holiday Nog. I'm always up for new attempts at dairy-free nog! Most of the other Vegan nogs are soy or coconut based, so I appreciate Califia Farms for creating an almond milk one. So let's have a sip and get in the holiday spirit!

My first thought is that the nog is a bit thinner than others. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your nog preference. I happen to like my nog on the thicker side. When it comes to the flavor though, I was more impressed. Strong notes of nutmeg definitely sell this as a holiday nog. I thought it was more like a nog-flavored almond milk, and that made it delicious in its own right. It's more of an every day drink than a decadent treat, so you can take a few refreshing swigs anytime and it won't ruin your appetite. So while Califia Farms Almond Milk Holiday Nog may not be my first choice for the holiday table when I want something very thick and creamy, it's definitely a drink I'll keep stocked this season, for every day use.

The Laziest Vegans Top Ten Asks Danielle Konya

Danielle Konya is the founder and owner of Pennsylvania-based baked-goods empire, Vegan Treats. Founded in 1998 and located in Bethlehem (cue Billy Joel's Allentown), Vegan Treats is one of the top Vegan bakeries in the world. From cookies, cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, rolls, CANNOLI, pies, cheesecake and recently, ice cream, Vegan Treats does it all. Danielle loves animals, (especially great apes like orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees!) and has dedicated her life to help people switch to a Vegan lifestyle. There's no better way than to make amazing Vegan desserts!
  
One of the first times I went to New York, I had a Vegan Treats Red Velvet Cake from Atlas Cafe and thought it was amazing! Ever since then, I've always been on the lookout for anything from Vegan Treats. Unfortunately, Omaha is out reach for most things (except for the Vegan Cannoli that can be shipped right to your house for Thanksgiving!!!) so I have to live vicariously through the Vegan Treats Facebook page. Now, the question that everyone wants to know is, what kinda of pre-packaged cookie does Danielle like?

What is your favorite store-bought veggie burger?
I REALLY like Gardein Sliders. I bring those to the bakery for a fast lunch on occasion! Now they came out with new “chicken” ones, mmmm…. SO GOOD!

What is you favorite frozen dinner?
Tofutti Pizza Pizazz. I’ve been enjoying these on occasion for over a decade.

What is your favorite ice cream?
So Delicious Turtle Trails! Caramel and chocolate, need I say more.

What is your favorite chip or cracker?
Baked Ruffles, I’m addicted. What’s up with the new, small bags?

What is your favorite cereal?
I will eat one cereal for six months straight before moving on to a new cereal (for another six months). Right now, it’s 365 Frosted Wheat Squares. They’re delicious! In another month or so I’ll have to pick a new one, I guess. haha.

What is your favorite candy?
Thumbs Up (vegan Butterfinger bar) by Go Max Go Foods. I love all of their candy bars. They’re also my favorite airplane and movie snack.

What is your favorite cookie?
Uncle Eddies. It’s a toss up between Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. It’s such a rare occasion that I find them, though. The scarcity makes them taste even better!

What three pre-packaged food items would you take to a desert island?
Obsessive Confection Disorder Caramels! Wow, so good. If you haven’t tried them yet, you absolutely need to. I had those sea salt caramels in my pocket while trekking for orangutans in Indonesia, that’s how much I like them. Baked Ruffles, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was addicted. Australian vegan nougat made by the Australian Nougat Company. I think you can buy it on Vegan Essentials- you need some!

Name a product you would like Veganized?
The child in me really wants Lucky Charms! Those fruity freeze-dried marshmallows are a fond memory of my childhood and I crave them every time I’m looking for my new favorite cereal.

What are your favorite local and/or online stores for Vegan products? Pangea, Obsessive Confection Disorder and Vegan Essentials.

And that concludes The Laziest Vegans Top Ten. Thanks Danielle!

Gardein Crispy Chick'n Sliders

Lemme start this blog off by saying that I've been looking for these Gardein Crispy Chick'n Sliders ever since they came out...with no luck. For some reason, my Whole Foods doesn't carry them. But a couple months ago, Katie from Don't Eat Off The Sidewalk mentioned that her Target carries them. Target, I thought, that's kinda weird! But sure enough they had them. Actually, they had a ton of Gardein stuff, so give your local Target a try. Anyway, I couldn't wait to see if they lived up to my self-created hype.

In short, yes. They are everything you could ask for in a frozen chick'n slider. A toaster oven is your best route for preparation. Yeah, it's a pain in the ass to remove the buns only to put them on during the last two minutes of baking, but it's so worth it. If you're already a fan of some of Gardein's chick'n products, you'll fall in love with these. The breading is killer, and it's what sets it apart from other Vegan chicken products. That, plus of course your trusty, flavorful Gardein chick'n meat. Add some Vegenaise, lettuce and tomato and you're ready to go. You might feel guilty about eating all four sliders in one sitting, but don't. It's very easy to do, and honestly, they're small enough to do such a thing. So raid your local Target and have a chick'n slider party (preferably party of one.)

So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk

So Delicious has introduced two new Culinary Coconut Milks, Original and Light, for use in recipes. Both milks have only three ingredients: Water, Organic Coconut Cream and Organic Guar Gum. So Delicious has been kind enough to send me a couple to sample. Now, it's widely known that I love So Delicious products, but I had no idea how I was going to test and review this particular product. You know, it's for cooking and baking; two things I'm not exactly interested in. But I think I figured out an easy and enjoyable way of using the Culinary Coconut Milk. What you ask? Hot chocolate!

Well, you can't have hot chocolate without marshmallows! And it just so happens that I have a bag of the new Dandies Minis from Chicago Vegan Foods. They're tiny and perfect.

I pulled off the hot chocolate and it was tasty! The Coconut Milk added the right amount of richness and creaminess to the cocoa. I used the Original version, but if you are worried about the fat content you could use the Lite instead. I could see the Culinary Coconut Milk being perfect for use in baking and cooking. If you want to try my version of Laziest Vegans Hot Cocoa, here you go!

Boil 2 cups of water with 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Whisk smooth and then add a half cup of the Culinary Coconut Milk. Boil and keep whisking till mixed. It makes two servings, so you may need to double if there's more than two of you. And don't forget to add mini marshmallows to your mugs. Enjoy!

Sweet & Sara Halloween Marshmallow Giveaway!

It's that time of year for Sweet & Sara Halloween Marshmallows! I love 'em to death cause they're so cute and tasty. Pictured above are Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows, a Halloween Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Bat and a Halloween Marshmallow Ghost.  

If you've never had the pleasure of eating a Sweet & Sara Halloween Marshmallow, here's your chance! All you have to do is comment below and tell me your favorite Halloween movie. Make sure to leave a contact email (spam proof it if you like- ex. laziest vegans AT Gmaildotcom) so I can contact the winner. Giveaway ends Saturday at 7pm CST, good luck and Happy Halloween!