Kineret: Puff Pastry Dough Squares

I was absolutely shocked when I stumbled across this product in the frozen food aisle.  Who knew that dairy free puff pastry existed?  I didn't, but after baking up Kineret's, I am so glad it does.

 

Kineret describes their product as:

"Ready to bake. Easy-to-use. Light flaky pastry dough. Bake up some pre-sliced Kineret Ready-to-Bake Puffy Pastry Dough in just 25 minutes. Use your imagination to create fruit filled turnovers, side dishes, and hors d'oeuvers. Keep some on hand to make your family's favorites!"

I couldn't agree more!  I made both sweet and savory pastries, chocolate pockets and olive straws, with my first package. 

For the olive straws, simply arrange rows of olives on a puff pastry square, covering them with another square then slicing them into strips.  The straws are great served alongside soup or salad or standing in a glass as an hors d'oeuvers.

For the chocolate pockets, simply spread out a few pieces of dairy free chocolate on half of a pastry square, folding it over onto itself and sealing the edges.  They make a great breakfast treat reminiscent of a chocolate croissant.

Do you have any great dairy free puff pastry filling ideas?  Please share!

Enjoy!

-Amanda

Van's Natural Foods: Bluberry Waffles

If you've been reading for a while now, you know that breakfast is my favorite meal.  So, I'm always on the hunt for great, dairy free breakfast products.

Van's Natural Foods' blueberry waffles waffles are a favorite of mine.  Although they are mainly billed as gluten free, these waffles are also dairy free.

From the Van's website.

Once you prepare these waffles (I pop them in the toaster), you forget that they were even frozen to begin with.  They cook up very nicely and are never soggy. 

 

I usually serve these with a little bit of syrup, or if I'm feeling really crazy, some blueberry syrup.

Enjoy!

-Amanda

Vegan Salted Caramels

Caramel, of any variety, is truly a treat when you are dairy free, as dairy free versions are almost nonexistent.  Since it is so hard to find pre-prepared and store bought options, I decided to try my hand at homemade salted caramels.

 

Instagramed pic -- please excuse all of the pictures in this post...I didn't have my camera!

Boy, am I glad I did because they are ah-mazing.  I made these with my sister and we were truly amazed with how well they set and tasted.  There is no way that you will be disappointed either!

Vegan Salted Caramels

-1 cup of your favorite dairy free butter
-¼ cup granulated sugar
-1¼ cups packed brown sugar
-¾ cup light corn syrup
-1 teaspoon sea salt
-¼ cup soy creamer or coconut milk
-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix the dairy free butter, sugars, corn syrup, salt and creamer/milk in a saucepan.  Cook over low to medium heat until the caramel has reached a warm golden brown color (or the hard ball stage in candy making terms).

Remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and beat until creamy with a wooden spoon.

Pour into an 8x8 (or similar size) glass dish lined with parchment paper.  Sprinkle the top with additional sea or kosher salt.  Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.  Cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours or overnight to allow caramel to firm.

Store in the refrigerator to keep the caramel firm (seriously though--otherwise, they will melt!).  Remove from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you are ready to serve and slice with a knife.


The hardest part about preparing these caramels is not eating all of them in one sitting!  They are really such a treat. 

These caramels would make a great gift for a vegan, dairy free or dairy consuming friend.  I would suggest wrapping them up in little strips of parchment paper.

Enjoy!

-Amanda

Eco-Planet: Cheddar Organic Crackers

An amazing cross between a Cheez-It and a Goldfish, Eco-Planet's Cheddar Organic Crackers are a dairy free snack that will have you thinking it's the real thing.

From Eco-Planet's website

These crackers are, hands down, the best cheese-imitating product I have ever had.  Ever.  And if that's not enough to convince you, they come in fun shapes.  So, basically, you can't go wrong. 

(*Disclaimer:  I will admit that you get some strange looks as an adult eating these crackers, but do you know what?  Those people will not have the best tasting vegan cracker in their mouth.  You will.)

These are great as a snack in your lunch, on the go or on the couch.  See if they are sold near you here.

-Amanda

365 Everday Value: Butternut Squash Ravioli

When was the last time you had dairy free ravioli?  Yeah, didn't think so.

Luckily for us, Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value (their generic brand) make a delicious frozen ravioli, void of any cheese or other dairy products. 

 

Rather than making a ravioli with a cheese filling, this ravioli is filled with a butternut squash puree, which makes for a rich, unique dish.  I LOVE butternut squash, so this was a no-brainer for me.  If you are a little hesitant, I suggest you just give it a go and I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

The one time I made this ravioli (why isn't there a Whole Foods closer to me?!), I followed the package's directions and boiled it.  Once drained, I put my own spin on it by sauteing the raviolis in some dairy free butter and pine nuts, which were the perfect complement to the squash.  I then melted in a little bit of diary free cheese and served a few spoonfuls on a plate.

Mmmm butternut squash

This was a really great weeknight meal as everything came together really quickly.  I also sauteed some spinach on the side, but wound up mixing it all in as it added a great flavor and depth to the ravioli.

It is just so good!  I have been on the lookout for other frozen butternut squash raviolis (I know that a few other brands carry them) in my grocery stores, but to no avail.  I guess I will have to wait until my next trip to Whole Foods!

-Amanda

Back to Blogging

Is it too late to make a New Year's resolution on Jan. 26?  I'm going to say no.

I can actually attain this resolution...

Although I'm a little late to the game, I am going to make blogging a 2013 resolution.  The last few months have been so hectic, that I let something I love go to the wayside.  Between my last college courses, internships, work and friends, I have had little time for blogging.

No more excuses, though!  I truly miss being a part of the dairy free blogging community and sharing information and tips with all of you.  There are some great products and recipes that I have come across in the last few months and I cannot wait to share them!

XOXO...

-Amanda

So Delicious: Large Coconut Milk Yogurt

Did you know that you could purchase So Delicious' Coconut Milk Yogurt in a larger size than the single serving container? Me neither...until two weeks ago.

I spotted this larger container at Whole Foods while I was looking for dairy free yogurt. It is a great buy if you are trying to be cost efficient, need yogurt for a recipe or just love So Delicious' Coconut Milk Yogurt!

So far, I have only seen the large size in the original and vanilla varieties. I like to get vanilla and add granola and fresh fruit (peaches and blueberries are a favorite combo of mine).

Have you seen the large container anywhere else? Have you seen any other varieties? Please share!