Product Review: Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Earth Balance has come out with a new product that tastes similar to Kraft's non-vegan macaroni and cheese. While it's not gourmet, those who miss the bowl of soft noodles and buttery-cheesy flavor of their youth will enjoy this product. There's also a vegan white cheddar version that I have yet to try -- it's the blue box peaking out from under the orange box in the picture. 

(Find me on Instagram at @stay_at_home_vegan)

If you are going to compare this vegan mac and cheese to Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese, Earth Balance's product produces the same texture and mouth feel. You feel the tender, melt-in-your-mouth noodles that are oozing with a buttery, cheesy sauce from their middles, as well as from all around them. 

Your mind will instantly tell you that this isn't Kraft's mac and cheese because the flavor is slightly different, but then your mind starts telling you: "Yum, this is good, keep shoveling this in your mouth!"

It's been a while since I've had Kraft's Mac and Cheese, but this vegan version tastes pretty darn close to what I can remember, especially if you can let the cooked mac and cheese sit for 3 to 5 minutes (I noticed a stronger "cheese/cheddar" flavor after the product sat for a while as opposed to when I first took a bite and it tasted more like the vegan buttery spread). 

Allow the mac and cheese to sit for a few minutes so the "cheesy/cheddar" flavor can develop. 

When people make their own homemade mac and cheese, it usually never tastes anything like Kraft's Mac and Cheese. This product kind of markets itself to be a vegan version of Kraft's, and I think it does an excellent job. I don't eat much vegan mac and cheese in general but this was tasty, filling, and a nice treat.

If you're a new vegan or someone who misses flavors from your youth, definitely give this product a try. Home cooks who love to cook from scratch and/or use more fresh fruits and veggies in their recipes may only like to try this once. This isn't a gourmet product, but it also doesn't make any claims to be fancy.

You should be able to find this product at Whole Foods starting this month. I bought this product at Rabbit Food Grocery ($3.25 per box; rabbitfoodgrocery.com). It's also available at veganstore.com and foodfightgrocery.com.

I added a little Phoney Baloney Coconut Bacon for punches of salty goodness and a little crunch.

Three Vegan Products: Toothpaste "Dirt," Truffle Mayo, and Cheese Crackers

I recently purchased three vegan products that are just wonderful.

The first product is called The Dirt. I purchased it here at Vegan Cuts.

This is a trace mineral tooth brushing powder. You wet your toothbrush and then dip it into the jar. Shake off the excess "dirt" before brushing. While brushing, it tasted slightly salty, but I really only noticed the wonderful orange-spice scent. Ingredients include bentonite clay, baking soda, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.

My teeth feel so smooth after using this product. The "dirt" washes off the toothbrush for the most part. It stays a little brown toward the base of the bristles. No big deal!

The next product I tried was a truffle vegan mayo by Da Rosario. I purchased the product here on Vegan Cuts. It's also available here at Vegan Essentials.

These spreads (white truffle and black truffle) deliver an amazing burst of truffle flavor with each bite. And the truffle taste isn't overpowering like what you get with truffle oil. The tang from the vegannaise base is great also. There are bits of truffles in each jar. This condiment would elevate any sandwich or dip. I added 2 teaspoons to a small batch of potato salad today, and it was fabulous!

Finally, I tried Earth Balance's Vegan Cheddar Flavor Squares, which many people call the vegan version of Cheez-Its. I purchased this box here from Rabbit Food Grocery. It's also available at Food Fight Grocery, and should be available at Whole Foods now.

These squares taste buttery, and the aftertaste is slightly like a Cheez-It. It definitely doesn't have that sharp tangy flavor (if that's what you are looking for in this cracker). But they are tasty and crispy and make a nice snack.

Review: Magic Vegan Bacon Grease

Here it is in all its glory: vegan bacon grease

I purchased a jar of Magic Vegan Bacon Grease (MVBG) from Vegan Essentials last week ($7.59 + shipping). I have never cooked with actual bacon grease, but I was still curious about trying the product. It's basically coconut oil with added soy bits, spices, hickory smoke and maple extract. 

Anyone familiar with Baconnaise will be reminded of that product when they open this jar and take a whiff of the vegan bacon grease. There's a sweet, smoky flavor that comes through, and it's very pleasant.

I don't use oil in the dishes I cook for myself anymore, but when I need oil for my husband's or son's dishes, I usually turn to olive oil or coconut oil, so using MVBG will not be such a dramatic change. I used a little this morning to warm up some cooked rice. The rice had hints of that smoky, sweet goodness throughout. It's not overpowering, but it definitely has a presence. 

My house smelled faintly of cooked meat. I haven't cooked bacon in a while, so I can't say for sure that's what the smell was, but there was a savory, sweet fragrance in the air.

If you're interested in dressing up some greens, beans, potato salad, or anything else worthy of a bacon-like slap, give this grease a try. It looks and melts just like coconut oil, and it's cruelty-free. Vegans who love southern cooking are in for a treat with this oil. I hear cornbread would be amazing with this oil. I'll have to whip up a batch and sneak a taste!

Oh, if you think you'd like to try making your own bacon grease, I remember Door 86 Vegan Cheese sharing a recipe, found here.

Review: Field Roast Breakfast Sausage

Field Roast's new Breakfast sausage links are small, but they pack in a lot of flavor. I put a head of garlic next to a link to show its size.

I found Field Roast's new Breakfast Sausage for $5.99 at Whole Foods this weekend. I bought two packages and couldn't wait to try a couple links. True to Field Roast form, the sausages were hearty, flavorful, and had a wonderful "meaty" texture.

They do have a breakfast-sausage-like taste. I'm sure they would be magnificent drenched in maple syrup and served with vegan pancakes.

I enjoyed two links in a savory snack. I toasted two corn tortillas. I applied 2 tablespoons of lemon hummus in between the tortillas to make them stick. Then I smeared 1 tablespoon of hummus on the top of the stacked tortillas. I added a leaf of kale, the two links (that I heated for 45 seconds in a microwave, wrapped in a paper towel), and a small spoon of salsa. Delicious!

I like that the links aren't too fattening either. So, it makes a nice lunch or mid-afternoon snack.

Happy Herbivore Meal Plans

Portobello Verde Tacos from Happy Herbivore's weekly meal plans. Around 320 calories, 12 grams of fat, 46 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein for all this. These tacos are extremely satisfying; I could eat them every day!

This week I finally got around to starting Happy Herbivore's Meal Plans. The reason I say "got around to it" is because I purchased a year subscription back in September and have been printing out the meal plans and saving them for when I was ready. I follow Happy Herbivore on Facebook, and I enjoy making the recipes she shares. 

You might be thinking why didn't I buy one of her cookbooks, but I really wanted to follow the meal plans. I just didn't have the will power. You see, her meal plans consist of daily meals and snacks that by the end of the day equal 1,200 calories. Plus, she very, very rarely uses ingredients with oil or added fat in them (she avoids cooking oils, vegan mayo, fake and processed products, etc.). 

How the heck do you cook onions without oil -- was my first thought. How do you enjoy salad without dressing? 

This Mexican Rice Soup had a nice crunch from the veggies and hints of sweetness from the corn. My dish wasn't a soup because I didn't cook the brown rice with the veggies, which required broth or water. I had made rice the other night, so I added the already cooked brown rice to the pan once the veggies were done cooking. Oh, and when you cook onions or any other veggie, just layer the pan with a little broth or water instead of oil. Worked just fine! Half this pan is one serving and contains 388 calories, 20 grams of fat (which comes from the avocado, but I omitted that, so the dish was virtually fat-free), 46 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of protein.

I started a plant-based lifestyle back in January 2013 for animal welfare and my health. I love being vegan and have no desire to ever eat animal products again. Since January 2013, I've lost 15 pounds, but the weight-loss has stopped there. I've read so many wonderful testimonials about how Happy Herbivore's Meal Plans have helped people lose massive amounts of weight. I would cheer for those individuals she'd highlight on a weekly basis, but I never took the final step of following the plan myself. Until Monday...

I definitely love to add salt and a pinch of sugar here and there to my dishes. I also add oil to any pan I put on the stove. Since Monday, I haven't cooked anything with oil, nor have I added any sugar or much salt (very small pinch here and there when I used water instead of broth in a recipe). I have so much energy! I usually feel sluggish in the afternoon and often turn to coffee or tea for a small pick-me-up. I haven't needed anything like that since starting this meal plan.

I thought this Curried Red Lentil Soup was going to be so bland because the recipe doesn't call for salt, but the broth I used added enough sodium. Plus, the curry and cumin spices elevated the dish. But what made the soup so comforting was the chopped celery. I felt like a little kid eating mom's home-cooked soup on a school night. There's just something about cooked celery... My husband, who usually finds anything without a gallon of hot sauce on it bland, raved about this soup. I added a few dashes of sriracha of course, but he didn't find the soup lacking in flavor at all. 2-1/4 cups of this soup has 389 calories, 1 gram of fat, 69 grams of carbs, 31 grams of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and 25 grams of protein. 

I even ate a salad yesterday without dressing....yup, no dressing! I filled a big bowl with chopped lettuce, some celery, and then I splashed the juice of one lime over the salad and added hot sauce (a little too much hot sauce, so I had to kind of eat around the hot lettuce leaves). 

Did you know you can enjoy salad without oil? I sure didn't. This salad is dressed with lime juice and hot sauce. It was delicious. This wasn't on the meal plan, but I was craving a salad. I looked at what was used for a dressing on another meal-plan salad recipe and used that to top the lettuce and celery in the bowl. 

The salad was amazing. Even my husband asked what new dressing I bought. I told him it was lime juice and hot sauce. He just blinked at me and then continued to shovel the salad into his mouth. 

There's definitely been an adjustment. I'm still getting used to eating rolled oats without salt or sugar (I'm allowed to add fresh/frozen fruit), but my views on eating are changing, which I'm so happy about. I don't need oil or fake or processed foods for flavor, and I'm loving the simplicity of these healthy, tasty recipes.

The quantities, too, have been amazing. Because the dishes are low calorie, the portions are sometimes so large I have to eat some of it later. I also like that Happy Herbivore -- aka Lindsay Nixon -- encourages you to customize to your tastes. So, if you want fewer carbs, swap out the grains for greens. If you need more bulk, add more veggies. 

And some other good news -- since Monday I've lost 1 to 2 pounds. I have an old scale that's not digital, but the needle is definitely pointing to a lower number than it was on Monday. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress. I definitely see good things ahead! 

Review: Coloring "Eggs" for Easter with EggNots

Pictured are recently dyed EggNots.

My son has been begging to color eggs for Easter, so I told him to be patient while the "eggs" arrive in the mail.

Instead of buying eggs from the grocery store, I ordered mine from a company called EggNots. The company makes ceramic eggs for people with egg allergies or who have an aversion to coloring chicken eggs.

The ceramic eggs look just like chicken eggs and even come in an egg cartoon. The eggs are lightweight, so you have to hold them down in the dye.

I purchased a run-of-the-mill egg dye from the store, but the EggNots come with a recipe to make your own dye using food coloring, vinegar, and water.

My son and I had a blast coloring the EggNots. What's great is that they won't spoil, and we can save the eggs to hide for next year.

"Like" the company on Facebook because they occasionally offer sales on their product.

This is how the EggNots look when they arrive.

The "eggs" dye well. 

Review: Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Kettle Chips and The Daily Crave Veggie Chips

Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Kettle Chips are delicious and bursting with a tangy, cheesy flavor.

The Daily Crave's Veggie Chips are crispy and have a melt-in-your-mouth quality that a lot of veggie chips have. 

My Vegan Cuts Snack Box for February contained a lot of wonderful goodies -- as shown below:

The Vegan Cuts Snack Box is a subscription service that costs $19.95 a month. 

Today, I'm reviewing two chip products from my February Snack Box: Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Kettle Chips and The Daily Crave Veggie Chips. Both products have wonderful flavors and textures. 

Here's the breakdown on each:

The Daily Crave Veggie Chips taste like the generic veggie chips from Whole Foods, so it might be hard for this brand to distinguish itself on the market. That said, it's nice to know the product has no artificial ingredients, flavors, or colorings. It's also non-GMO and free of hydrogenated fats. I have never heard of this brand prior to my snack box arriving, so I'll keep an eye for it when I go to Whole Foods.

Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Kettle Chips have been highly anticipated by plant-based foodies on social media. These chips definitely live up to the hype. The chips are sturdy and crunchy, as you would expect a kettle chip to be. Each bite brings on a burst of tangy, cheesy goodness, so it's very difficult to have the suggested serving size of 13 chips. I plan to savor this bag as long as possible before my order of more chips from Rabbit Food Grocery arrives (I also ordered Earth Balance's new Sour Cream and Onion flavor Kettle Chips, and I have no doubt it will be amazing). 

So, if you're lucky enough to spot Earth Balance's kettle chips at the store, stock up on these babies because I'm sure they'll sell out quickly.

Review: Eli's Earth Organic Drinking Chocolate and Cocoa Felice Hot Cocoa Mix by Coop's MicroCreamery

These two drinking-chocolate products taste horrible on their own, but when you combine them, you get a rich and satisfying cup of cocoa.

I’m a little disappointed in the chocolate-drinking mixes by Eli’s and Coop’s MicroCreamery. Neither one left me wanting for more, but I’m sure they will be suitable as baking ingredients. Coop’s product even has a recipe for chocolate pudding on the back, and reviewers have said this pudding is tasty. I’ll try it later and report back.

First, I’ll talk about Eli’s Earth Organic Drinking Chocolate. I purchased the milk-style flavor, but there’s also dark chocolate, almond, and hazelnut. One of those other flavors might be tastier than the milk-style, but I don’t intend to purchase them to find out. 

The good:

Eli’s Earth donates 5 percent of sales to non-profits that benefit children.

The bad:

There is hardly any chocolate flavor. There are scratch-and-sniff stickers that give off more chocolate essence than this drink. I followed the directions, which stated warming up 1 cup of milk and adding 2 tablespoons of the drink mix. I was interested in purchasing the almond or dark chocolate mix, but because I was buying this product for my young son, I thought the milk-style would be more inviting to his palette. I think this is definitely a drink for older children and adults because there’s no sweetness to it. And believe me, I don’t like overly sugary things, but this didn’t have any sweetness. I checked the label, and there are 15 grams of sugar in the product. Perhaps if you used a sweetened non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened), you’d enjoy the flavor more.

Next, is Cocoa Felice Hot Cocoa Mix by Coop's MicroCreamery. This only comes in one flavor.

The good: 

It’s twice the size (22 ounces) and $2.50 cheaper than Eli’s, which is 10 ounces and $12.99. 

The bad:

Talk about a complete opposite from the other product – this mix produces such a sweet-tasting drink that even my son didn’t like it. The recipe calls for adding 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons of mix to 1 cup of warmed up milk. I first made it with 3 tablespoons – big mistake! As I stated, it was way too sweet. My son eventually drank about half because I put in some Dandies mini marshmallows in it, and I spooned him the drink with the marshmallows. I had to dump out the rest. I made a second cup later and only used 2 tablespoons, and the drink was definitely more palatable. It was still too sweet, so I poured it into the mug with the Eli’s drink. 

These two drinks, when mixed together, produce a very nice mug of hot cocoa. There’s a deep rich cocoa flavor that’s highlighted with a hint of sweetness. Too bad you have to buy both products to achieve this tasty result. 

Review: Vegan Shelf-Stable Bacons

photo comes from my Instagram feed

Vegan bacon products can add a salty, smoky crunch to hors d'oeuvres, such as this date appetizer. Medjool dates stuffed with Tofutti cream cheese. I mixed 2T of cream cheese with one thinly sliced green onion, 2T of chopped water chestnuts (for texture), and a pinch of salt and pepper. I topped the dates with a few pieces of Phoney Baloney's Coconut Bacon.

WayFare'S Bacony Bits add a great crunch and a slightly smoky flavor to each bite of this pasta salad. To make the pasta salad, cook 1 cup of pasta. In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup each of shredded carrots, sliced black olives, peas, sauteed mushrooms, and chopped tomatoes (you can add more or less of these ingredients to your liking). For the sauce, I mixed 1/2 cup of vegan mayo with 3 tablespoons of yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and 1 salt and pepper to taste. I had 2 tablespoons of Tofutti cream cheese left, so I mixed that in as well for extra creaminess. Feel free to add other spices and hot sauce. 

Today I’m reviewing Phoney Baloney’s Coconut Bacon and WayFare’s Pig Out Whole Grain Bacony Bits.

Here are some features of both products:

• Coconut Bacon: This gluten-free product consists of 1-inch and smaller flakes of salty, smoky goodness. Upon first bite, you taste salt, and then the flake begins to dissolve somewhat in your mouth. You taste/smell the natural hickory smoke concentrate, and you get a slight kick from the spices, which include pepper. You don't taste coconut at all. The company says their product is best consumed within six months of production and is best served as a topping because “the Coconut Bacon does not hold up well in extreme heat or moisture.” The tamari used in the coconut bacon is non-GMO. The product can be purchased on the company’s website, as well as a number of other online and brick-and-mortar retailers. See the list of sellers here.

• Bacony Bits: This soy-free product is labeled as non-GMO. It’s extremely crunchy – almost like Grape Nuts cereal (if you’re familiar with that product). Upon first bite, you definitely know you’re eating bacon bits. It tastes similar to the bacon-bit products you might have tried from large commercial manufacturers. The bits are salty, but not as salty as the coconut bacon, and there’s a great smoky aftertaste that comes from the hickory smoke powder. Reviewers have said that it’s easy to snack on the product straight from the bag, and I can see why – its crunchy texture is addicting and the smoky aftertaste is satisfying. This product can be purchased from online retailers, including: veganessentials.com, vegancuts.com, and rabbitfoodgrocery.com.

I find that both products have room in the vegan-bacon market. Those who need a soy-free product can utilize the bacon bits, while those who can’t consume gluten can enjoy the coconut bacon. Phoney Baloney’s Coconut Bacon adds a nice, slight crunch and salty-smoky flavor in tomato sandwiches and as a topping on hors d'oeuvres. WayFare’s Bacony Bits keep its crunchy texture longer than coconut bacon, so it’s great atop appetizers and as a topping on pasta salad, salad greens, and anything else you where you want to add a salty, smoky, and crunchy element.

If you don’t have any diet restrictions, I urge you to try both products. You won’t be disappointed.

Review: Harmless Harvest Cinnamon and Clove Coconut Water

Harmless Harvest makes a delicious cinnamon and clove version of their coconut water. Harmless Harvest uses BPA-free bottles. The other brands that I've tried -- Vita Coco, Zico, and O.N.E. have a weird aftertaste, and the water doesn't taste as fresh as Harmless Harvest's. 

Harmless Harvest's plain coconut water is exceptional. You will not find a tastier coconut water than what Harmless Harvest produces. Their coconut water is always stored chilled and must be refrigerated as soon as you get home with your purchase.

The coconut water is refreshing and crisp and tastes like you stuck a straw in the middle of a coconut before you began sipping away. The coconut flavor is everywhere but not in an overpowering way. And if you're lucky, you'll grab a bottle that has pink water inside. Each 8 oz bottle contains the water from about one coconut, and some coconuts have higher levels of antioxidants, thus causing the water to take on a rosy hue. So if you get a bottle with pinkish water inside, enjoy it!

Today I wanted to try Harmless Harvest's seasonal offering: cinnamon and clove coconut water. It's just as refreshing as the plain coconut water, but it has a strong clove aftertaste. It's as if you just finished chewing a yummy ginger snap!

I think I'll stick to the plain, but you really can't go wrong with either option.

Review: Match Pimento-Stuffed Burger and Mushroom-Stuffed Burger

Last night for dinner I enjoyed a Match mushroom-stuffed burger that I baked in the oven at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. I served it atop mashed avocado, grilled green onions, and carrot slices. I added cilantro for an extra kick. Cilantro helps remove mercury from your body.

Match Premium Vegan Meat burgers are "meaty" and flavorful. As with any product, my cooked burgers didn't resemble the pictures on the bag.

When I'm craving a burger and fries, I love to reach for more "gourmet" offerings than the thin veggie burgers sold in the frozen aisle at the grocery store. The conventional offerings will fill my belly just fine, but if I'm famished and want a hearty meal, these burgers from Match will have me patting my stomach before dozing off on the couch. 

Previously, I reviewed Match's Mediterranean Stuffed Vegan Chicken, and I was impressed with the texture and bold flavors. After tasting these two burgers, I still rate the stuffed chicken as first, followed by the mushroom burger, and then the pimento burger.

The gooey, "cheesy" center of the pimento-stuffed burger.

Although the pimento-stuffed burger (at top) has a center that looks moister and nice and cheesy, the flavors were dull when compared to the well-seasoned filling of the mushroom-filled burger (pictured above in between two pieces of bread).

Both burgers were very filling and had a great texture -- tender, yet chewy like meat. But the pimento burger fell flatter in the flavor department. It was as if someone forgot to season the burger or was just relying on the creamy center to provide all the taste (which it didn't). Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad burger, but if you have the opportunity to buy the stuffed chicken or the mushroom-stuffed burger, go with either of those offerings.

The mushroom-stuffed burger had a beautiful earthy flavor from the well-seasoned mushrooms. I enjoyed every bite of this burger. It held it's own against sandwich spreads and toppings, such as vegan cheese and raw onions.

Review: Jem Raw Organic Nut Butters

My breakfast this morning: Bob's Red Mill rolled oats sweetened with Jem Raw Organic's Cinnamon Red Maca Almond Butter. The nut spread is perfect on fresh fruit, smeared on toast, or eaten off a spoon. 

My dinner last night: The crusty whole wheat bread, pungent raw onions, and fresh cilantro cut through the sweet -- but balanced -- barbecue sauce on the textured soy protein.

It probably wasn't until a few years ago when I tried something other than peanut butter with my jam. I tried almond butter and instantly fell in love. It's smooth, yet clings to the inside of your mouth. Since then, I've seen almond butter in its purest form, as well as mixed with spices and/or flavorful additions, such as chocolate. 

I don't recall exactly why I ordered Jem Raw Organic's Cinnamon Red Maca Almond Butter last year, but I think it might have had to do with the small-business appearance of the company and their apparent dedication to quality. Their nut butters are raw (meaning they're not prepared at a certain level of heat), organic, extremely smooth and creamy, have a slightly runny consistency, and come in four flavors -- all of which I've tried.

• Cinnamon Red Maca Almond Butter: This is my absolute favorite flavor. The creamy spread envelops your tongue, and you're hit with the cinnamon flavor and a pleasant sweetness that comes from the coconut palm sugar. I don't know what red maca (a strength and stamina enhancer) tastes like, but it must add to the overall amazing quality of this spread. I eat a little off a spoon if I want something small and sweet after a meal, and I've spread this on fruit and bread and mixed it in oatmeal and smoothies. 

• Macqui Camu Super Berry Nut Butter: Made from raw sprouted almonds like the Cinnamon Red Maca Almond Butter, this product is a close second as a tasty spread. It has a fruity taste that is very pleasant and cuts through the sweetness. 

• Coconut Cardamom Almond Butter: This almond butter definitely tastes like coconuts and cardamom and was more sweet than salty/savory. It worked perfect as a spread over my not-so-sweet white vanilla cake and as an ingredient in my smoothies. Those who enjoy eating Indian sweets will love this spread.

• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: This nut butter is comprised of sprouted organic hazelnuts and is a wonderful replacement for Nutella and similar chocolate-hazelnut spreads. The organic cocao nibs are front and center as a flavor profile, so much so, that I found this spread to be more one-note when compared to the other spreads, which pulled your taste buds in different directions with the spicy, sweet, and savory components.

 

Follow Jem Raw Organics on their Facebook page to learn about discounts and free-shipping offers. I usually wait until they offer 10-20 percent discounts before ordering. Each 6 oz. jar costs $12.99. There are 1 oz. jars for $3.99. You might be able to find the nut butters cheaper on Amazon.

Vegan Sushi: Easy Peasy with Sushezi

                                      My vegan barbecue chicken roll topped
                                      with vegan caviar, aka Caviart

There's just something about sushi: the oceany flavor of the nori, the sweet and vinegary taste of the rice, and the savory and tender ingredients sandwiched in the middle. Each bite can be so satisfying, especially when dipped in soy sauce (or coconut aminos) that's studded with wasabi.

Sushi isn't difficult to make at home, but it can be a bit messy. I wanted to try out my new Sushezi, which promises to make "perfectly round, restaurant-quality sushi at home," to see if I could streamline the sushi-making process.

The Sushezi definitely makes things easier. I bought mine for $16 on Amazon, but the product usually hovers around $20-$23. (Tip: Put items you want to buy from Amazon in your cart and check your cart each day -- Amazon lets you know at the top if the price of your item has increased or decreased since you last logged in. That was how I was able to get my Sushezi cheaper; I waited until the price decreased. Price drops don't always happen right away, and you have to know when to buy; otherwise the item could increase in price and not come back down for months.)

I would definitely recommend this product whether you make sushi once a month or once a week. Prep time is still the same, but you really are almost guaranteed a nice, full, compact tube of rice. I can't guarantee cutting the roll into slices will be easier, but what helps is if you use a sharp knife and wet the knife in between cuts.

My Sushezi is open and slightly oiled.

I pan fried some soy protein that I smothered in homemade barbecue sauce (ketchup, mustard, organic sugar or maple syrup).

Ingredients: pickles, avocado, nori, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds

Fill each side with a 1/2 c. of cooked rice.

                                      

Add your ingredients. I drizzled some Siracha on the avocado.

Bring up the sides of the Sushezi and snap close. You then twist the cap on the bottom and twist the handle at the top to compact the insides.

Uncap the bottom, and push the rice roll onto the nori.

All rolled up

See all the yummy ingredients!

Wetting the knife in between cuts helped a lot.

The perfect bite! I added sliced avocado, pickled ginger, and black Caviart seaweed caviar on top.