Recipe: Vegan Sooji Halwa with Pineapples and Pistachios

This Indian dish is nutty, slightly sweet, and has a lovely aroma from the cardamom.

Sooji is another term for cream of wheat. When my mother and mother-in-law visit, they always make a breakfast entree or dessert using Sooji, which can be found at Indian grocery stores. I'm sure you can use the Cream of Wheat you find at the store as long as the only ingredient listed on the box is wheat. 

I made a dessert out of the Sooji last night using pineapples and chopped pistachios. I found the recipe here. 

To make the dish more savory, you can sautee some finely chopped onions and add it to the sooji halwa along with some chopped tomatoes and a little cilantro. You can substitute cashew halves and raisins for the pistachios and pineapple. 

Review: Gardein Breakfast Sausage Patties and Upton’s Bacon Seitan

A cruelty-free breakfast definitely doesn’t include sausage and bacon…unless those items are made from veggies and grains.

If you’re a plant-based eater and want a hearty protein with your fluffy pancakes and tofu eggs, than I would definitely try Upton’s Bacon Seitan. If you pan fry it, it retains its chewy texture, but I found that when I cooked it in the toaster oven (on a tray, no oil), it crisped up a bit. 

Whenever I have Upton’s Bacon in my fridge, I eat 2-3 slices every morning. Yup, every morning. I usually just stick it between two pieces of toast with a savory spread. Otherwise, I enjoy it with tofu eggs or pancakes. It’s chewy, savory, and has a lovely spice. It doesn’t taste like bacon, but when crisped slightly in the toaster oven, it does taste like crisp, dark brown bacon.

Upton’s bacon is sliced thinly, and I find the contents more than generous. I think one box lasts me easily a week.

Gardein's sausage patties that I pan fried with fennel seeds to bring out a savory flavor.

When it comes to breakfast sausages, I haven’t found one that I really like. Gardein’s Patties look like an imitation pork patty – like what you’d get at McDonald’s. But, it tastes like mushy carrots. Now, I like carrots, so that’s not a bad thing, but if you want a savory, sausage taste, pan fry the patties with some fennel seeds. I found that gives it that sausage taste you might remember.

The patty is tender and hearty, but I just wish it had more of a savory and spiced taste to it.

So, buy the bacon seitan, but skip the Gardein patty – unless you like mushy carrots with your eggs and pancakes. 

Upton's bacon seitan sandwiched between two pancakes.