It’s time to welcome back our Guest Blogger, Maddy Bellcroft. This week Maddy has been busy checking out some of the new vegan products on the shelves at Fresh Choice Nelson. 

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My mind always boggles at the constant arrival of new vegan products. Now is a great time to be a vege, vegan, or simply to enjoy new foods. This month my basket was kindly filled with a couple more products to sample and report back on. All of these are available now at Fresh Choice Nelson.

 

New Vegan Products & More Deliciousness @ Fresh Choice Nelson:

Ceres Organic Chickpea Crisps Saracha Thai Chilli

I opened these up thinking I would just have one or two and soon discovered that I’d eaten the whole packet! These are more of a cracker than a chip, and are delicious, especially when dunked in freshly made guacamole.

Chantal Organic Hemp Hearts and Hemp Protein

Have you heard about hemp lately? It’s an excellent protein source and full of goodness. Hemp seeds are delicious on their own or sprinkle them on salads, smoothies and toast. I mixed the protein powder into smoothies, muffins and bread.

Ceres Organic Hemp Crunchy Peanut Butter and Cacao Peanut Butter

The hemp and cacao peanut butter was amazing. We spread this new vegan product on sliced apple and toast. We dolloped on to banana ice cream and spooned it into our mouths. And then, sadly it was gone. We are still working on the crunchy one, which is also tasty, but not quite as addictive as the chocolate flavoured butter.

Bean Supreme Mexican and Laska Pies

Nice easy heat and eat dinner option with good ingredients. This new vegan product is plant-based and palm oil-free. My favourite was the Laska version. Filled with tasty potato, pumpkin, coconut and zingy tamarind flavours.

Living Drinks Probiotic Kefir Soda – Raspberry Hibiscus and Mandarin Yuzu

A delicious new sparkling Kefir drink. These reminded me of soda flavours from my childhood. Very nice on a hot day, poured over ice.

Raglan Coconut Yoghurt – Blueberry Flavour

The team at Raglan Coconut Yoghurt have done it again, this time with the sweet and subtle flavour of blueberry. I added this into my morning smoothie along with the hemp protein; it kept me going for hours!

Head down to Fresh Choice Nelson to discover all the new vegan products hitting the shelves.

It’s time to welcome back our Guest Blogger, Maddy Bellcroft. In this article, Maddy writes about the Tofurky products, that you can buy at Fresh Choice Nelson. Take it away Maddy…

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There is so much choice in the veggie and vegan chilled section at Fresh Choice Nelson; it’s impossible to write about everything in one article. So, this week the spotlight is firmly on Tofurky. These guys make plant-based alternatives to meat, ranging from sausages to tempeh. The base of most of their products is a mixture of tofu and seitan or wheat gluten, which is the main protein found in wheat. When cooked or added to recipes wheat gluten becomes surprisingly like meat. It has a chewy, dense texture and takes the flavour of whatever you cook it with.

Some of the Tofurky products instore at Fresh Choice Nelson include:

• Original Beer Brat Sausage – These are made with microbrewed ale from the Hood River in Oregon. Try this wrapped in your favourite bread or bun, topped with mustard, tomato relish and some Living Goodness sauerkraut. Or grill then add to a rich tomato and onion sauce and serve on top of mashed kumara.
• Smoked Maple Bacon Marinated Tempeh Strips – Tempeh has been around since the 12th century and is made by fermenting soy beans. It’s a great source of protein and fibre and is also low in saturated fat. Pan fry or oven bake your tempeh and add to stir fries, burgers or salads.
• Slow Roasted Chick’n– This is a flavourful plant-based product that is great in burritos and tacos, or added to your favourite baked potato fillings. You can also use it as an addition to veggie kebabs.

Tofurky also has a range of deli slices that go well in sandwiches or wraps. If you haven’t stopped by the veggie products aisle and you’re wondering where it is, you’ll find it down the back of the meat section on the left-hand side; the range is ever changing and expanding!

It’s time to welcome back our Guest Blogger, Maddy Bellcroft. In this article, Maddy writes about Bean Supreme products, that you can buy at Fresh Choice Nelson. Take it away Maddy…

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Have you been in to check out the ever-expanding range of veggie, vegan and dairy-free products at Fresh Choice Nelson? Tucked down the back of the chilled section, next to the bakery, is an awesome array of treats to try, (and they taste good, no matter what your dietary preference are).

This week the focus is on New Zealand brand, Bean Supreme, these guys first started making tofu back in 1984. Today, their range has expanded to include veggie burgers, sausages, meatballs and mince, (all made from plants).

This week, I’m going to share my top five products from their range, and share some tips on ways to enjoy them.

1. Sundried Tomato and Kalamata Olive Sausages
   Great for a barbecue. Or for a winter dish, add them to your favourite stew recipe. Slice thinly, fry and add them to risotto. My all-time favourite is to bake them, then serve with cauliflower miso mash, steamed greens and sauerkraut.
2. Organic Tofu
   Scramble for breakfast. Cut into chunks and marinade in BBQ sauce, before baking in the oven until golden. Crumble into small pieces and season with garlic powder, tamari and chilli, then bake until crispy to sprinkle over soups.
3. Black Eyed Bean Kumara Burger
   Bake, then place on garlic sauteed spinach and top with a poached egg. Add to a roast veggie stack.
4. Veggie Mince in Bolognese Sauce
   Use this in veggie lasagne or bolognese. Make mini mince pies in muffin trays with puff pastry. Cook with veggies and extra tomato and top with mashed kumara for shepherd’s pie.
5. Veggie Meatballs in Garlic and Tomato Pomodoro
   Cook with pasta sauce and fettuccine. Place on skewers with roasted veggies for kebabs. Slice into pieces and add to pizza with your other favourite toppings.

There are plenty of other fantastic Bean Supreme products in store at Fresh Choice Nelson. So now is your chance to start experimenting!