Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What I Ate Wednesday, Daiya edition


It seems to me that there are those people who like vegan dairy substitutes and those who don't. My husband doesn't like them, for example, but I do. My favourite product is Daiya's vegan mozzarella shreds. So, I was pretty excited to discover that Daiya has some new products on the market.

First up, I sampled Daiya's cream cheese style spread. I haven't had a morning bagel with cream cheese for years. This product is indeed smooth and creamy as the label says. It spreads beautifully. It's also free of soy. I really don't know how they do it. It tastes pretty good too. You have to keep an open mind if you're going to try it, though. It's not going to taste like the dairy-based cream cheese you're used to.



Up next on my dying-to-try-it list was Daiya's cheddar style slices. Who doesn't love the convenience of "cheese" that's cut to size just for your sandwich?


These gluten-free, soy-free slices melt perfectly, giving you the consistency that you are probably accustomed to in a grilled cheese sandwich. Again, don't expect it to taste just like cheddar. I like the taste - you'll have to try it yourself to decide.


I also picked up some of my favourite mozzarella style shreds. My husband made quesadillas for lunch one day this week. He was nice enough to make mine with the Daiya shreds and refried beans.


He also made pizza subs for lunch one day using vegan meatballs. He topped mine with the Daiya mozzarella shreds. Quite tasty and lots of fun.


Dinner hasn't been especially fancy around here lately. On Sunday, I cooked up Gardein faux chicken nuggets, Alexia waffle fries and Yves veggie dogs. We had leftover cooked penne in the fridge too, so I sauteed minced garlic in olive oil and Bragg's and then stirred in the penne. It looks plain, but I would totally make it again!


And now for Tuesday's menu. I had an appointment in the morning so I quickly tossed back some Barbara's Bakery Peanut Butter Puffins with soy milk. These puffins are tasty as a snack straight from the bag too.


When I returned from my appointment my husband had made blueberry pancakes for the kids. The family didn't leave me any veggie sausage, but the pancakes were good anyway!


I had an Amy's California Veggie Burger for lunch, with a salad of mixed greens and dried cranberries.


Dinner was penne with tomato sauce, garlic bread, roasted potatoes and salad! Simple and yummy.

Where do you stand on dairy substitutes?

Linking up to:




*I was provided with Daiya products for review purposes. The opinions are my own.

12 comments:

  1. I like the dairy substitutes but not specfically as a dairy substitute-- I never liked dairy much and don't feel I need something to replace it, but I like the vegan versions in their own right :)

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    1. I grew up eating dairy, so I guess that's why I look for replacements. Dairy grosses me out now though. :)

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  2. I love Daiya! My little is severely allergic to milk. It makes me so man when I find products that claim to be vegan or dairy free and they list whey or casein on their ingredients list. Daiya and Tofutti are two brands that NEVER do that and thats why I love them!

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  3. There are so few choices for vegan/dairy free "cheese" etc up here in teh mountains of Tennessee {shocking, I know lol}...sigh. Looks delicious!

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    1. I thought that stuff was everywhere now! Must be hard for you to get gluten-free too?

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  4. I love milk alternatives, especially almond milk.. but the cheese replacements I just don't love the taste of, sadly...

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    1. Almond milk is great! I love soy milk too, although I try to limit my consumption of it. :)

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  5. I have been lactose intolerant and vegetarian (now vegan) for, um... 20? Years or so. Aka when the only "solution" was to take a lataid pill. No thanks. I just learned to live without and then Later became vegan. I tried the daiya shreds but only liked it melted. I would buy once in a while but its expensive here in nyc
    Ttrockwood

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    1. Great to hear from another long-time vegetarian. :)

      I can imagine these products MUST be expensive in NYC.

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  6. I've never tried the substitutes. I'm happy to see they do not include soy though. It all looks delicious though!

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    1. It's rare that they don't include soy, that's for sure!

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