Vegan, Gluten-free and Vegan + Gluten-free Foodie Finds | Part 7

Ad | contains affiliate links I am back with yet another Foodie Finds feature. This month's post features vegan, gluten-free and vegan +...

Ad | contains affiliate links

I am back with yet another Foodie Finds feature. This month's post features vegan, gluten-free and vegan + gluten-free products from some new and some well-known brands. Take a look at this month's discoveries.

Vada Pow

First up, let me introduce you to Vada Pow. Founded by Naveen Bachani, 'Vada Pow' gets its name from the popular Mumbai street food - Vada Pav. Vada Pav is traditionally made up of a deep fried potato dumpling placed inside a bread bun and served with delicious chutneys.

If you are looking for Indian-style, vegan snacks then do check out Vada Pow. Their vegan  potato-based products can be eaten on their own as a snack or as part of a more substantial meal. I have included 2 fantastic products from them in this roundup.

-  Spiced Potato Cakes and
- Croquette Tikka Masala

The former are delicious potato cakes that have been fortified with fresh herbs and spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom, clove, carrom etc. and pack a punch of flavours. The latter are potato croquettes loaded with herbs and tikka masala spices likes paprika, cumin, cinnamon, aniseed, black pepper, cumin and more.

Both the products are vegan and gluten-free, have good flavours and are perfectly seasoned. We loved them. The Croquette Tikka Masala even recently won a silver medal in the UK Free From Food Awards in the Prepared Meal category.

Vada Pow is based in Ireland but their products are available from Farm Foods' stores across the UK.

For more information on the brand, visit www.vadapow.com

Remedy Kombucha

We first heard about kombucha around a decade back and since then have enjoyed drinking the fermented beverage. Kombucha is basically fermented tea that contains healthy, living cultures & organic acids and is said to offer many health benefits.

Featured in this month's roundup is Remedy Kombucha. Remedy follow the traditional method of making kombucha which involves a natural fermentation of sweet tea, wild healthy bacteria and yeasts. And the result is a delicious, healthy fermented drink.

Remedy's Kombucha is made in small batches in the traditional way. They add the mother culture to brewed tea and wait for 30 days for the fermentation process to do its job. Once the kombucha is ready, flavours (all natural ingredients) are added and the drink is ready to be enjoyed.

The flavours in Remedy's Kombucha range include - Mango Passion, Wild Berry, Cherry Plum, Ginger Lemon, Raspberry Lemonade and Peach. We tried the first two variants and loved them. The flavours were perfect and the drinks refreshing.

Mango Passion as the name indicates is fruity with delicious mango and a hint of passionfruit flavours. Smooth and sweet, it is a tasty way to boost your gut bacteria count. 

Wild Berry is a packed with berry flavours - strawberry, blackberry and blueberry. It is sweet, jammy, aromatic and a refreshing, delicious beverage.

Both the flavours are completely free from sugar and bursting with live cultures, antioxidants and organic acids that can support gut health. In addition, the drinks are raw, vegan and unpasteurised. 

If you haven't tried Kombucha earlier, give Remedy Kombucha a try. You can purchase them online from www.remedydrinks.com They are also available as a part of Tesco's Meal Deal.

Whole Earth Drizzler Peanut Butter

Founded by brothers Craig and Gregory Sams, Whole Earth offer a range of organic drinks and store-cupboard essentials. They are the UK’s number one peanut butter brand! Whole Earth recently debuted Drizzler - the first squeezable peanut butter to launch in supermarkets across Britain.

Drizzler is a new way to enjoy peanut butter. Packaged in a squeezy bottle and with a smooth texture it is very easy to drizzle it over food. Whether you enjoy your peanut butter with salads, ice cream or any of your favourite snacks, simply shake, squeeze and drizzle it on and enjoy!

There are currently two variants of the Drizzler available:

- Super Smooth
- Golden Roasted

Both are made with 100% roasted peanuts with the latter having no peanut skins. Both do not have any added sugar, are a natural source of protein, high in fibre and are suitable for vegetarians & vegans.

With a natural sweetness, rich flavour and a lovely texture we have enjoyed these Drizzlers on ice-creams, sliced fruits, on toast and even in the occasional stir fry. It is very versatile.

Interested in trying it out?  Whole Earth Drizzler is available in Tesco, Waitrose, Co-Op and Asda stores nationwide. You can also shop online from www.wholeearthfoods.com

Kallø Veggie Cake Minis

Kallø, top rice and corn cake brand, recently made an entry into the 'on-the-go' snacking market with its vegan-friendly Veggie Cake Minis. Made from all natural ingredients, the Veggie Cake Minis are currently available in two flavours - Beetroot & Balsamic and Spinach & Pesto.

Featured in this roundup is the Beetroot & Balsamic flavour which we loved for its unique crunchy texture and distinctive taste. Made from lentils and peas, these plant-based snacks are not only low calorie but also gluten-free and provide a good source of fibre and plant proteins.

If you are looking for a vegan & gluten-free snacking option that is also tastes great and offers nutritional benefits, then do give these Veggie Cake Minis a try.

You can pick up the Veggie Cake Minis from Tesco Express stores nationwide, RRP £0.90 for 22g bags.

The products listed next are from Amazon's 'by Amazon' range which is an exciting new range of fresh, high-quality food products at great prices. 

by Amazon Houmous

Love hummus? I do. It is such a versatile dip and can be used in so many different ways. You can spread it on bread, dip chips in it, pair it with vegetables, use it as a salad dressing or simply scoop it out of the bowl and enjoy on its own.

Amazon's Mediterranean-inspired hummus is made with chickpeas and tahini blended with garlic and a hint of lemon. Rich and creamy, it has a lovely flavour. I loved it with toast and as a dip for crackers.

Suitable for vegans, by Amazon Houmous can be purchased from www.amazon.co.uk

by Amazon Mild Salsa

Another versatile vegan dip from Amazon is their Mild Salsa. Chopped tomatoes and onions mixed with herbs and lemon juice, make this a cool & sweet dip that is perfect for tacos and breads, as toppings for enchiladas or scrambled eggs and in burrito bowls.

Order the by Amazon Mild Salsa here.

by Amazon Free From Lasagne Sheets

Looking for vegan and gluten-free cupboard staples? Why not try out by Amazon Free From Lasagne Sheets - it is gluten free, egg free & wheat free. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, these lasagne sheets are made from cornflour and rice flour and can replace traditional lasagne sheets in your favourite lasagne recipe. Order it here.

by Amazon Free From Spaghetti

Similar to the lasagne sheets, this one is gluten free, egg free & wheat free. It is made from cornflour and rice flour and is suitable for vegans. You can use it in your preferred spaghetti recipes whether it is Bolognese, carbonara, puttanesca or any other Italian dish. 

Order the by Amazon Free From Spaghetti here.

by Amazon 6 Plant Based Gluten Free Sausages

Looking for gluten-free, vegan sausages? You must give these plant-based sausages from Amazon a try. Made with soya protein and lightly seasoned with pepper, sage and nutmeg, these sausages are succulent and a great alternative to the meat version. We loved these!

Order the by Amazon Plant Based Gluten Free Sausages here.

by Amazon Jackfruit Biryani

This ready meal from Amazon was a great find. The Jackfruit Biryani is part of Amazon's plant based range and is packed with veggies. There's jackfruit, red and yellow peppers and onions - all combined with a spicy tomato sauce and fragrant basmati rice. The biryani comes garnished with fresh coriander and is packed with textures and flavours. I absolutely loved this. Great as a quick lunch or even an evening meal.

The biryani is mildly spicy and is suitable for vegetarians & vegans.

You can order the Jackfruit Biryani from Amazon here.

by Amazon Thai Red Butternut Squash Curry with Jasmine Rice

Want to enjoy a plant-based Thai meal? Then the Red Butternut Squash Curry with Jasmine Rice from Amazon is a good pick. Fragrant & aromatic, the ready meal is made of Jasmine Rice served with a medium spicy curry of butternut squash, green beans, red pepper, onions and pak choi in a creamy gravy.

Packed full of flavour and with the right amount of seasoning, this ready meal is perfectly portioned for 1 person. I loved this as well. Fresh and good quality product that gets a thumbs up from me.

Order the Thai Red Butternut Squash Curry with Jasmine Rice on Amazon.

Nairns, Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Snackers and Stem Ginger Biscuit Break

Nairns' oat-based snacks are made with real gluten-free wholegrain oats, providing the perfect option to cater to your gluten free needs.

Featured in this roundup is Nairns' Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Snacker which is not only gluten free but vegan as well. Baked, not fried, these flavoursome snacks are packed in mini bags for convenience to be consumed on-the-go or for snacking in between meals.

Nairns' Stem Ginger Biscuit Breaks, according to the makers, contains 40% less sugar than the average biscuit. Packed with flavour due to the mix of stem ginger and ground ginger, they are perfect for satisfying your sweet craving after dinner, or as a healthy, tasty snack when you’re on the go. 

The Stem Ginger Biscuit Breaks are both gluten free and vegan. 

Both these products are available to purchase from Sainsburys.

Let me know which foodie find catches your fancy? Which one are you tempted to try?