Favorite Vegan Foods

Although I still have not tried many delicious vegan foods still (like tempeh!), I have found some favorite snacks, seasonings, and meal items that I have come to love. Below, I have listed my favorites. What are some of yours? What do you recommend?

1. Chocolate-Pumpkin Bread Pudding
     If you have not yet tried a recipe by vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli, make this your first. The recipe can be found at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/a-vegan-chef-dishes-up-thanksgiving/. It is so decadent and delicious, even the pickiest person won't be able to tell its dairy free.

2. Sour Worms and Sour Berry Bears
     These are delicious snacks made by Surf Sweets. Seriously, they are some of the best gummies I've ever had, ESPECIALLY the sour berry bears. Try them. They are wonderful. Just be careful; their regular gummi bears contain gelatin and are therefore not vegan.

3. Dark chocolate
     I love it. No matter what brand or type, I will love it. It's the only kind of chocolate I've ever really liked.

4. Quinoa
     I tried this on Christmas for the first time; it cooks quickly and its so tasty! Plus, it gives you lots of energy and is really healthy for you. Use it wherever you would use a rice or pasta to try something different.

5. Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
     Really, all of his nut butters are great, but the Chocolate Hazelnut Butter is by FAR the best. It tastes identical to Nutella but is vegan, so it's even better. TRY IT! The only difference between the two that I could find is in Justin's you can feel the individual sugar crystals when you eat it.  Still, its AMAZING spread on chocolate cake with fresh blackberries. Divine.

6. Hummus
     I could eat all flavors of hummus by the tub full....enough said. Especially the garlic or roasted garlic flavor. That's my favorite. Use raw veggies to dip into the hummus for a great meal or snack!