An Assortment of Amazing, Astonishing, and/or Awful American Snacks, Part Four

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Hannah

I believe that this fourth collection of American snacks brings me to the end of my 2012 United States-based travel tales. However, lest you think my indefatigable quest to try all things weird and wonderful (of the edible and packaged variety, that is) has come to an end, fear not! I didn’t use the word “indefatigable” for nothing, and Canada contains just as many novelty snacks as its neighbour to the south.

Plus, if all goes to plan, I’ll be back in the US by mid-2013. Dear Earth Café Raw Cheesecakes: I’m comin’ for you.

Look, ma! Raspberries! And kale! Told you I wouldn’t get scurvy!

Some of the above items have already been reviewed, so I’ll instead draw your attention to that which turned out to be one of the most horrific things I’ve ever put in my mouth. (Including the time my brother and I tried the canned cat food we were feeding to the neighbour’s cat. Also the time we tried the dry dog kibble we were feeding to our puppy [it was not like Puppy Chow].)

See in the top left there, the Simply 7 White Cheddar Pomegranate Chips? I bought them because they sounded insane. They tasted not so much insane as truly, truly awful. Musty, tangy, vaguely-but-not-really-cheese-y, like cordial mixed with rancid milk. Insert Taylor Swift lyric here about never, ever getting back together. Like, ever.

Could Healthy Natural Power-Fu’s Eggless Vegetarian Hawaiian-Taste Salad (Spicy) save the day? Or at least distract me from the evils of pomegranate cheese chips? Not really. I found this to be bland and squidgy. Pass.

Luckily, Sweet Scoops Limited Edition Pumpkin Frozen Yoghurt came in like a knight in shining armour, lighting up my life with the taste of creamy light tangy pumpkin pie-spiced fluffy frozen deliciousness.

Simply 7 somewhat redeemed itself with its Spicy Chilli Pepper Hummus Chips. However, I now know for sure that I’d rather eat plain chickpeas out of a can than “hummus chips” any day.

Annie’s Cinnamon Bunny Grahams were fine in a boringly sweet way, but they didn’t make me soar (until I used them to scoop up Peanut Butter and Co’s White Chocolate Peanut Butter. Then they they became more appealing).

Didi’s raw vegan Nori Nosh was utterly fabulous. Made of nothing more than sesame seeds, dates, nori, nama shoyu, and vanilla, these were like a delicious mix between sesame snaps, halva, and, um, seaweed. I want more of these forever.

After visiting Hannah in Connecticut, I was sent back to New York under strict orders to try Macro Vegetarian’s vegan Peking Duck with Shiitake Mushroom as soon as possible. Flavoured with cinnamon, anise, tamari, sesame oil, and licorice, these yuba- and mushroom-based slices of “duck” were a delicious and fascinating novelty.

And, of course, we end with something sweet. Despite not being a coconut devotee, I found So Delicious’ coconut milk-based mint ice cream flecked with shards of rich dark chocolate to be scrumptious. The cooling minty-freshness was lovely against the plentiful dark chocolate shards and underlying hint of coconut.

See that tiny serving in the bowl there? After that was done, I went back for the pint, grabbed a spoon, snuggled into the couch with an episode of Treme, and that. was. that.

I miss you, America. ‘Til we meet again.

Vegan Divas Vegan Spelt Chocolate Brownie

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Hannah

Hey, remember that time I dedicated an entire post to extolling the rich gloriousness of the Sticky Fingers Vegan Chocolate Brownie in all its fudgy dense insanity?

Well, a few weeks after that vegan brownie experience in Washington, D.C., I found myself buying a different vegan brownie from Vegan Divas in New York City.

The Vegan Divas chocolate brownie would surely be the yin to the Sticky Fingers chocolate brownie yang. Or the yang to its yin. I don’t know. Do yin and yang actually have distinct/inherent properties? Hmm. Vague research has led me to understand that yin and yang are complementary rather than opposing forces, which means that this whole paragraph is moot. After all, I’m fairly certain that Vegan Divas and Sticky Fingers can live without each other. Though perhaps we benefit from having both in existence? Perhaps Vegan Divas’ healthful focus is balanced by Sticky Fingers’ decadence?

Here’s what I’m trying to say: Sticky Fingers’ vegan chocolate brownie was richness from start to finish, whereas Vegan Divas promotes its spelt chocolate brownie as not only vegan but 100% natural, “low-cal” (ugh, spare me), and high in fiber.

Funnily enough, I far preferred Vegan Divas’ brownie to Sticky Fingers’ brownie, although I expect most people would feel the opposite. This is largely due to my antipathy for chocolate desserts, as I prefer my chocolate straight-up in bar form rather than muddled into cloying overwhelming one-dimensional sweetness in dessert form. (I’ll choose a raspberry, caramel, chestnut, or fruit-based dessert over a chocolate dessert every time.)

Objectively speaking, Sticky Fingers’ brownies are probably more what chocolate brownies should be; the one I had was extremely chocolatey, gooey, rich, and sweet. The Vegan Divas brownie, on the other hand, was drier in texture, more understated, and had a cocoa rather than melted chocolate taste. It was sweet without being overwhelmingly sugary, but also benefited from a plethora of tiny chocolate chips that contributed bursts of concentrated chocolateiness. It was simply more my style.

Plus, I was able to eat the Vegan Divas brownie warmed up with peanut butter on top as “frosting” without feeling the need to eat an entire bag of salt and vinegar chips afterwards to balance out the sugar. That’s some serious bonus points right there.

New York Delights: Hungry and Frozen, Organic Avenue Coconut Yoghurt, and Chobani SoHo

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Hannah

In October, after years of cross-Tasman Sea mutual admiration and giddy delight over All We Have In Common, the stars aligned so that the fabulous Laura of Hungry and Frozen and I could finally meet, hug, drink coffee, and swoon over each other in person.

Despite having lived a mere three hours of Australia-to-New Zealand flight-time from each other ‘most all our lives, Laura and I met for the first time in New York, which is about thirty hours of flight-time from our homes. However, considering our shared love of Broadway, inventive food, and travel, nothing could make more sense.

Laura and I began our day of New York adventuring in Williamsburg with two coffees (and her fiancé Tim) in two different cafés, the first being the Brooklyn outpost of Australia’s (represent!) Toby’s Estate. My Americano was delicious, but my main Toby’s Estate memory is of trying to convey my joy and exuberance over Laura and Tim’s recent engagement without bumping our tiny squeezy table and spilling coffee all over us.

You see, sometimes I gesticulate and hug rather wildly.

Once caffeinated, Laura and I graciously allowed Tim to depart for his own gallivanting rather than forcing him to follow us to SoHo for culinary delights. With a wealth of New York treats within our reach, Laura and I ended up opting for novelty, sweetness, and stronger bones. Calcium yay!

Earlier this year, Chobani sent me a great deal of yoghurt to try (and experiment with), but Laura had not yet experienced any Chobani fun. Subsequently, we were both intrigued by the concept of Chobani SoHo, a “Mediterranean yogurt bar … [featuring] yogurt creations made from hand-selected, artisanal ingredients”.

Laura’s interest pipped mine at the post, and so she stepped up place her order at the Chobani counter.

Within minutes, Laura was handed her Pistachio + Chocolate Yogurt Creation, described on the menu as “Decadent Dark Chocolate, Clover Honey, Turkish Pistachios, Fresh Orange, and hint of Fresh Mint”.

I love Laura greatly and deeply. However, I fear she doesn’t love me quite as much, for how else could I explain her decision to order the one Chobani SoHo creation I couldn’t bear to try? DEVIL FRUIT. THERE BE DEVIL FRUIT IN THAT THAR RAMEKIN.

It was pretty, though. Just like Laura.

Though tempted by Chobani SoHo, I ended up following my heart to the raw, organic, and vegan Organic Avenue. I’d have loved to buy everything at Organic Avenue but, unfortunately, I’m not King Midas, and so I opted for the raw vegan Coconut Yogurt with Blueberry Puree.

Made from coconut meat, coconut water, coconut sugar, vanilla powder, probiotics, blueberries, dates, lemon juice, alkaline water, nutmeg, cinnamon, mint, and salt, Organic Avenue’s raw coconut yoghurt truly tasted like yoghurt, but with a softer, lighter, hint-of-coconut edge.

I doubt I’ll ever forget sitting with Laura on a bench in a traffic island in the middle of a busy New York street, laughing, talking, and confirming that we reallytruly are soulsisters.

Laura, you are Nothing But Good yourself, and I can’t wait to swoon over your upcoming cookbook.

Gallivanting in New York: Bittersweet Joy, New Amsterdam Market, and Colourful Heirlooms

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Hannah

My third day in New York City dawned with sunshine in the sky and in my heart, for I knew in mere hours I’d be meeting my eponymous twin at the New Amsterdam Market. Many of you already know her as Hannah Kaminsky, the incredible vegan blogger, photographer, and three-times-cookbook-author behind Bittersweet Vegan, but to me she is first and foremost my inspiring, courageous, and gorgeous sisterfriend.

When I woke, I knew not that my path to Hannah would be littered with foot-obstacles of the my-new-shoes-hurt-how-about-I-buy-some-cheap-flip-flops-en-route-then-look-down-one-block-later-oops-so-much-blood-mad-dash-for-a-pharmacy-plaster-feet-in-bandaids-running-late-there-she-is-made-it! variety, but even if I had, it wouldn’t have slowed me down for a second.

Luckily, Hannah forgave my delay and led me, with a sparkling smile, straight to the New Amsterdam Market, where the first stop of our day was Pushcart Coffee for glorious iced coffee. Nothing like Starbucks’ dessert creations, these iced coffees were simply wonderfully strong yet smooth coffee, iced, and perfect to counter the humid heat of New York’s summer.

Conveniently located at the next stall was Taza Chocolate, where I indulged in both chocolate and a rapid-fire conversation with the chocolate men, ranging in topic from my hummingbird earrings to Semitic swinology to playing piano in Israel.

Look! Snozzcucumbers!

Elsewhere in the market, Hannah and I discussed whether I could get away with eating an entire jar of kimchi and/or sauerkraut in one night (consensus: no, for the sake of my heart), swooned over delicious fried tempeh, and tried zingy intense ketchup that I almost bought in order to eat with a spoon.

Of course, Hannah and I discussed a great many other things, but they remain our secret.

Look! Bubbles on the street!

After becoming mind-boggled at Bodies: The Exhibition and filling in every available second with Hannah-squared words, we got back on the subway and found ourselves saying good-bye.

No, not good-bye. À bientôt.

Thank you, Hannah, for a most gorgeous Sunday. I dedicate these plump-shining raspberries and this effervescent kombucha to you.

My fourth day was also my last in New York (for the time being, at least), and I spent it quietly, contently. If “quietly, contently” means “with a good deal of limping”, that is.

Just an enormous inflated rat with pustules on the back of a car. Nothing to see here. Carry on.

Wow, I’m really not sure how to segue away from pustules. More kombucha, anyone?

Yes, that’s better. Dear me, I do love kombucha, even though every single bottle I’ve bought in America has exploded on me upon opening.

Having grown up in a tomato-allergic household, the Union Square Greenmarket’s array of heirloom tomatoes took my breath away. I didn’t know tomatoes could look like this.

Now I know that not only can tomatoes look stunningly gorgeous, they can also make a tasty and hefty afternoon snack at three-quarters of a pound in weight.

However, as enjoyable as the tomato was, there remains a small part of me saddened that I didn’t buy these raw Oreos before my flight to Chicago the next day.

Ah well. Next time.

Gallivanting in New York: Shining, Walking, Hail Merry to the Fairytales

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Hannah

Day Two New York.

Day Two Window Reflection Proof of Existence Self-Portrait.

Day Two New York was gloriousness from the top of the morning to the close of the day.

I walked and walked and walked in the heat the heat the warmth the sun beating down radiating golden gold too hot wonderfully too hot, accents all around me singsongsingsong, Central Park wandering stopping shade sitquiet readpeoplewatch look! a lady bouncing through the green on shoes with springs beneath the soles! I walked and walked and walked and walked

every health food store, every raw snack and juice bar trilled siren songs to me and I succumbed, I succumbed, I’ve long been a water-or-coffee-thank-you-that-will-be-all girl, but I listened to the Queen of Vibrant New York, Gena, and walked 25 blocks to Juice Generation, and

I said one 12oz Hail to Kale, please, and would you mind if I had some water too, please and thank you and it was gorgeous, it was green and glowing and kale and watermelon and apple and lemon and I thought this is why people like fresh juice, because it is like bliss on a hot shining day and I could drink this forever

I walked and walked and then I stopped and laughed because the spots all the spots

but I didn’t shop at Louis Vuitton because I don’t like to shop in places where scary ladies stalk children through the glass even if we could probably trick her into getting into the oven in her gingerbread house before closing the door, maybe, I think, maybe

I walked and walked and missed a call from Mr Hiking In Utah and so I wrote back oops it seems I was too entranced by the wonderland of Victoria’s Secret to hear my phone / it is a magical place filled with ALL THE COLOURS and a good deal of lace and I bought swimmers for the first time in my life and it wasn’t as scary as I thought it might be and in fact they almost make me want to go swimming but not quite exactly but maybe

I walked and walked and saw sparks of colour amidst fences that made me think of fairytale carriages and I saw sculptures that made me laugh

and I found a myriad delicious treats to eat, I tried to only buy a few but nevertheless ended up with a hotel picnic feast

the Hail Merry Persian Lime Raw Vegan Tart was made with raw blue agave, almond flour, coconut butter, cashews, lime juice, palm sugar, coconut oil, shredded coconut, lemon juice powder, sea salt, lemon zest and it was sublime-beyond, with so much zingy-zappity in a rich meltingly buttery sweet lime-lemon-coconut-rich filling with a nutty coconut base of wonderment and they state three servings in this little tart? I say to you hah! one serving! mine all mine forever!

and I walked and walked a hundred thousand seventy blocks in the sun the warmth the smiles the dancing heart and three different people asked me for directions and for all three people I knew the answer and

was

joy.

Wayfaring Chocolate

adventures in chocolate, travel, cooking, and living

Tag Archives: New York

An Assortment of Amazing, Astonishing, and/or Awful American Snacks, Part Four

Vegan Divas Vegan Spelt Chocolate Brownie

New York Delights: Hungry and Frozen, Organic Avenue Coconut Yoghurt, and Chobani SoHo

Gallivanting in New York: Bittersweet Joy, New Amsterdam Market, and Colourful Heirlooms

Gallivanting in New York: Shining, Walking, Hail Merry to the Fairytales