Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

This cheesy post is aptly named for Sandy, the one in our household who thrived on cheese before turning vegan.  One of the sense memories that I knew would need to be replicated for Sandy to enjoy veganism is her beloved, Parmesan cheese.  Having been caught sprinkling it on nearly every vegetable or main course served, I wanted to try and replicate this joy for her vegan style.

The good news is that there are a few options, the first one we’ve found is of course, nutritional yeast, a sprinkle here, a spoonful there and the taste is really worth the shelf space in your pantry.   But, I still remained on the hunt for other alternatives.  One day while browsing through Veg News online, I popped into their store to see if there was anything I could not live without and there it was, Vegan Parm in a shaker bottle available in the VegNews store.  Shortly afterward, a bottle arrived on our doorstep and has remained in Sandy’s clutches since.

Here’s her review of Parma!  Vegan Parmesan.

Yum, let’s start there.  The flavor is truly  reminiscent of the Parmesan tang that I love so very much on my pasta, vegetables, soups, stews and many things savory.  It delivers a salty and sharp accent to my dishes in a way that I once expected my former dairy friend to do.  Parma features nutritional yeast as one of the main ingredients, but also has walnuts and sea salt in the mix.  This is the slight edge it has over just using “the nooch”.  

These added touches give Parma a more substantive cheesy flavor, a bit more satiating and satisfying.   To describe the difference in food application, I think nutritional yeast is great mixed into a pasta sauce to make it more creamy and cheesy, but Parma is bold enough to be sprinkled on top to carry off the replacement that my taste buds yearn.   It has since made its way onto my salads and various vegetables in addition to every pasta dish I’ve made since it’s arrival.  We have the Original flavor and look forward to sampling the heated Chipotle Cayenne version offered by Eat In The Raw too.  Hello new friend and welcome to our pantry (fridge after opening).   Shake your bottle and enjoy.

Have a delicious day.

Photo courtesy of Eat In The Raw.

Tags: compassionate eating, compassionate products, dairy free, Eat in the Raw, going veg, Parma, plant based diet, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan parmesan cheese, vegan products, vegan transition, vegan wannabe