Cava Mezze Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Have you ever wondered how hummus became popular with a cult following in the last few years? It seems it is on every menu, a staple party food, and coveted work snack. In fact, there is even this Buzzfeed article explaining hummus obsessions, and I relate to many of the claims.

Pureed chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice and a healthy dose of tahini paste are the building blocks of hummus. But the opportunities for the spread creations are endless. Cilantro, roasted garlic, and jalapeno are the tip of the hummus-ingredient-choices iceberg.

Similar to most people, I, too, have a slight obsession with hummus. There is something about the creamy and satisfying texture that I love. It is satiating without feeling heavy, velvety without using dairy, and zesty without using synthetic flavorings. Although, I do recommend reading ingredient labels because some generic hummus brands sneak in soybean oil, those cheats!

Cava Mezze brand does not use soybean oil in its hummus, and it is delicious. How does the roasted red pepper hummus perform in the Sans Soy test? Let's see.

Quality: In case the bright orange color did not alert you, the thick texture and garlic aroma make an authoritative stance to show this hummus means business! Tiny, crimson specks of roasted red pepper swirl around the dip. Moister than competitor's hummus, the spread is dexterous, and does not fall off carrot sticks or slip out of a makeshift tortilla.

Taste: As a result of the roasting procedure, the red peppers create a delightful sweet undertone. This perfectly complements the fiery garlic presence. As the main ingredient in hummus is a garbanzo bean, hummus may have a tendency to have an earthy undertone. Yet, this hummus is vibrant.

Price: One 8-ounce tub of hummus costs $3.99 at my local Whole Foods Market.

Overall grade: B+. This is a great hummus, and I enjoyed dipping, smearing and sandwiching it between bread. Although I liked the sweet, roasted red pepper flavor, the intensity of the flavor could be a bit much after awhile. Bonus points are given because Cava Mezze has local restaurants in the D.C., area, and are always wonderful to grab some nibbles, a glass of wine and catch up with friends.

Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

We are still in the month of February. This time of year seems to move at a glacial pace. Short days, cold weather, and dark winter skies do not assist with the enthusiasm I find myself lacking mid-winter. However, as I keep attempting to eat well and drink hot tea, I have been on the lookout for a soy free, sweet way to cheer myself up from the “blahs.”

One way I like to treat myself without feeling too guilty is by pairing my indulgence with a healthy partner. Yesterday, it was +Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams with a side of fresh, Fuji apple. The chocolate satisfied my sweet tooth, and the apple was fresh. In my book, that is a win-win scenario.

Previously, I wrote about my experience with another Peanut Butter & Co. product, White Chocolate Wonderful. The peanut butter and white chocolate spread performed well in the Sans Soy test, but did its dark chocolate sibling fare the same?

Product: Peanut Butter& Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams

Quality: The peanut butter has a consistency that is thick and velvety. A chocolate aroma with peanut undertones quickly fills the air once the jar is opened. As previously noted with the white chocolate spread, this butter does involve extra effort to smear on bread. Unlike more common peanut butter brands, the ground peanuts and oil do not separate to create an unsightly top layer when initially opening the jar.

Taste: Peanuts are detected in this spread, after all, it is peanut butter. However, the shining star is the chocolate. Ever so sweet, and slightly bitter, the chocolate enables the spread to be sweet without rotting teeth. A faint taste of vanilla rounds out the flavors.

Price: One jar of the dark chocolate peanut butter costs $6.00 from the Peanut Butter & Co. online store.

Overall grade: B+. I enjoyed the pairing of dark chocolate with peanut butter. The consistency, even being thick, was easy to blanket my apple slices without fear of slipping off. Also, it would be delicious topping a banana. In line with organic nut butters found at health food stores, the price is reasonable. But, this is not a product made with organic ingredients, which would be an addition I would happily enjoy.

P.S. The Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich at the Peanut Butter& Co. NYC Sandwich Shop looks delicious. A sandwich made with dark chocolate peanut butter, cherry jam, and shredded coconuts? Yes, please! 

Five Soy Free Treats to Enjoy this Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! In keeping with the commercialization theory about the basis of the holiday, here are five, soy free sweets. Though all of the items may not be healthy or organic, none of the items contain soy, and many are vegan! It is the day of love, so why not treat yo self? 

1.  Theo Chocolate Bars: Two Flavors

Just in time for Saint Valentine’s Day, Theo Chocolate has produced two limited edition flavors perfect for the holiday. My Cherry Baby is a 45% milk chocolate bar sprinkled with dried cherries and vanilla bean. Cinnamon Love Crunch is a chocolate bar comprising 70% dark chocolate and the spicy crunch of cinnamon brittle. Both would be excellent to share (if you are generous) or keep for yourself. 

2. Butterscotch Peanut Butter from Mimi’s Cookie Bar

Decadent with a savory side, the Butterscotch Peanut Butter is divine to spread on a saltine cracker, smother an apple slice, or even plop on a bowl of oatmeal. Although the peanut butter is not vegan, it does not contain soy.

3. Fuego Salsa from La Fundidora

Even if Cupid did not add spice to your love life, you can add some pizazz to Valentine’s Day by diving into a jar of salsa. Created with tomatoes, tomatillos and a variety of chiles, the Fuego salsa makes chips, eggs or tacos more exciting.

4. Buddha Chocolate BuddhaCup

Made with love in Brooklyn, New York, the chocolate at Buddha Chocolate is raw and sweetened with coconut palm crystals. No need to feel guilty after consuming a Buddha Cup, each treat is filled with almond butter and surrounded by dark chocolate. What a tasty way to fill up on protein and antioxidants, no?

5. inFUSED Spreads Strawberry Lavender Jam

Perfect to befriend afternoon tea or breakfast toast, this jam contains simple, soy free ingredients: strawberry, sugar, lemon juice and lavender flowers. On an ordinary day, this jam would be great, but why not sweeten up Valentine’s Day by adding it to your mid-afternoon snack routine.

Evolution Harvest Pepita, Almond, Raisin & Cranberry snack bar

Hunger. It can come fast and furious, at busy times when you are engrossed in work. With few minutes to eat a full meal, finding a quick yet healthy snack can be an obstacle to clean eating. Last week, I was in this predicament. During a short run to my local +Starbucks Coffee store, I selected an Evolution Harvest snack bar to accompany my foamy latte.

Unlike a traditional granola bar, this snack was chock-full of nuts and seeds: almond and pumpkin were the bulk of it. Raisins and cranberries, along with agave syrup and sea salt also made an appearance. My hunger was satiated with the grub, but how did the Evolution Harvest snack bar fare in the Sans Soy test?

Product: Evolution Harvest Pepita, Almond, Raisin & Cranberry with Agave Syrup & Sea Salt Snack Bar

Quality: Seeds, nuts and dried fruit are the primary characters in this snack bar. In fact, you may feel like the bird when first looking at the bar due to the large amount of visible seeds. The pepitas and almonds were not mealy, but a combination of agave syrup, brown rice syrup and pineapple juice concentrate make the snack very sticky.

Taste: This snack bar was the Goldilocks of taste: not too sweet, not too tangy and not too bitter. When eating, it would be useful to have a decent set of pearly whites as it is sticky and the plethora of seeds requires extra chewing. Perhaps, this would not be convenient to eat for those sporting braces on their chompers. There is, however, a strong salt taste underneath the sugariness. For me, I found it be overwhelming and I would not have missed it.

Price: One bar set me back $1.95.

Overall grade: B. As someone who likes a variety of nuts, seeds and other grains to fulfill nutritional needs, I greatly appreciated the deluge present in the Evolution Harvest snack bar. The sea salt was not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed the combination of dried fruits and sweet syrups as an energy source for a hectic afternoon. The bar is on the small side, boasting an average width of one inch and length of 3.5 inches, judging by the size.